Avanti West Coast via Settle (for WCML Bridge replacement next January?)

[hexagon789]

Change of route excesses yes. Time restriction, no.

NRCOT 9.5.1 refers.

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[tram21]

How busy are the services likely to be? I’m planning on travelling on 1Z37/1Z40 tomorrow and am trying to work out if I should book a seat (they’re only really left in the quiet coach) or scramble for unreserved coach C on the day?

I don't think they'll be too busy. I'd probably get a reservation then move if there's avaliable seats elsewhere.

 

[voyagerdude220]

So far today, the small number of diversionary runs I've seen have been far from crowded, even the 5-car leaving Wigan at 07:54 towards Carlisle.

Maybe passenger numbers could potentially increase over the Weekend before some people return to work on Monday?

 

[55004]

I have booked Advanced tickets on the Avanti site for Sunday 11th Jan, 09.22 ex Wolverhampton and 14.18 return, plenty of seat availability.

 

[Ayman Ilham]

So far today, the small number of diversionary runs I've seen have been far from crowded, even the 5-car leaving Wigan at 07:54 towards Carlisle.

Maybe passenger numbers could potentially increase over the Weekend before some people return to work on Monday?

I've seen a 10 car pass my local station (Cherry Tree near Blackburn) almost empty (people with a whole carriage to themselves) on the 14:21 from Carlisle to Wigan.

 

[The Planner]

I've seen a 10 car pass my local station (Cherry Tree near Blackburn) almost empty (people with a whole carriage to themselves) on the 14:21 from Carlisle to Wigan.

It will be interesting to see what the passenger numbers are after the event.

 

[185143]

It will be interesting to see what the passenger numbers are after the event.

New Year's Day is usually less busy in my experience but the very low takeup on the diverts is quite concerning really. I'm on the first Northbound tomorrow, which has always been lightly loaded. Did it plenty of times under Virgin as a 5 car Voyager. Could often get a table to myself the whole way.

Fully justifies the "too much effort" stance Avanti/Virgin have had for years though, if they're running diverts and they aren't being used.

Maybe once Carlisle-Lockerbie reopens numbers will increase?

 

[Ayman Ilham]

New Year's Day is usually less busy in my experience but the very low takeup on the diverts is quite concerning really. I'm on the first Northbound tomorrow, which has always been lightly loaded. Did it plenty of times under Virgin as a 5 car Voyager. Could often get a table to myself the whole way.

Fully justifies the "too much effort" stance Avanti/Virgin have had for years though, if they're running diverts and they aren't being used.

Maybe once Carlisle-Lockerbie reopens numbers will increase?

Passenger numbers would be better if it also stopped at Blackburn, Clitheroe and a few stations along Settle-Carlisle, but I appreciate Avanti don't have anything to do with these stations anyway so it would be pointless unless it became a regular service.

 

[Halwynd]

I imagine they'll be busy from Monday when the trains call at Preston.

 

[185143]

Ue

I imagine they'll be busy from Monday when the trains call at Preston.

Yes, that too tbh.

Almost certainly sways the Manchester-Glasgow demand in favour of the diverts over ECML.

 

[voyagerdude220]

This evening's 20:03 Carlisle to Crewe cancelled due to a train fault.

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I notice looking on Realtime Trains that the majority of diverted Avanti services today seem to have lost several minutes today over the Settle and Carlisle, giving me the impression they're a bit slower compared with the 221s they replaced.

 

[Adam0984]

This evening's 20:03 Carlisle to Crewe cancelled due to a train fault.

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I notice looking on Realtime Trains that the majority of diverted Avanti services today seem to have lost several minutes today over the Settle and Carlisle, giving me the impression they're a bit slower compared with the 221s they replaced.

The first northbound was running behind the slightly delayed 0747 Leeds to Carlisle and caught it up a couple of times in the long signal sections

 

[voyagerdude220]

The first northbound was running behind the slightly delayed 0747 Leeds to Carlisle and caught it up a couple of times in the long signal sections

Ok thanks.

 

[j37401]

Did all diagrams run today? I believe that Colas are now doing the route conducting over the S&C instead of DBC and that they may not have enough drivers to cover all turns?

 

[voyagerdude220]

Did all diagrams run today? I believe that Colas are now doing the route conducting over the S&C instead of DBC and that they may not have enough drivers to cover all turns?

Yes, the only cancellation has been the 20:03 from Carlisle due to a train fault.

 

[185143]

On the first Northbound divert now. It's dead. Think the rear unit is locked out.

I'm sat in Coach D, wandered up to the shop in Coach B before and counted 6 people including myself. 1st class is pretty busy mind.

