West Coast Invitation to Tender,Salop comments

[merlodlliw]

http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/...urn-of-direct-trains-to-london/#ixzz1kJpvke3u

 

[swt_passenger]

Already posted and discussed last Friday:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=58762

 

[merlodlliw]

Already posted and discussed last Friday:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=58762

Thanks missed it, Ill leave the Shropshire par.

Plus a friends comments

"In the light of the race for the franchise Wrexham's reps also hope for a continuance, betterment, of the London connection, as does just about every other town/city served by WCML.

We shall see................."

And from Charlie Hume of North Wales Rail weekly website, who says

"Basically the service requirement is similar to the present timetable, although the Wrexham train is not a requirement, nor apparently is an exact number of trains which should continue beyond Chester towards Holyhead - these are left as options which the operator, along with possible use of the lines to be electrified between Manchester, Liverpool and Blackpool. The existing Pendolinos have to be used until at least 2022, and the Voyagers at least until 2016.

An interesting statement is 'Should bidders propose further electrification schemes such as Crewe to Chester, it is expected that they would provide evidence within their bids of how they propose to finance, plan and deliver such schemes within the franchise term.' "

 

[steve099]

Sounds like an extension to the Chester train is the most viable option. But via Wrexham, Gobowen, Shrewsbury and terminating at Telford?

I can't imagine it taking any less than 45 minutes between Chester and Shrewsbury, giving a total travel time which pretty much matches changes via Birmingham / Wolves. For those in Telford, they will incur a time penalty. Add in the potential that a higher fare for via Crewe will be charged and, all in all, this could be a very unappealing route destined to fail.

 

[The175]

Terminate at Telford, from Euston, via Chester? Really?

Surely Euston, Chester, round through Shrewsbury to Wolves and back down to Euston again in a loop would make more sense?

Detach a Voyager at Chester for Holyhead, pick one up at Wolves for the return and vice versa.

Just an idea

 

[merlodlliw]

Terminate at Telford, from Euston, via Chester? Really?

Surely Euston, Chester, round through Shrewsbury to Wolves and back down to Euston again in a loop would make more sense?

Detach a Voyager at Chester for Holyhead, pick one up at Wolves for the return and vice versa.

Just an idea

The current Mon to Fri 0910 Euston to Holyhead carries five cars unused past Chester, spare capacity on this run, I could never understand why VT choose this service to add another voyager unit to Holyhead making it ten cars,when the five car carries so few passengers.

Anyhow Chester/Euston via Salop will add an hour minimum to the run.

Also VT only had three HSTs running Euston to Holyhead when they took over the franchise,

 

[dk1]

The current Mon to Fri 0910 Euston to Holyhead carries five cars unused past Chester, spare capacity on this run, I could never understand why VT choose this service to add another voyager unit to Holyhead making it ten cars,when the five car carries so few passengers.

Anyhow Chester/Euston via Salop will add an hour minimum to the run.

Also VT only had three HSTs running Euston to Holyhead when they took over the franchise,

Does the 09.10 not drop the rear unit at Chester to form the 11.35 back to Euston?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Does the 09.10 not drop the rear unit at Chester to form the 11.35 back to Euston?

Not any more, it goes to HHD and back as a double unit.
It starts as the first up train from HHD to Euston (0626 ex CTR, combines with a Lancaster portion at Crewe), and eventually forms the 1810 EUS to HHD, dropping a unit for Wrexham at Chester.

I discovered recently that the 1135 Chester-Euston now comes ECS (5D28) from Central Rivers via the Lichfield spur.
After the 0910 leaves Crewe for HHD at 1049, the ECS is sitting in P12 and follows to Chester to form the 1135.

There is a similar ECS move back to Central Rivers in the evening.
You can track the moves here (in advanced mode it shows ECS and freight moves): http://www.opentraintimes.com/location/CTR/2012/1/24/1042

 

[merlodlliw]

Not any more, it goes to HHD and back as a double unit.
It starts as the first up train from HHD to Euston (0626 ex CTR, combines with a Lancaster portion at Crewe), and eventually forms the 1810 EUS to HHD, dropping a unit for Wrexham at Chester.

I discovered recently that the 1135 Chester-Euston now comes ECS (5D28) from Central Rivers via the Lichfield spur.
After the 0910 leaves Crewe for HHD at 1049, the ECS is sitting in P12 and follows to Chester to form the 1135.

There is a similar ECS move back to Central Rivers in the evening.
You can track the moves here (in advanced mode it shows ECS and freight moves): http://www.opentraintimes.com/location/CTR/2012/1/24/1042

Thats a brilliant new timetable to play with in advanced mode.

 

[dk1]

Not any more, it goes to HHD and back as a double unit.
I discovered recently that the 1135 Chester-Euston now comes ECS (5D28) from Central Rivers via the Lichfield spur.
After the 0910 leaves Crewe for HHD at 1049, the ECS is sitting in P12 and follows to Chester to form the 1135.[/url]

I suppose that puts them in pole position should there be another ash cloud scenario. Also should there be no unit available for 5D28 the drop at Chester can take place without any service cancellations.