Virgin Trains are set to be replaced by FirstGroup plc and Trenitalia UK Ltd on the West Coast mainline route this December.

The line connects North Wales with London and has been run by Virgin Trains since 1997.

Now joint venture First Trenitalia West Coast Rail Limited had been awarded the new contract by the Department for Transport.

 

Details have been released showing what benefits the new contract will bring to 10 stations across North Wales - and Gobowen and Chester just over the border.

Here are the changes being introduced

Llandudno

The front of Llandudno station

 

  • new direct connectivity to London in the summer months from May 2021
  • new fleet of bi-mode trains to serve North Wales, replacing Super Voyagers

Llandudno Junction

Llandudno Junction railway station
Llandudno Junction railway station

 

  • one additional direct journey to and from London Euston per day on Saturdays during the summer months from May 2021
  • later last trains to London Euston Monday to Friday by December 2020
  • earlier first trains and later last trains to and from London Euston on Saturdays by December 2022
  • earlier first trains from London Euston and later last trains to London Euston on Sundays from December 2022
  • new fleet of bi-mode trains to serve North Wales, replacing Super Voyagers

Bangor

  • new trains will replace Super Voyagers

Chester

  • earlier first trains and later last trains to and from London Euston on Saturdays and Sundays by December 2022
  • new trains to replace Super Voyagers

Colwyn Bay

Colwyn Bay railway station
Colwyn Bay railway station

 

  • one additional direct journey to and from London Euston per day on Saturdays during the summer months from May 2021
  • later last trains to London Euston Monday to Friday by December 2020
  • earlier first trains and later last trains to and from London Euston on Saturdays by December 2022
  • earlier first trains from London Euston and later last trains to London Euston on Sundays from December 2022
  • new fleet of bi-mode trains to serve North Wales, replacing Super Voyagers

Deganwy

  • new direct connectivity to London in the summer months, from May 2021
  • new fleet of bi-mode trains to serve North Wales, replacing Super Voyagers

Flint

Flint railway station
Flint railway station
  • new trains will replace Super Voyagers

Gobowen

  • new direct connectivity to London, with a direct journey to and from London Euston Monday to Saturday from December 2022
  • new trains to replace Super Voyagers

Holyhead

  • new trains will replace Super Voyagers

Prestatyn

  • one additional direct journey to and from London Euston per day on Saturdays during the summer months from May 2021
  • new fleet of bi-mode trains to serve North Wales, replacing Super Voyagers

Rhyl

Rhyl station
Rhyl station
  • one additional direct journey to and from London Euston per day on Saturdays during the summer months from May 2021
  • later last trains to London Euston Monday to Friday by December 2020
  • earlier first trains and later last trains to and from London Euston on Saturdays by December 2022
  • earlier first trains from London Euston and later last trains to London Euston on Sundays from December 2022
  • new fleet of bi-mode trains to serve North Wales, replacing Super Voyagers

Wrexham General

  • new trains will replace Super Voyagers