156 Nottingham - Liverpool

[CallySleeperKid]

I have noticed the last two mornings an East Midland Trains 156 passing through Langley Mill at around 06:45

As this is the first time I have seen a 156 along this line for many years I thought I'd check out the timetable and see if it was a service or a movement. Its turns out it is the first train of the day from Nottingham to Liverpool Lime Street, which includes stops along the Hope Valley Line, which I don't think any other EMT services stop at, but I may be corrected on that.

Anyway, I was wondering why this service is a 156, when all other (Norwich) Nottingham to Liverpool Lime Street services are 158's? What service does this 156 form once it has reached Liverpool? I know that EMT could be a 158 short and this is filling in, but I live in view of the Erewash Valley Line and travel quite often along it, and I have not seen a 156 on this route for many many years.

Anyone know whats going on?

 

[MCR247]

Like you said they are probably having a problem with a 158, and you can work out the diagrams easily, it'll work the next train back

 

[Yew]

Usually that is Not a sprinter, however last week I saw two 158's wired together for that run

 

[northwichcat]

Usually that is Not a sprinter

All EMT services are one of Sprinter, Meridian or HST. Except on London services all services are booked to be Sprinters.

The 156 could be on Liverpool-Norwich today as an extra unit - the Grand National is on at Aintree. Last year on the Saturday they used a 7 car 222 on Liverpool-Nottingham and did unit switches to 158s for the Nottingham-Norwich legs. I don't know if the same is planned tomorrow.

 

[island]

This seems to be in the wrong forum. Would the mods please move to e.g. Traction?

 

[Multiple Unit]

156 Units are quite common on Liverpool runs though since the Refurbishment of the 158s being compleate there hav not been many of EMTs 156s on that Route so must have been on there covering for a 158.

Most probably so that they can still keep 4 coaches ie 2x158s on the 07.42 from L-Pool.

 

[Yew]

usually i see meridians on that route, i was suprise dyou could replace one of those with a 156, hell of a differance.

 

[CallySleeperKid]

I have never seen a Meridian on this route, unless you are north of Clay Cross, where the London service come in from Derby. The only London service to pass through Langley Mill are HST's on Leeds services, one southbound in the morning and 2 northbound in the evening.

As for the Meridians running for the Grand National, well EMT have put on a couple on each direction from Nottingham to Liverpool, the times were posted on another thread somewhere.

I didn't get to check this morning is it was once again a 156, but I am guessing that it is either always a 156 on the early morning run or its covering for a 158.

 

[Yew]

All EMT services are one of Sprinter, Meridian or HST. Except on London services all services are booked to be Sprinters.
.

so everything is booked as a sprinter, however if there are extra units of HST or meridian, then they might get one of those?

Im guessing there is a priority order of some kind? I dont think you would ever see a HST running nottingham => worksop!

 

[northwichcat]

so everything is booked as a sprinter, however if there are extra units of HST or meridian, then they might get one of those?

Im guessing there is a priority order of some kind? I dont think you would ever see a HST running nottingham => worksop!

No you wouldn't. London services are always 222s or HSTs as a 90mph Sprinter can't keep up with timings. 222s can and have appeared on Liverpool-Norwich but that is the only non-London route they will appear on as they have not been cleared for other routes. I don't think EMT have ever used a HST on a non-London route.

 

[MCR247]

Derby - Skeggy

 

[CallySleeperKid]

I have never seen a Meridian on this route, unless you are north of Clay Cross, where the London service come in from Derby.

Well I stand corrected, I have just seen a 5 coach Meridian heading north through Langley Mill, and a quick look on National Rail Enquires shows it running Nottingham to Liverpool.

Is this a one off? I know EMT were running them yesterday as extras for the Grand National, but today? Unless it was an empty stock move and the Liverpool train was right behind it?

I can honestly say that's the first Meridian I have seen through here.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
A bit more digging has revealed trains from Chesterfield to Derby are being diverted down the Erewash Valley and through Toton due to engineering works, so would explain the Meridian I keep seeing and also the Cross Country Voyagers.

 

[Multiple Unit]

The Meridans have apeared on Skegness Services but More so theeedays it will be a HST set plus HST Set will be the likley for the Lincoln Chrsitmass Market Extras too.

 

[ukrob]

Well I stand corrected, I have just seen a 5 coach Meridian heading north through Langley Mill, and a quick look on National Rail Enquires shows it running Nottingham to Liverpool.

Is this a one off? I know EMT were running them yesterday as extras for the Grand National, but today? Unless it was an empty stock move and the Liverpool train was right behind it?

I don't know about that, but recently (this year) a four car 222 has operated the route instead of the booked 158.

It is not particularly rare to see 156s or 156+153 or 158+153 on the route either.