:Wales and Borders
{{about|the former train operating company|the current franchise|Wales & Borders franchise}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox rail company
| logo = Waleslogo.png
| name = Wales and Borders
| image = 158823 at Bristol Temple Meads.JPG
| caption = Class 158 Express Sprinter at {{stnlnk|Bristol Temple Meads}} in 2003
| franchise = Wales & Borders
14 October 2001 – 6 December 2003
| regions = South Wales, Mid Wales
| secregions = West Country
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| abbr = WB
| parent_company = National Express
| website =
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|successor=Arriva Trains Wales|predecessors=Valley Lines, Wales & West}}
Wales and Borders[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/03007927 Companies House extract company no 3007927] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419014137/http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/03007927 |date=19 April 2014 }} Cardiff Railway Company Limited was a train operating company in the United Kingdom owned by National Express that operated the Wales & Borders franchise from October 2001 until December 2003.
History
In October 1996, the Valley Lines franchise commenced operating services around Cardiff and the South Wales Valleys. In August 2000, the Strategic Rail Authority decided to re-organise the Valley Lines and Wales & West franchises.{{cite web|title=New franchise for Wales and Borders confirmed: competition launched for new franchise|url=https://www.railhub2.co.uk/rh7/archive/arc_article.php?doc=2000-08-08%20SRA-001|date=8 August 2000|publisher=Railhub|accessdate=9 March 2025}}
Valley Lines became Wales & Borders from October 2001, being operated by National Express, combining its services with most of Wales & West's Welsh services and the Cambrian Line services from Central Trains.{{cite web|title=Strategic Rail Authority: Separation of Wales and West|date=13 September 2001|url=https://www.railhub2.co.uk/rh7/archive/arc_article.php?doc=2001-09-13%20SRA-001|publisher=Railhub|accessdate=9 March 2025}} In September 2003 Wales & Borders took over the North Wales Coast Line services from First North Western.
Services
Wales and Borders operated passenger services in Wales and the West Country as seen in their route map, retaining the Alphaline branding on longer services.{{cite web|url=http://www.walesandborderstrains.co.uk/uploads/documents/106.pdf|title=Wales and Borders Trains |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030614202259/http://www.walesandborderstrains.co.uk/uploads/documents/106.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 June 2003|date=14 June 2003}} It also operated services to Liverpool Lime Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Birmingham International, Penzance and London Waterloo.
On 14 October 2001, the services from Birmingham New Street to Chester, Aberystwyth, and Pwllheli operated by Central Trains were transferred.[https://web.archive.org/web/20011021194557/http://www.walesandborderstrains.co.uk/ Wales & Borders Trains – more than just a new name for Wales & West in Wales] Wales & Borders introduction
On 28 September 2003, the services from Birmingham New Street, Crewe and Manchester Piccadilly to Llandudno and Holyhead as well as those between Bidston and Wrexham Central and Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog operated by First North Western were also transferred.[https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmwelaf/458/45807.htm The Wales and Borders Franchise] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806181949/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmwelaf/458/45807.htm |date=6 August 2017 }} House of Commons Select Committee on Welsh Affairs Third Report 17 March 2004
Rolling stock
Wales and Borders inherited a fleet of Class 142, Class 143 and Class 150s from Valley Lines and Class 158s from Wales & West and Central Trains. From First North Western it inherited Class 153 and Class 175s.
Wales and Borders also used Mark 2 carriages on Rhymney Line and Fishguard Harbour services hauled by English Welsh & Scottish EWS Class 37s and Mark 2 carriages hauled by English Welsh & Scottish Class 47s on North Wales Coast Line services.{{cite web|url=http://www.hondawanderer.com/Class_37_4.htm|title=Martin Loader's Railway Photography – Class 37|website=www.hondawanderer.com|access-date=22 September 2012|archive-date=9 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809000855/http://www.hondawanderer.com/Class_37_4.htm|url-status=live}}[http://sulzerpower.com/geocities/nwc/fnwdiagrams.html class 47's on First North Western] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024065916/http://sulzerpower.com/geocities/nwc/fnwdiagrams.html |date=24 October 2012 }} Sulzer Power
Depot
Wales and Borders' fleet was maintained at Cardiff Canton depot.
Demise
On 1 August 2003, the Strategic Rail Authority awarded the new franchise to Arriva with the services operated by Wales & Borders transferring to Arriva Trains Wales on 7 December 2003.[https://web.archive.org/web/20030803151250/http://www.sra.gov.uk/news/20030801_sra_announce_preferred_bidder.tt2 SRA Announces Preferred Bidder for New Integrated Wales Franchise] Strategic Rail Authority Press Release 1 August 2003[http://www.arriva.co.uk/arriva/en/media_centre/press_releases/2003/2003-08-01 Arriva selected to operate the news Wales and borders franchise] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130202824/http://www.arriva.co.uk/arriva/en/media_centre/press_releases/2003/2003-08-01/ |date=30 November 2010 }} Arriva Press Release 1 August 2003
References
{{reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-bef|before=First North Western
North Western Trains franchise
(North Wales Coast services)}}
{{s-ttl|rows=3|title=Operator of Wales & Borders franchise
|years=2001–2003}}
{{s-aft|rows=3|after=Arriva Trains Wales}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Valley Lines
Valley Lines franchise}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Wales & West
Wales & West franchise}}
{{s-end}}
{{UK TOCs|defunct|state=collapsed}}
{{NEXG}}
{{Transport in Wales|state=collapsed}}
Category:Defunct train operating companies in the United Kingdom
Category:Railway companies established in 2001
Category:Railway companies disestablished in 2003
Category:Rail transport in Wales