Bidston to Wrexham track

[PHILIPE]

Quite surprised at that for a major train crew depot.

Quite simple answer. Because 156s don't work there any more.

 

[craigybagel]

Pacers worked it in FNW days and 153s have worked it in ATW days but, now, solid 150

That's not the same as being barred though. Leeds crews don't sign 156s but the units aren't prohibited.

Quite simple answer. Because 156s don't work there any more.

I seem to recall when this came up before there actually is a small amount of Leeds drivers who sign 156s - something to do with them going to Neville Hill depot occasionally IIRC?

But yes, Bidston - Wrexham is a defacto 150 only route at present. The route is worked exclusively by Chester drivers with guards from Chester and Shrewsbury - none of whom sign 14x. The only stock they do sign that is cleared for the line are 150s and 153s - and the latter are problematic as only half the drivers at Chester sign them and in any case they're not capable of keeping to the very tight timetable on the line. Until one of those issues changes, you won't see anything else along there.

 

[sw1ller]

I seem to recall when this came up before there actually is a small amount of Leeds drivers who sign 156s - something to do with them going to Neville Hill depot occasionally IIRC?

But yes, Bidston - Wrexham is a defacto 150 only route at present. The route is worked exclusively by Chester drivers with guards from Chester and Shrewsbury - none of whom sign 14x. The only stock they do sign that is cleared for the line are 150s and 153s - and the latter are problematic as only half the drivers at Chester sign them and in any case they're not capable of keeping to the very tight timetable on the line. Until one of those issues changes, you won't see anything else along there.

There’s only 4 drivers at Chester that don’t sign 153s. It’s on the board in the managers office.

 

[craigybagel]

There’s only 4 drivers at Chester that don’t sign 153s. It’s on the board in the managers office.

Interesting - I thought only one of the two links signed them? Or did that get changed when the links changed last year?

 

[sw1ller]

Interesting - I thought only one of the two links signed them? Or did that get changed when the links changed last year?

Oh yeah, of course! Ok, only 4 from red link left to sign them. Haha. Now I feel daft.

 

[craigybagel]

Oh yeah, of course! Ok, only 4 from red link left to sign them. Haha. Now I feel daft.

That's a relief, thought I was losing the plot there

 

[sw1ller]

Yeah, sorry, it was late on a Sunday. It’s not a good excuse but it’s all I have!

I heard there was a signalling problem up there the other night and the wrong set of points were set. Anyone shed any light on that?

 

[craigybagel]

Yeah, sorry, it was late on a Sunday. It’s not a good excuse but it’s all I have!

I heard there was a signalling problem up there the other night and the wrong set of points were set. Anyone shed any light on that?

Don't worry, we've all been there!

 

[Ships]

Steel sleepers? That should finish off any aspirations to absorb the line into Merseyrail (If those plans weren't already dead, that is).

Why? New Mersey stock is dual voltage capable. Any further electrification would be overhead not 3rd rail. Also there are ready plenty of steels in on the WDB3 from previous renewals campaigns back in 2013.

It is interesting to note that the concrete sleepers BR relayed in the 70s and possibly 80s on Wrexham bidston, and the Wigan Kirby line were every so many sleepers fitted with a type that would take a 3rd rail pot, so the passive provision was being added back then for 3rd rail.

 

[B&I]

Steel sleepers? That should finish off any aspirations to absorb the line into Merseyrail (If those plans weren't already dead, that is).


On 3rd rail, at least, though NR seemed to go out of their way to kibbosh that optiob some years ago. Yet integration with Merseyrail would m

Why? New Mersey stock is dual voltage capable. Any further electrification would be overhead not 3rd rail. Also there are ready plenty of steels in on the WDB3 from previous renewals campaigns back in 2013.

It is interesting to note that the concrete sleepers BR relayed in the 70s and possibly 80s on Wrexham bidston, and the Wigan Kirby line were every so many sleepers fitted with a type that would take a 3rd rail pot, so the passive provision was being added back then for 3rd rail.

Where would the mode switch be? While.calling at Bidston?