Well they've now corrected the anomalies I highlighted earlier in this thread about an early morning Carlisle bound diversion supposedly calling at Hellifield at 07:13 (it isn't) and omitting calling at Warrington Bank Quay on it's way north from Crewe (it will be calling at WBQ as normal).
TBH there's not much point doing this for a two-week diversion. Leeds-Carlisle trains will still be running so what options would this really open up? The market for leisure passengers looking to travel from Preston and other WCML stations to the small towns and villages along the Settle-Carlisle will be pretty slim in January.
I agree- Appleby or Langwathby would make a great deal of sense (though during the two weekends the M6 is shut onward travel by car or public transport will be difficult)
I agree Appleby would be very beneficial for locals, but would it be practical if it was a 10 car train? Having said that can Appleby even hold 5 cars? Do Everos have SDO?
If you mean railway enthusiasts, there will always be plenty at any location when something out of the ordinary is happening on the railways
I suppose they could just ask anyone wanting to get off to move to the first few cars or something. But it's a good point right enough.
Appleby has the longest platform on the route, certainly capable of holding a 5 coach 805- can hold a maximum of 7 805 coaches. It's probably a throwback to the long trains that operated when it was the only open station on the line.
Unfortunately the bi-mode 805s are 5-car with no gangway between sets (like the Voyagers before them) so there is no "moving forward to the front 5 cars" unless people do it at an earlier station...
The voyagers most certainly did not have a gangway. If 7 coaches fit on the platform then that means only 3 will be off so surely there is selective door opening?
No. The Everos do not have standard premium
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
I'd be surprised if that train has genuinely sold out already, because it seems like every other train has plenty of availability.
And that is why 'Sold out' should only be used if true.
I strongly agree with you. I suspect there might be some sort of timing/timetable issue with this specific train which is why Avanti haven't released it for sale, despite almost all other trains that day having already been released as far as I can see. There do seem to be the odd diversionary train on other dates also not available to book yet.And that is why 'Sold out' should only be used if true.
To the uninitiated it means 'Make other arrangements', and unsurprisingly they do.
Unless truly sold out, something like 'Not currently available' would be much more sensible.
But what would I know?
Well I booked Sandwell and Dudley to Carlisle on the 4th and return on the 5th on the GWR app seamed very straight forward didn't seam the point on splitting them due to how cheap they were already
Many years ago (1987?) a special stop had to be arranged at Hellifield for about 20 passengers bound for Carlisle and beyond who had all independently been advised by staff at Skipton to catch a Morecambe train to Hellifield to pick up one of the diversions - none of which was booked to stop. Neither was the normal S&C train….
Avanti have told me it’s because there timetabling team are finalising some things then it will be available. You can book it for the 1 and 2 of January.
I am currently in contact with Avanti regarding walk-up tickets, they said they weren't aware that there was no 'Any Permitted' ticket, and they have escalated it, I will of course post an update when I get a reply, as of now, walk-up tickets are still showing as not valid in Fujitsu Journey Planner
Thank you for asking Avanti about it. I'm surprised they're not aware, because there are several examples of tickets which are only valid like you say via the WCML, be it route via Lancaster or Penrith etc.
