06:53 Crewe to London Double Voyager

[bengolding]

The 06:53 Crewe to London service is formed by the 05:35 from Lancaster and 04:50 from Holyhead, which both couple at Crewe to form the 06:53.

The Lancaster arrives at 06:42 and the Holyhead at 06:47, so forms the rear set. However, recently, the Lancaster was formed of only 4 carriages and so it always had to form the rear set due to it needing to form the Wrexham service later.

Is this still the case as I noticed that the Holyhead portion arrived before the Lancaster one today?

If one Voyager is just a few minutes late, that delays the departure of the 06:53 due to coupling. Wouldn't it be easier to run both as 2 separate services to Euston? It avoids potential problems of a few weeks back when the Holyhead portion failed to arrive at Crewe meaning the 06:53 was cancelled.

Also of interest is that only the Lancaster portion has 2 First Class coaches (ONE BEING THE sTANDARD COMPOSITE COACH). tHE hOLYHEAD HAS ONLY ONE!

 

[Geezertronic]

However, recently, the Lancaster was formed of only 4 carriages....

I thought all of VT's 221s were formed of 5 carriages so how would that be possible?

 

[bengolding]

Noticed this morning that the First Class breakfast options on the Super Voyager have changed. Gone is the mini Grill, replaced by a tiny non-edible bacon roll or a tiny meat tart which is in no way comparable to the Pendolino offering.

Not at all filling or good value (appreciate it is complimentary). On the contrary, the Evening Meal on the Voyager is often better and more substantial than the Pendolino offering, which basically consists of a small tart with a few salad leaves and tomato.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

All Virgin Voyagers are now 5-cars, yes, except the one which had one carriage alight at Lockerbie, so it could be that. I believe that in the case of the 0653 Crewe-Euston, if one set is reasonably late then they run separately, though obviously this is preferably avoided, due to paths and staffing. I do think however that the allowance for such an event is included in the staff's roster.

 

[calc7]

There's one set running around a coach down due to (iirc) engine fire damage.

 

[sprinterguy]

I thought all of VT's 221s were formed of 5 carriages so how would that be possible?

221101 is presently reduced to four carriages due to, I believe, a traction motor fire on one of the carriages in the Lockerbie area a while ago when all the flooding was going on. It works a fixed diagram that includes leading the 09:10 Euston to Holyhead, and presumably working the 05:35 from Lancaster beforehand as set out by the OP.

 

[Geezertronic]

221101 is presently reduced to four carriages due to, I believe, a traction motor fire on one of the carriages in the Lockerbie area a while ago when all the flooding was going on. It works a fixed diagram that includes leading the 09:10 Euston to Holyhead, and presumably working the 05:35 from Lancaster beforehand as set out by the OP.

Interesting. Is there at least one carriage in a 5 car 221 set that can be removed without impacting the set?

 

[Wikipedia]

Interesting. Is there at least one carriage in a 5 car 221 set that can be removed without impacting the set?

Any middle car (Non Driving) I would imagine due to all having engines. As long as TMS recognises it as a 4 car!

 

[craig87034]

It works a fixed diagram.

0535 Lancaster-Euston
0910 Euston-Holyhead
1358 Holyhead-Euston
1810 Euston-Wrexham General

 

[Philip Elliott]

221101 will be back out shortly as a 5-car - everything is back to being 5-car now.

 

[Welshman]

0535 Lancaster-Euston
0910 Euston-Holyhead
1358 Holyhead-Euston
1810 Euston-Wrexham General

It works that diagram in theory!

I was on the 1810 Euston-Holyhead a few weeks back, and it was formed of the 4-car set.
The result was four rammed coaches for the N.Wales coast and 5 coaches of fresh air for Wrexham!

Obviously the 0535 off Lancaster must have been late that morning!

 

[merlodlliw]

It works that diagram in theory!

I was on the 1810 Euston-Holyhead a few weeks back, and it was formed of the 4-car set.
The result was four rammed coaches for the N.Wales coast and 5 coaches of fresh air for Wrexham!

Obviously the 0535 off Lancaster must have been late that morning!

When I have used the 1810, the Wrexham half contains very large numbers for Chester, I agree those not in the loop would not be aware & depends what the boards say at Euston,we do of course know why the VT runs from Wrexham & its not due to demand, 98% are local commuters using the VT when ATW gave it the path.

Bob