Wales and Borders

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Franchise(s):	Wales and Borders Trains 14 October 2001 – 7 December 2003
Main region(s):	South West, Wales
Other region(s):	North West, London
Fleet size:
Stations:
Parent company:	National Express
Web site:	www.walesandborders.co.uk

Wales and Borders was the name of a train operating company that operated between 14 October 2001 and 7 December 2003. It was formed from part of the former Wales and West franchise (the remainder forming Wessex Trains) and the Cardiff Railway Company (which traded as Valley Lines), together with the lines from Shrewsbury to Pwllheli and Aberystwyth formerly operated by Central Trains.

Like the Wales and West and Cardiff Railway Company franchises it replaced, it was part of the National Express Group. It was based in Cardiff.

In September 2003 the lines west of Crewe, through Chester to Holyhead, Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog previously operated by First North Western were transferred to Wales and Borders. The company only ran the majority of trains in Wales and the Borders for about three months before the franchise ended.

In July 2003 the Strategic Rail Authority announced that from 7 December 2003 the franchise would be awarded for a 15 year period (subject to satisfactory reviews after 5 and 10 years) to Arriva Trains Wales.

Preceded by Valley Lines Valley Lines franchise ---- Wales and West Wales and West franchise

Operator of Wales and Borders franchise 2001-2003

Succeeded by Arriva Trains Wales

Defunct train operating companies:
InterCity:	Anglia Railways - Great Western Trains
London & South East:	Connex South Central - Connex South Eastern - First Great Eastern - First Great Western Link South Eastern Trains - Thames Trains - Thameslink - wagn
Regional:	Arriva Trains Merseyside - Arriva Trains Northern - First North Western - MTL - North Western Trains Northern Spirit - ScotRail - Valley Lines - Wales and Borders - Wales and West - Wessex Trains