Virgin Trains to the Rescue for Stranded WSMR Passengers

LONDON, January 26, 2011 - Virgin Trains has today confirmed that it will carry passengers who will
be left stranded by the cancellation of all train services by open access
train operator Wrexham, Shropshire and Marylebone Railway (WSMR).

The announcement comes as German State Railway-backed WSMR said that it
will cease operations at the end of this week. The last day of operations
will be Friday 28 January 2011.

Passengers who have bought WSMR tickets will be able to use them on
Virgin Trains between Chester and London, including the direct train each day
between Wrexham and London, as well as trains on the Wolverhampton-London
Euston route which also serve Birmingham New Street and Birmingham
International stations.

Virgin Trains' Chief Operating Officer Chris Gibb said: "The withdrawal
of WSMR services is devastating for those passengers who have already made
travel plans and are now stranded. WSMR's collapse is also bad news for UK
railways where passengers want to be able to plan travel with confidence. We
hope that by offering them an alternative means that they will be able to
travel stress free and will not have to cancel plans to visit their families
and loved ones, or for business."

Chris Gibb also confirmed that Virgin Trains remains committed to Wrexham
and will continue to run the current Monday to Friday direct service to
London leaving at 07:00 and arriving in London at 09:38) and the return
service which leaves London Euston at 18:10 and arrives Wrexham at 20:38.

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operated the West Coast passenger train franchise since 1997; the current
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the company has been named Best Rail Operator of the Year at the Travel Globe
Awards (voted for by readers of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and Evening
Standard), and Best Rail Operator in the Group Leisure Awards (which we also
won in 2009). In 2009 we were also voted Best UK Domestic Train Service by
Business Traveller magazine for the second year running. Virgin Trains first
achieved Investors In People accreditation in 2007and this was renewed in
2010; the IiP Gold award was achieved in 2011.

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