Sat near a couple of, judging by the conversation, Avanti PR people. There's plenty of video footage being planned of the bridge works and these diverts crossing Ribblehead Viaduct so that should be good to see.

Be aware as well anyone planning to do the diverts, until they resume serving Preston at least, the trains are having limited opportunities to get restocked. I've had the last bacon roll already on here!

 

[Rail Quest]

1Z33 has been terminated at Hellifield due to repeated engine faults. All passengers have been advised to take the next Northern service on to Carlisle. Unsure what's happening with 805004, the unit on this service.

RTT link for the train: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:S11776/2026-01-02/detailed

 

[Bayum]

1Z33 has been terminated at Hellifield due to repeated engine faults. All passengers have been advised to take the next Northern service on to Carlisle. Unsure what's happening with 805004, the unit on this service.

RTT link for the train: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:S11776/2026-01-02/detailed

And it’s a 2 car 158 in the form of 158790

 

[ChrisC]

1Z33 has been terminated at Hellifield due to repeated engine faults. All passengers have been advised to take the next Northern service on to Carlisle. Unsure what's happening with 805004, the unit on this service.

RTT link for the train: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:S11776/2026-01-02/detailed

It will be a bit cold on the platform at Hellifield this morning. There’s not much to do there if there are too many passengers to be accommodated on a 2 carriage 158. I feel sorry for others trying to board this Northern 158 train at even more isolated stations between Hellifield and Carlisle.

 

[Wiganlad]

was on the 0751 from Wigan been dumped at Hellifield as trim broken down it will be fun trying to get on the Northern train to Carlisle I thought at least they would do an emergency stop on the next Carlisle train

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Jan 2026 ==

It will be a bit cold on the platform at Hellifield this morning. There’s not much to do there if there are too many passengers to be accommodated on a 2 carriage 158. I feel sorry for others trying to board this Northern 158 train at even more isolated stations between Hellifield and Carlisle.

It would have been better to cancel at Clitheroe

 

[Bayum]

was on the 0751 from Wigan been dumped at Hellifield as trim broken down it will be fun trying to get on the Northern train to Carlisle I thought at least they would do an emergency stop on the next Carlisle train

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Jan 2026 ==


It would have been better to cancel at Clitheroe

Emergency stop?
Was 805004 able to move off the platform?

 

[Rail Quest]

Was 805004 able to move off the platform?

Yes, with one of the engines not running. Speaking to the train manager earlier, he said they needed all three running to handle gradients on the S&C so, even with two running, it can't go forward.

 

[Bayum]

Yes, with one of the engines not running. Speaking to the train manager earlier, he said they needed all three running to handle gradients on the S&C so, even with two running, it can't go forward.

And did everyone manage to get on the 158?

 

[Uk02048]

Emergency stop?
Was 805004 able to move off the platform?

Was going to take a run up there tommorrow AM from Crewe, but i was concerned about cold weather and Evero known diesel reliability and being stuck somewhere desolate. Not sure if Hellifield even has decent / warm shelter - dont think it does. Hopefully the 158 will be able to accomodate a light load but seems unlikely

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Emergency stop?
Was 805004 able to move off the platform?

Looks to be turning at Settle Jn and returning to Wigan ECS as 5Z33.

Realtime Trains | 5Z33 0947 Hellifield to Settle Jn | 02/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Z33 0947 departure from Hellifield to Settle Jn on 02/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Z33 1011 Settle Jn to Wigan North Western | 02/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Z33 1011 departure from Settle Jn to Wigan North Western on 02/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Rail Quest]

And did everyone manage to get on the 158?

As far as I can see, yes thankfully.

 

[Wiganlad]

Even us with our two dogs

 

[anothertyke]

Yes, with one of the engines not running. Speaking to the train manager earlier, he said they needed all three running to handle gradients on the S&C so, even with two running, it can't go forward.

Reached Settle Jn, then empty to Wigan. However the steepest gradient is Wilpshire so will be interesting to see how it goes up there,

 

[Halwynd]

Was going to take a run up there tommorrow AM from Crewe, but i was concerned about cold weather and Evero known diesel reliability and being stuck somewhere desolate. Not sure if Hellifield even has decent / warm shelter - dont think it does. Hopefully the 158 will be able to accomodate a light load but seems unlikely

I was going to have a ride and a few hours in Carlisle yesterday but there's just too much goes wrong on today's railway.

 

[Bertie the bus]

It would have been better to cancel at Clitheroe

In what way would it have been better to terminate it at Clitheroe? Most passengers travel for a reason and that reason is to get to their destination. If it had terminated at Clitheroe the only option would have been to return to Blackburn, then over to Leeds. Instead of arriving at Carlisle at 12:02 as they will now they would have arrived at 16:00. Is that really better?