Welsh Marches line

Welsh Marches line
An Arriva Trains Wales Class 175 approaching Craven Arms
Overview
OwnerNetwork Rail
Locale
Termini
  • Newport
  • Crewe/Chester
Stations17 (Newport to Crewe) 15 (Newport to Chester)
Service
SystemNational Rail
Technical
Line length84.38 miles (135.80 km)
Number of tracksDouble track throughout
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Operating speed60-90mph
Route map

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The Welsh Marches line (Welsh: Llinell y Mers), known historically as the North and West Route, is the railway line running from Newport in south-east Wales to Shrewsbury in the West Midlands region of England by way of Abergavenny, Hereford and Craven Arms and thence (by some definitions) to Crewe via Whitchurch. The line thus links the south of Wales to north-west England via the Welsh Marches region, bypassing Birmingham. Through services from south-west Wales, Swansea and Cardiff to Manchester (hourly in each direction) and from Cardiff to Wrexham, Chester, the north coast of Wales and Anglesey (every two hours in each direction) constitute the bulk of passenger operations on the route.