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

[AlterEgo]

The concern with running 5 cars was due to engine unreliability. It’s not been to bad in the end, I think 2 cancellations attributed to GU issues since it started.

Any idea what caused 805007 to die this morning? Was it GU also?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Jan 2026 ==

although that would have had traincrew and hence training (route learning or conductor) cost implications.. Also assumes that there are enough paths.

You're repeating my own point in the post you're quoting, which is that I am unsure about the staffing and pathing implications.

 

[JTR60]

Looks like there is only one double set out today, the other two are singles. So only 4 805’s on the S&C services (+ 007 failed at Carlisle). A check on the rest of the class shows 008 working a Preston to Euston service, 009 at Crewe, 011 & 012 out of service and the rest are on Euston to North Wales duties.

 

[Amaranthe]

Would Carlisle to Preston via S&C count as an eligible journey for Club Avanti purposes? (Over 75 miles)

 

[Acathater]

Seemed to be problems at Preston yesterday evening
At 18:40 the departure board was showing an 18:07 departure from platform 5 as "delayed" with no explanation, or expected departure time. Meanwhile platform 5 held a 10-car 805 (002 + either 005 or 007 - I can't remember), completely empty, diesels ticking over. Whether this was the intended set to be used was anyone's guess. No tannoy announcements about it at all.

 

[wilbers]

Would Carlisle to Preston via S&C count as an eligible journey for Club Avanti purposes? (Over 75 miles)

The normal route is over 75 miles.

 

[Carlisle]

Given the trouble they’ve had with doors , toilets & generator units perhaps borrowing back a few Voyagers for the fortnight would’ve been a better idea.
The LNER Hitatchi’s on Tyne Valley diverts dont have anything remotely matching the number of problems & faults Avanti have experienced here with theirs over the last week.

 

[185143]

Given the trouble they’ve had with doors , toilets & generator units perhaps borrowing back a few Voyagers for a fortnight would’ve been a better idea.

And the bad PR that would cause for XC when certain media outlets inevitably get hold of it...

Not that I particularly disagree. And the Welsh certainly wouldn't have objected!

 

[38Cto15E]

A shambolic day today, I was on the 0923 from Carlisle which was going to be a 10 car but Avanti couldn't,t make the join work so we left nearly an hour late. However the steward was very good and my Salmon and eggs delicious. I was booked to return on the same set at 1207 from Preston but it was cancelled but not before Avanti tried to cram 10 lots of passengers into a 5 car set. Anyway I am on the late running 1407 10 car set near to Blaackburn. All seems good at the moment, touch wood.

 

[The Prisoner]

RTT showing the 1321 (805008 and 805009) and 1522 (805003) Carlisle to Preston as cancelled?

 

[DarloRich]

what are cattle class loadings like? Are the trains really busy?

 

[The Planner]

although that would have had traincrew and hence training (route learning or conductor) cost implications.. Also assumes that there are enough paths.

Conductor only, Avanti won't learn it.

 

[mountainpixel]

what are cattle class loadings like? Are the trains really busy?

Todays 08:07 from Preston to Carlisle was not busy (but also not empty) in second and first.

Had a great experience in first with full service. Was truly an enjoyable ride along this gorgeous part of the country. Frustratingly because of the broken down train in Carlisle we had to wait 15 minutes till the service to Glasgow had left and a free platform was available. Which was my connection further north.

 

[DarloRich]

Was truly an enjoyable ride along this gorgeous part of the country.

Cheers. It would be nice to ride along that line in a nice train - certainly nicer than a pacer - but perhaps not quite as nice as a mkii carriage and a 47

 

[AlterEgo]

Bailed on the 1207 after it was cancelled (more than an hour after it was due to leave). Some pretty strange operational decisions today, not least trying to force a poorly set to work with another one for the best part of 45 minutes, which cocked up the timetable for the day.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Also unusually a 5-car 805 on today's 10:18 Preston to London via Birmingham.. Maybe given the 805 issues experienced today this unit would have been better utilised on a Carlisle shuttle?

 

[ajp999]

Also unusually a 5-car 805 on today's 10:18 Preston to London via Birmingham.. Maybe given the 805 issues experienced today this unit would have been better utilised on a Carlisle shuttle?

