Frequent cancellations/bustitutions r/e late Northern services from Manchester - reason?

[Howardh]

Yet again as I try to book a night out in Manchester, I'm met with the normal timetable scrapped and (eg for tonight 12/09) the 2308 and 2337 services to Bolton cancelled and replaced by buses (from Oxford Rd I think). This seems to be happening an awful lot recently, but no reason given.

So can anyone clarify me what's happening? Is it works on the line (I'm aware of the Wigan electrification but should that affect us?) or staff shortages, or an on-running dispute?? Maybe a mix of all three??

Thanks!!

 

[scrapy]

Engineering possession between Bolton and Euxton junction. Blackpool service diverted via Chat Moss, not stopping at stations between Salford Crescent and Buckshaw (retimed to run at 23.03 and 23.43 from Oxford Rd), although 23.43 cancelled this evening due to train crew shortage. Hence buses to Bolton.

 

[Howardh]

Engineering possession between Bolton and Euxton junction. Blackpool service diverted via Chat Moss, not stopping at stations between Salford Crescent and Buckshaw (retimed to run at 23.03 and 23.43 from Oxford Rd), although 23.43 cancelled this evening due to train crew shortage. Hence buses to Bolton.

Thanks for the info, how long will the engineering last - although when if ends I suppose another set will take over

 

[scrapy]

These particular engineering works end tonight. The works are only between Blackrod and Buckshaw so unlikely to be anything to do with Wigan electrification works.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Sep 2024 ==

There is a 23.14 train to Bolton from Manchester Vic calling at Salford Central & Crescent if this is any good. Appears to be full train service next week.

 

[Howardh]

These particular engineering works end tonight. The works are only between Blackrod and Buckshaw so unlikely to be anything to do with Wigan electrification works.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Sep 2024 ==

There is a 23.14 train to Bolton from Manchester Vic calling at Salford Central & Crescent if this is any good. Appears to be full train service next week.

Hopefully next week; can't rely on getting from Oxford Rd to Vic for that train, if TPX is delayed. And that's the side of town I'll be drinking in! Give it a miss and try next week, hopefully the 2336 will run OK!

 

[Whisky Papa]

Yet again as I try to book a night out in Manchester, I'm met with the normal timetable scrapped and (eg for tonight 12/09) the 2308 and 2337 services to Bolton cancelled and replaced by buses (from Oxford Rd I think). This seems to be happening an awful lot recently, but no reason given.

So can anyone clarify me what's happening? Is it works on the line (I'm aware of the Wigan electrification but should that affect us?) or staff shortages, or an on-running dispute?? Maybe a mix of all three??

Thanks!!

I do sympathise, I have a friend who lives in Wilmslow and I always check his train service before arranging a date to meet in Manchester.

I'm sure somebody could give a more technical explanation, but in short there is a regular programme of Monday to Thursday overnight engineering possessions - am I right this is known as Section 7? These generally start before the end of the evening passenger service and finish in time for all but the very earliest starts in the morning, although empty stock moves prior to the start of service can be severely impacted. Indeed, I spent a year planning the unit diagrams to accommodate these changes. Some of these came round so regularly I could eventually pretty much copy and paste the required changes in my sleep, others were one-offs.

For reasons I never understood, this is far more prevalent in the western side of Northern's operating area than the eastern; for example, it is exceedingly rare on the Calder Valley line (fortunately for me). I couldn't comment on other parts of the country.