Additional Weekend Coaches to Help on Manchester to Blackpool

[embers25]

I see there will be extra staff and additional coaches (ie buses) running this weekend to supplement trains between Manchester and Blackpool. Firstly points to Northern/TPE for being proactive rather than reactive to the good weather but surely given Saturday and definitely Sunday TPE and Northern must have spare trains lying around I hope they are at least using them. (before someone says I know some may need maintenance but given its a one off weekend (in theory) you'd hope they'd improvise. I wonder how busy SWT to Bournemouth will be Saturday given it's Guildford Rainbow Day as well!

 

[Eagle]

Your "before someone says" bit didn't include the following, so I'll say it.

There may not be enough extra staff available at the weekend to provide these extra services.

 

[Searle]

I wonder how busy SWT to Bournemouth will be Saturday given it's Guildford Rainbow Day as well!

I'm hoping it's not too busy, because I'm intending on doing it

 

[Eagle]

London to Bournemouth will be very busy on Saturday (even the 10-car services). It might ease a bit after Southampton and the New Forest, but not much.

 

[sonic2009]

I suspect all coastal resorts will be busy this weekend I'm off to Eastbourne tommorow, so expect the train to be busy.

 

[trainophile]

just seen this on Twitter:

Virgin Trains ‏@VirginTrains 51s

Trains in the North West are going to be very busy this weekend. Please allow extra time for your journey & ensure you take fluids with you.

Is there any particular reason other than the weather and the start of the school hols?

 

[transmanche]

Is there any particular reason other than the weather and the start of the school hols?

This?

 

[trainophile]

This?

Oh blimey I see now. Poor chaps having to work their socks off in this heat, as I don't suppose there's any leeway for over-running.

 

[embers25]

Your "before someone says" bit didn't include the following, so I'll say it.

There may not be enough extra staff available at the weekend to provide these extra services.

Agreed but adding extra coaches doesn't need extra staff...except when xc or virgin double up voyagers

 

[SeanG]

Agreed but adding extra coaches doesn't need extra staff...except when xc or virgin double up voyagers

Non gangwayed units may require extra guards

 

[tony6499]

Very difficult to get train crew at short notice for weekend work especially in the school holidays and this lovely weather

 

[Eagle]

Agreed but adding extra coaches doesn't need extra staff...except when xc or virgin double up voyagers

Or when TPE double up 185s... :roll:

 

[simon.exd]

Loco and carriages anyone?!
I know, I know....

 

[Solent&Wessex]

Or when TPE double up 185s... :roll:

You only need one Guard for a double set, but you may need an extra driver or two to get the extra units in place at the right time, shunt off depot etc. The extra drivers is the hardest part.

 

[ushawk]

I suspect all coastal resorts will be busy this weekend I'm off to Eastbourne tommorow, so expect the train to be busy.

Should be fine, Eastbourne services dont tend to get massively busy.

ANY service to Brighton on the other hand.....

 

[embers25]

Or when TPE double up 185s... :roll:

ooh didn't realise that...coaches make sense now then sorry! If only we'd stuck with and built more 158/159's that can be extended the 12 coaches with no extra staff needed.

 

[Stonesourscotty]

Northerns Southport line was chocka last week and they even had some single miseryrail 142's out compared to some 150/2+156 diagrams! merseyrail had some heavily graffitied 508's and the awful beatle liveried sets out all in 6 car formation probably a reaction to the weather letting things run round in awful liverys.

 

[Solent&Wessex]

ooh didn't realise that...coaches make sense now then sorry! If only we'd stuck with and built more 158/159's that can be extended the 12 coaches with no extra staff needed.

No extra staff are needed when TPE double up 185s.

 

[abbo1234]

There have been 2 First Manchester buses parked in Chorley bus station all weekend on rail replacement duties to be used as extra capacity to either Blackpool or Manchester if needed
As far as i know they never moved all day.Feel sorry for the drivers on standby in that heat.They seemed to spend most of the day sat on the entrance with the doors open.