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Class 390 trains have now been approved for interim service operation on the Preston - Blackpool route. Class 323s have also been approved but only for Empty Coaching Stock moves at present (which would include driver training).

The 0854 from Euston (1P92) is scheduled to arrive at Blackpool at 11:56 so this could potentially be a passenger service. I will see what I can find out. I think we can all be confident that it will be 390013 (in the Pendalbino livery) for the naming ceremony.

Assuming no disruption during the day it should be 390152 as this train is fitted with the latest generation pantograph CCTV cameras. This will operate service 1P07 (20:30 London Euston - Preston) before forming the test train.

Yes indeed! Alstom and Virgin are reviewing why the 390s have this restriction applied as this may be an appropriate time to seek a relaxation.

The main purpose of the test runs on Monday is to load the power supply to the maximum rating. An 11-car train is planned and the train will cycle between maximum power and maximum regen brake as it progresses along the route The rumours that Blackpool Tower is to be used as a bar graph display...

In fact the Pendolinos will be running at lower speeds than most of the other trains on the Blackpool route as the Class 390 is specifically excluded from operating at the MU speed limit of 70mph that applies between Kirkham and Poulton. 390s are restricted to 60mph over this section.

Class 323s have now been cleared for driver training on the Chat Moss route (and Liverpool - Preston via St Helens). Not sure when this is planned to commence.

First article from today's press launch now available. http://m.railjournal.com/index.php/rolling-stock/caf-presents-first-civity-emu-for-northern.html

I did a search on Realtime Trains for Virgin West Coast services at Blackpool North from 21st May. The link below should work. If you click on a specific train you can see the full journey details...

Today's on-schedule return of Preston - Blackpool South augurs well for a major upgrade in train provision to Blackpool. The new Pendolino services that will be serving Blackpool from the May timetable change now appear in Realtime Trains. There are 3 return trips from/to Euston Monday-Friday...

There was reference earlier in the thread to a Pendolino coasting all the way from Tring to Euston. I can confirm this has occurred on at least one occasion as referenced in the attached extract from an Alstom presentation. The train arrived on time at Euston having coasted for the final 32...

There is an opportunity to visit the Alstom Training Academy at Widnes on Tuesday 9th January 2018 thanks to an IMechE Railway Division North Western Centre event. Mike Hulme (Alstom) will be describing the project to bring the new facility to the North West and will also provide an outline of...

Indeed they do and always very interesting. The next event for the IMechE North Western Centre is at the Alstom Training Academy at Widnes on Tuesday 9th January 2018. http://nearyou.imeche.org/eventdetail?id=13861 Further details of the North Western Centre activities can be found at...

The IMechE Railway Division and the Permanent Way Institution are jointly hosting a Technical Lecture on the Ordsall Chord scheme at Manchester Metropolitan University at 6:30pm on Tuesday 14th November. The lecture will be presented by Mr. Graham Gornall - Project Manager - Northern Hub...

Grabbed a few shots of Manchester's latest landmark this evening. Tremendous to see the arch in place at last and congratulations to all who have been involved. Shots of passing trains from the footbridge should be impressive later in the year...

Well I missed all the action this morning but I stopped off to take a few night-time shots on the way home from work. Tremendous to see the arch in place at last and congratulations to all who have been involved. The lift was well timed as the wind was definitely getting up this evening...

The arch was high in the air as I passed on Regent Road at 9am; a spectacular sight! Sadly the traffic lights were all on green for once so no chance of a quick photo. Look forward to seeing lots posted later.

Apologies, hopefully this should be the correct link https://www.flickr.com/photos/147280282@N07/albums

Can't compete with the aerial shots but I have created Flickr albums with the photographs I have taken over the last 9 months following the progress of the Ordsall Chord project. https://www.flickr.com/photos/organize/?start_tab=one_set72157676959877703 Things are certainly moving on apace...

Significant progress on the Ordsall Chord bridge today. The arch has now been lifted close to the bridge deck all set for the big lift next Tuesday. It's more difficult to get good photos now but I have added a few mobile phone shots to my Flickr album...