Preston-Carlisle (Sat 28th May)

[ashworth]

I'm staying with friends near Blackpool next week and will be once again making use of the excellent value 7 Day NW Rover.
On Saturday 28th May I am planning to go to Carlisle using the 1346 Virgin Trains service that is diverted via Hellifield and Settle and arrives in Carlisle at 1609.
This is the only northbound service of the day that is running as a through train to Carlisle and Glasgow as all others are terminating at Oxenholme with replacement buses northwards from there. There is also only one southbound through service running in the morning.

As this is the only through service do people think that this train will be busy?
Could it be very crowded or might it be rather quiet because no-one knows it is actually running. Does anyone have any ideas? Will it just be single 5 car voyager?

I will probably do the return journey to Blackpool by the replacement bus to Oxenholme then change to the train from there, as that would give me chance to spend some time in Carlisle to get something to eat etc. The other alternative if I'm on time getting to Carlisle is to go back via Settle on the 1618 to Leeds and then the 1850 from Leeds to Blackpool North.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Most of the S&C diversions tend to be 2x221s, but it could change. I wouls suspect it would be fairly busy, but I suspect the second set would quiten it out a bit. Nice route anyway!

 

[WestCoast]

I used a southbound service a few weeks ago and it was very quiet indeed - there was 3 people in coach A and about 4 people in coach B.

However, I am not sure about your service.

I was on 2x221, but some of the other diverted services were just single 221s.

 

[Drimnagh Road]

Whatever happened to the railways running "more diversionery routes" instead of peasontwagon transfers?

While diverting can be just as long, when factoring in the inconvenience of having to get off a train with luggage, onto the peasontwagon, then often onto another train.

Most passengers would rather the long way around and stay on the train.

 

[MCR247]

Peasontwagon

 

[voyagerdude220]

All of the northbound diversions this year have been singles, apart from one anomaly when a Sunday 09:20 Birmingham N St to Carlisle service was a double-set with 221109 & 221115, resulting in me being the sole occupant of the FC coach I was in.

I'd like to think that VT may form both of the through services as doubles, given that they are the only direct services doing the diversion. I'm annoyed VT aren't running any others next Saturday.

When I did the 10:52 all the way from Edinburgh to Euston, it was quite busy at points, particularly Carlisle to Preston, although yesterday's 12:52 ex Edinburgh was rather quiet throughout. I was still glad it was a double on the way up though, as it looked very busy on the front set.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Hi Ashworth & all..

I'm sorry to pass this info on, but I don't think the diversions are running this weekend, going off what VT have recently published on their website..

"Route improvement work cancelled this weekend on London Euston to Scotland route"

http://mediaroom.virgintrains.co.uk/2011/05/route-improvement-work-cancelled-this.html

 

[jonesy3001]

All engineering work has been cancelled for this weekend between warrington and scotland;
http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/updates/#todaysUpdate-433

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Peasontwagon

I think this is Gaelic for " P A C E R "

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Nice to see pacer hating all over this forum now :roll:

 

[ashworth]

Hi Ashworth & all..
I'm sorry to pass this info on, but I don't think the diversions are running this weekend, going off what VT have recently published on their website..

Thanks for that information. I hadn't heard.
Never mind I will do the journey on Sunday instead. Up the WCML to Carlisle from Blackpool early afternoon and will return using the Dailsrail service.

 

[voyagerdude220]

You're welcome Ashworth.

It just makes me wonder what's going to happen regarding the planned work- will they still do it at a later time? If they don't, did it need doing in the first place?

I find it very strange that they've cancelled engineering work at short notice, although I know it's been done before.

 

[jonesy3001]

You're welcome Ashworth.

It just makes me wonder what's going to happen regarding the planned work- will they still do it at a later time? If they don't, did it need doing in the first place?

I find it very strange that they've cancelled engineering work at short notice, although I know it's been done before.

Something to do with that ash-cloud and the extra services they have put on.

 

[WestCoast]

Nice to see pacer hating all over this forum now :roll:

There's still plenty of pacer apologists about...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Something to do with that ash-cloud and the extra services they have put on.

I am glad the ash cloud was short lived.