ABB125
Established Member
Announcement on the 1007 saying they're awaiting a fitter to rectify a problem
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Avanti West Coast via Settle (for WCML Bridge replacement next January?)
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dk1
Veteran Member
Almost a carbon copy of Tuesday except within a minute or so they decided nothing could be done so we all transferred to the rear (now leading) unit.
ABB125
Established Member
Loadings look a lot better than last weekend, though still plenty of spare seats
ChilliSauce
On Moderation
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Another "Great Day"...Not.... on the Settle & Carlisle .
1Z88 2 x 5 cars coupled in the platform at Crewe. Departed Crewe 5L . To form the 10.07 departure from Preston for Carlisle
Now at a stand at Preston, train going nowhere ... awaiting fitters attention.
1Z88 2 x 5 cars coupled in the platform at Crewe. Departed Crewe 5L . To form the 10.07 departure from Preston for Carlisle
Now at a stand at Preston, train going nowhere ... awaiting fitters attention.
ABB125
Established Member
Apparently there's an engine defect. The driver is apparently going to try to fix it by basically turning it off and on again 
dk1
Veteran Member
Doing a reboot will normally reset a multitude of issues. We were only allowed to do them however with permission from Fleet Support.Apparently there's an engine defect. The driver is apparently going to try to fix it by basically turning it off and on again
So basically a reenactment of the IT crowd, terrificApparently there's an engine defect. The driver is apparently going to try to fix it by basically turning it off and on again
duffield
Established Member
I was thinking about a trip on Monday (the only day I can manage before the diversion ends on Wednesday) but the appalling reliability is putting me off getting up before 0500, and travelling from Nottingham to Carlisle via Newcastle to pick up the 1127 to Preston with the 1321 as backup. I'm not at all confident that *either* of them will even run!
Oh well, still got a bit of time to think about it.
Oh well, still got a bit of time to think about it.
ABB125
Established Member
Apparently the problem has been fixed by the reset, we'll be leaving shortlyApparently there's an engine defect. The driver is apparently going to try to fix it by basically turning it off and on again
dk1
Veteran Member
On the move 40L
ABB125
Established Member
And likely to arrive at Hellifield around the same time as the Northern stopper... Hopefully Avanti will be allowed to go first!
dk1
Veteran Member
Hopefully, you’re clawing back some time.
One extreme to the other! Potentially the first one to run early?!
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Realtime Trains | 1Z85 0917 Carlisle to Preston | 10/01/2026
Real-time train running information for 1Z85 0917 departure from Carlisle to Preston on 10/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
ABB125
Established Member
Looks like it's only due to pathing time not being needed, so I'm not sure it counts properly. But interesting to see nonetheless
Was a really nice run over the S&C on that this morning. We didn't seem to drop much, if any time over the hills and ended up sat waiting for a path to open up through Blackburn.
Always a bonus to then connect onto an earlier service!
They seem to be doing well today
However on board service is inconsistent; no at seat catering on the train I am on. Front set had no ticket check and the full range of items from the shop on production of a 1st class ticket. Rear set had a ticket check and no complimentary items provided except tea and coffee. Other items had to be paid for!
This is absolutely typical of the sort of behaviour I expect from a company of Avanti's reputation for customer 'service'.
However on board service is inconsistent; no at seat catering on the train I am on. Front set had no ticket check and the full range of items from the shop on production of a 1st class ticket. Rear set had a ticket check and no complimentary items provided except tea and coffee. Other items had to be paid for!
This is absolutely typical of the sort of behaviour I expect from a company of Avanti's reputation for customer 'service'.
I believe that there are two 57s left on standby. One is at Crewe between platforms 11 and 12, the other I imagine is at Carlisle. Virgin used to operate them itself but in latter days it got outsourced. They were then owned and operated by DRS but LSL's Ops Manager has told me that they are taking the rescue contract over.
Use of a 57 to haul a 390 is now only used as a last resort. Alstom weren't happy with routine drags so it's purely for clearing the line now and a DTM must be present as it's such an unusual event. I'm not sure when the last 57 rescue was, I know that the Crewe one went to Manchester a while back to recover a TfW Mk4 set when the DVT wouldn't play ball. There was a railtour drag though as part of Rail 200 last year.
Ticket check can’t be done in front set of a double set due to the train managers having to remain in the rear set. Avanti don’t diagram a 2nd train manager to the front set. Been this way for years going back to double voyager services, you’ll only see a ticket check being done in the front set of a double unit if revenue protection board, which is rare enough but even more unlikely on the type of service running to Carlisle via the diversionary route with no intermediary stops.
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Iskra
Established Member
An excellent trip over the S&C today, with the wine and complementaries being generously provided in first thanks to an excellent host. Loadings are reasonable and the weather has made for an excellent run in Intercity comfort over a stunning line. Much credit to Avanti.
Glad to hear it's going well in the front set...!
dk1
Veteran Member
According to MR magazine the DRS Thunderbird contract expired last month and has not been renewed/needed. Avanti stating that complete Pendolino failures are so rare it is not cost effective.
Is it really likely at this point that a diversion like this won't ever run again?
Personally, I said earlier in this thread I think but I was put off, given the advance singles (if existing) weren't necessarily cheap I assume due to demand pricing, nowhere near the price you'd usually pay outside of the diversion (because I checked trains after the diversion ends to find the expected price returns). It would be cheaper to buy an off-peak only as far as Carlisle although I would rather continue onwards, but I accept you do get the rare track (ever since Northern pulled out) between Clitheroe and Hellifield and this is probably the last time this is going to be done with Avanti at least (maybe it might happen again under nationalisation).
I wonder if demand pricing of sorts based on 'predicted' passenger numbers has caused this increase in price for the diversion and ultimately caused the diversion services to be rather empty. I would rather just wait for the next Northern sale for the S&C, as much as I want to do the Avanti diverts.
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From what people have said on here, it seems to have had reasonable loadings so hopefully that augers well !
I won't be travelling on it myself (although I've gone past it a couple of times on the S&C), but this is an excellent development for the railway.
Of course, I am never knocking the effort being put into it! It's great Avanti didn't just stick with RRB's.
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I wanted to go to Scotland and the cheapest was around £45 total* (I just checked for Tuesday)
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Rail Ranger
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People on the inside have indicated that the diversions will happen again. Much work is planned on the WCML over the next few years.
Indeed - and you're quite right to call for pricing similar to what the non-diverted trains would have had.
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Great news !
I remember a few years ago during the diversions via Dumfries and the price was the same if not slightly lower than normal. Unfortunately it ended up being cancelled and being put on an RRB instead!
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Reduces the FOMO, thanks!
ABB125
Established Member
1522 from Carlisle has run pretty much on time throughout. Occasional minute or two lost but caught up again. A few minutes' delay at Blackburn but caught up again.
Unfortunately it's been spoiled on the approach to Preston, currently sat waiting for a late running service from London to enter the station and clear the path into the station
Unfortunately it's been spoiled on the approach to Preston, currently sat waiting for a late running service from London to enter the station and clear the path into the station
Mcr Warrior
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Welcome to the forum. Good stuff. How much was it to get back again? Journey can ordinarily be done for £20.15 off peak day single (route 'via Penrith', with a railcard) or £20.20 off peak day return (again with a railcard). Hop on, hop off, and no need to book in advance or commit yourself to specific trains or TOCs.
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