Is the train no longer a strain?

These photographs captured by a regular commuter illustrate the stark reality which faced travellers on a prime-time Shropshire train service.

But the doubling of the number of carriages on the daily Telford to Birmingham route means that train users are looking forward to a happier new year with lots more seats available for passengers.

Adrian Priest, a university lecturer, boarded the Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) service from Holyhead to Birmingham, via Shrewsbury and Telford, at Wellington at 8.35am.

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He took the pictures before ATW increased the number of carriages from two to four.

Mr Priest, who had likened journeys on the service to those on the Asian sub continent, said the move appeared to have alleviated the congestion.

He had estimated up to 300 passengers were "jam-packed" into two carriages, posing a threat to the health and safety of users.

The Wolverhampton University lecturer wrote to ATW last year, cataloguing a string of complaints and asked Arriva bosses to experience the journey for themselves.

Mr Priest said since the return to work after the Christmas break, there were now seats available every day.

"I've only been back to work for a few days, but there is lots more room and it is far, far better," he said.

"The photos were taken before I finished work for Christmas when there were only two carriages and highlighted the plight we had travelling to work. The extra carriages seem to have alleviated the problem and now there is plenty of seating."

A new timetable means the service, which continues to Birmingham International now operates five minutes later, departing Wellington at 8.40am.

Vanessa Schotes, ATW head of marketing, said: "The new timetable introduced on December 15 provides an additional seats on busy services between Shrewsbury and Birmingham. We are delighted early feedback shows this making a difference to the comfort of our passengers."

By Jo Cunninghamnextpage

Commuter Adrian Priest took pictures of a typical Wellington to Birmingham journey last year, before the number of carriages was doubled.nextpage

Commuters were used to standing on the 8.35am service from Wellington to Birmingham. nextpage

It was standing room only aboard the 8.35am service from Wellington to Birmingham