TPE Manchester-Wigan NW services (M-F):
1 to Manchester at night;
1 from Manchester to Blackpool in the morning;
1 from Manchester to Barrow at night.
Northern Rail Manchester-Wigan NW services (M-F):
2 to Manchester in the morning;
3 from Macnhester in the evening.
Trains from Hindley can only use p1 if continuing to Preston, or either p2/3 (the bays) if they terminate.
Like I say, its a common diversion, and some more TPE may pass through non-stop.
The 22:16 TPE service from manchester Airport to Carnforth runs via Bolton and then onto Wigan NW. Now that's interesting because I thought TPE drivers only ever used the Atherton line as a diversion route onto Preston if ever the Bolton line was shut. I have never known a TPE train to go through the Westhoughton route as a diversion before.
Virgin services (those on diversions and empty stock movements), tend to go via Westhoughton. I would have thought Westhoughton to be the more common route... Still, no difference timewise I suppose!
Should add that it isn't a 'diversion' as such, just a normal service, via Westhoughton at a guess a) to not lose Bolton custom and b) pathing.