That unit was on the 0909 Crewe to Carlisle but was detached at Preston due to multiple train failures earlier in the day to form the 1018. This meant only one unit went forward to Carlisle; first class was full and standard class was probably two thirds full.

 

[shredder1]

Are the diversions non stop between Preston and Carlisle, I might buy a North West rover on saturday, mainly to sample the Blackburn Hellifield line.

 

[D1511]

Some pretty strange operational decisions today,

Standard fare from AWC! At least they didn't lock everyone out and then run it ECS!

 

[InkyScrolls]

Are the diversions non stop between Preston and Carlisle, I might buy a North West rover on saturday, mainly to sample the Blackburn Hellifield line.

Yes, no calls en route.

 

[tumbledown]

Are the diversions non stop between Preston and Carlisle, I might buy a North West rover on saturday, mainly to sample the Blackburn Hellifield line.

If that is your main interest, the two Rochdale-Ribblehead and return services are running.

 

[dk1]

This doesn't appear to be working particularly great does it, I wonder if they will bother with this again

I was under the impression it’s only being done now because the M6 is closed too on certain dates making RR difficult.

 

[gordonthemoron]

How many Everos are currently in Carlisle? I counted 4 when the 14:07 from Preston eventually arrived

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Are the diversions non stop between Preston and Carlisle, I might buy a North West rover on saturday, mainly to sample the Blackburn Hellifield line.

Slightly expensive way to do it, if doing it as a day return, but valid.

 

[dk1]

I got lucky by the sounds of things yesterday. Yes there was a slight delay and the rear set got locked out due to frozen WCs but was comfortably full in the front set and on arrival at Carlisle stepped straight onto a late running Newcastle service with my planned following connection being cancelled due to severe disruption on the Tyne Valley. Was just in a bubble avoiding all problems.

 

[lrbvoyager]

When these diversion are done do we recon Avanti will see it as a success and failure?

 

[nilvaj395]

One has to wonder how many thousands of people who may have benefited from the use of these services have been put off from travelling by rail because the journey planner showed them a message that said "Sorry no fares found" or similar, or a very very high price compared to a usual Off Peak or Anytime ticket.

Some easements have appeared with the apparent intention of ensuring tickets on routes Preston, Lancaster or Penrith were shown as valid, but they have been incomplete and incorrect, so mostly haven't had any effect. Of course, anyone using such a ticket will have had it accepted in the usual way, as if the train actually did pass through those places, even though it doesn't, but one needs to know that or be told that in advance. People who bought a ticket from a ticket office or guard may be at some advantage in that case.

Avanti consistently let their industry colleagues down in this regard unfortunately.


It looks like they have used some adjustment allowance to me, although this is often hidden so it may not be as noticeable.

This is the case for me, prices are around like 3x what I would normally pay for the same journey on advance singles.

 

[Carlisle]

Some pretty strange operational decisions today, not least trying to force a poorly set to work with another one for the best part of 45 minutes, which cocked up the timetable for the day.

Im sure those involved did their best given AFAIK they’re not especially familiar with 805s up here. Probably on hindsight either additional training or temporarily redeploying some home depot staff would’ve been a better idea .

 

[AlterEgo]

Im sure those involved did their best given AFAIK they’re not especially familiar with 805s up here. Probably on hindsight either additional training or temporarily redeploying some home depot staff would’ve been a better idea .

The decisions are made at Control, I'm not sure why Carlisle's familiarity or otherwise would come into it. The trains are opertaed by staff who sign the stock and Control is done by the usual people. I'm sure they did their best but I'm fairly sure they made absolutely the wrong call by trying to long to get that set to run as a double. Enormous amount of delay caused and the timing was already about 12 minutes short because it was pathed as a 221.

 

[shredder1]

Yes, no calls en route.

Thank you.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Jan 2026 ==

Slightly expensive way to do it, if doing it as a day return, but valid.

Thanks mate, not sure of a cheaper way really, maybe just a return from Preston or Wigan to Carlisle, Ill check the prices, I have a railcard, thank you.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Jan 2026 ==

If that is your main interest, the two Rochdale-Ribblehead and return services are running.

Oh I didnt realise, do you have the times for that, I presume it goes through Manchester Victoria, thank you

 

[dk1]

When these diversion are done do we recon Avanti will see it as a success and failure?

Bit of both i would say.