Loco hauled Virgin trains relief services after new year?

[The_Rail_WAy]

I have heard on the grape vine that after new year Virgin Trains are to run a loco hauled relief service every Friday from 30th January - running from London Euston to Preston, Lancashire (not sure on running times.) The service for me will probably be hauled by a class 90.

For me this is good news as Virgin were considering utilising a class 185 Adelante set but opted for a loco hauled service instead - bringing a bit of nostalgica back to this route.

 

[devon_metro]

Yes. 18xx relief service to Preston FO

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

confirmed - cheers

 

[Donny Dave]

Where's the stock coming from though?

 

[andylloyd]

Where's the stock coming from though?

Is the stock not already being used by Virgin???

 

[Guinness]

Is this via New Street or straight up TV?

 

[xtradj]

probably the most pointless service ever

passengers for warrington, wigan and crewe will all use the 18.30 euston - glasgow service as its direct and quick

the relief service at 18.46 calls at lichfield tv, tamworth, stafford, bank quay, wigan and preston arriving at 21.55

however the 19.30 euston - glasgow gets to preston at 21.44, 11 mins earlier than the 18.46... so its easier and quicker for passengers warrington and beyond to wait!

so for me, the relief service is only likely to be used by lichfield tv and tamworth passengers, and some stafford ( they can use quicker piccadilly service )dont see any need for it to go any further than crewe?

 

[devon_metro]

Where's the stock coming from though?

Cargo D

 

[rail-britain]

probably the most pointless service ever

passengers for warrington, wigan and crewe will all use the 18.30 euston - glasgow service as its direct and quick
the relief service at 18.46 calls at lichfield tv, tamworth, stafford, bank quay, wigan and preston arriving at 21.55

however the 19.30 euston - glasgow gets to preston at 21.44, 11 mins earlier than the 18.46... so its easier and quicker for passengers warrington and beyond to wait!

so for me, the relief service is only likely to be used by lichfield tv and tamworth passengers, and some stafford ( they can use quicker piccadilly service )dont see any need for it to go any further than crewe?

The main point of the service is to provide extra capacity, it may be slower but at least it gives ticketing options rather than "no service - all full"
Agreed though, little if any point in passengers for Wigan and Preston getting it!

 

[37412]

The main point of the service is to provide extra capacity, it may be slower but at least it gives ticketing options rather than "no service - all full"
Agreed though, little if any point in passengers for Wigan and Preston getting it!

Isn't it S/D only after Euston as well meaning its no good for anyone wanting to go Tamworth, Litchfield to Warrington/Wigan/Preston as if they got on they will be chung for a ticket from Euston?!

 

[EE Type 3]

Is this via New Street or straight up TV?

Via New Street IIRC
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Cargo D

Isn't the Virgin stock being refurbed, with Cargo D stock being used while the Virgin stock is OOS.

 

[xtradj]

Via New Street IIRC
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Isn't the Virgin stock being refurbed, with Cargo D stock being used while the Virgin stock is OOS.

calls at lichfield tv and tamworth though? surely it wouldnt need to go via new street

 

[37412]

calls at lichfield tv and tamworth though? surely it wouldnt need to go via new street

It doesn't, its via the TV.

 

[37402]

Cargo-D 'Wheelflat Express' stock and EWS skoda.

 

[Techniquest]

So really the cheapest way of copping this in is an Euston to Lichfield ticket? Great...

 

[Ascot]

18:46 service to Preston from 9th Jan Friday Only

20s01 - Tamworth
20s09 - Lichfield TV
20s35 - Stafford
21s26 - Warington BQ
21s38 - Wigan N W
22:55 - Preston

So yes cheapest is Euston to Tamworth as it's all set down.

 

[Chilled Phill]

Wow, calling at Stafford and not Crewe?

Oh, Virgin, if only I could understand your logic...

 

[87015]

18:46 service to Preston from 9th Jan Friday Only

Sure its the 9th? I had heard/thought/presumed is started on the 29th

Also, 4 hours ten minutes Euston-Preston, are we sure its not goyle hauled??!

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

I was believed to think this relief service began from 29th January.nI know similar things have been done on Bank Holidays etc.

 

[xtradj]

Sure its the 9th? I had heard/thought/presumed is started on the 31st

Also, 4 hours ten minutes Euston-Preston, are we sure its not goyle hauled??!

its actually quicker to get the 19.30 if travelling to preston! so can only see that service being used if they reduce fares?

and also virgin seem to want to write off crewe and let london midland take all the fares to london. only 1 virgin per hour from 25th jan, the Pic - Wilmslow - Euston train, as soon the Lime St trains wont stop there either

 

[Pumbaa]

I thought the N Wales called there?

 

[xtradj]

I thought the N Wales called there?

you may be right!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
ive always wondered, who ever uses the 23.43 Wol - Euston service?

or is it there as a connector from a holyhead ferry - bham service?

 

[Pumbaa]

I've used it dozens of times before - all having stepped off the XC Service from Scotland as I've finished a few days or a week hiking around. I'm always surprised at how busy it when leaving NS and International, especially Fridays.

 

[AlexS]

I've used both the 2340 Euston to Wolves and 2343 Wolves to Euston on multiple occasions - both well patronised generally!

 

[Ascot]

Sure its the 9th? I had heard/thought/presumed is started on the 29th

Also, 4 hours ten minutes Euston-Preston, are we sure its not goyle hauled??!

Not a clue in the world, I just read the timetable.

 

[The_Rail_WAy]

20s01 - Tamworth
20s09 - Lichfield TV
20s35 - Stafford
21s26 - Warington BQ
21s38 - Wigan N W
22:55 - Preston

Must be a typo - arrival Preston 21:55 as it does not take I hour 17 minutes to travel between Wigan and Preston! Not sure if the set will return back in the evening though.

 

[37412]

Not sure if the set will return back in the evening though.

ECS to Crewe CS I believe.

 

[metrocammel]

its actually quicker to get the 19.30 if travelling to preston! so can only see that service being used if they reduce fares?

It's probably just to stop Skoda bashers rioting. They will begin to get withdrawal symptoms after a month of no VT LHCS

There's even been rumours of non-Skoda traction.... now that would cause froth!!

 

[Guinness]

Are there any 87 operators left since GBRf got rid? Or have they all gone to Europe?

 

[alex57601]

Cargo-D stock is to be used for the 90 FO to Preston until Virgin gets its own rake of refurbished Mk.3s back which should be sometime around April/May/June, and I think some people on here are going to be a little disappointed with the refurb once it's released.

Are there any 87 operators left since GBRf got rid? Or have they all gone to Europe?

The only mainline registered 87 nowadays is ACLG/ETL's 87002, and at the minute the only operator that is hiring 87002 is GBRf for the Christmas period.

It wouldn't make sense to use 87002 on the relief though as you would need to carry out refresher courses for drivers on the 87 for just the one turn a week, whereas drivers already sign 90s. Therefore the most logical solution is to stick with the 90s.