Shropshire's direct rail link to London launches this weekend

Not only will it mark the end of a hard-fought campaign for residents, the service will link Shropshire to the capital to the benefit of businesses and tourists.

Virgin Trains' first service is taking to the tracks on Sunday at 3.49pm calling at Telford Central and Wellington.

The axing of a former link to London cost the region millions of pounds in trade and lost investment.

The Shropshire Star launched a petition, signed by more than 3,000 people, which was presented in Parliament by Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski in a bid to get the service reinstated.

The "use it or lose it" message will be well known by many who in recent years have faced long diversions and complicated routes.

Richard Stanton, of Virgin Trains, said: "Our new direct service from Shropshire to and from London is just a matter of days away. We couldn't be more excited and have been overwhelmed by the backing we have received from so many in the past few months."

Following the battle to reinstate the link, the Shropshire Star teamed up with Virgin Trains to offer readers the chance to the name the train which will make the inaugural journey.

The Wrekin Giant - 676 votes (37.3%)

The Flying Salopian - 469 votes (25.8)

Floreat Salopia - 353 votes (19.5%)

Wilfred Owen - 219 votes (12.1%)

Evolution - 96 votes (5.3%)

We received an incredible 800 entries and narrowed it down to five. They were The Wrekin Giant, Evolution, Floreat Salopia, The Flying Salopian and Wilfred Owen.

The winning suggestion, The Wrekin Giant, was then made into a train nameplate, which will be unveiled at a naming ceremony the day after the service begins – and the lucky winner Toni Sian Williams will attend.

The normal timetable will be two services in each direction on a weekday, departing Shrewsbury at 6.39am and 3.24pm, with arrival in Euston at 9.15am and 5.56pm.

It will call at Telford, Wellington, Wolverhampton, Birmingham New Street, Birmingham International, Coventry and Rugby.

Services back to Shropshire leave Euston at 10.23am and 6.23pm, arriving in Shrewsbury at 12.58pm and 8.55pm . The Super Voyager train will eventually travel the route at speeds of up to 125mph.

Rail bosses said last month that it would not have been possible without the support of Shropshire Star readers.