Blackpool 180s

[Ivo]

Hey all,

Does anyone know which Northern services to Blackpool are diagrammed for 180s please? As I've said before I've never used one before, and given I'm off to Southport for a few days we should be going to Blackpool at some stage, so I'd like to give the cursed things a try - so I can see what I'm [not] missing (by reaching the Western six months too late)...!

Thank you

 

[driver9000]

From Blackpool North - 06:53, 07:18, 11:20, 15:20, 19:20
From Victoria - 09:22, 13:22, 17:19, 19:28, 21:22

Both sets diagrams start and end at Blackpool currently using 180103 & 180106.

 

[northwichcat]

From Blackpool North - 06:53, 07:18, 11:20, 15:20, 19:20
From Victoria - 09:22, 13:22, 17:19, 19:28, 21:22

Both sets diagrams start and end at Blackpool currently using 180103 & 180106.

Note that the 06:53 goes to Hazel Grove via Manchester Piccadilly, not Victoria.

The other 180 Northern services don't do Preston-Blackpool in passenger service but are as follows:

09:33 Hazel Grove - Preston
14:23 Preston to Hazel Grove
16:33 Hazel Grove to Preston

The Manchester to Preston/Blackpool services go via Bolton not Wigan, so the quickest way to get to Blackpool from Southport is to use the VT coach service to Preston, but you can do Southport-Bolton if you buy separate tickets.

The other thing to be aware of if a 180 fails any Northern DMU or combination of DMUs can fill in for it (except 144s, 155s and 158s that are east side only.)

 

[Ivo]

Thank you for the help

With regards to getting to Blackpool, the main problem is going to be convincing my father to go by train, even if it has to be from Preston, as opposed to the car. This is why I asked about tramway fares not so long ago; I'm trying to justify it. The main advantage is that, courtesy of the Stagecoach X2, I can get to Preston for nil. It's just a matter of having to pay half of his fare to Preston...

 

[driver9000]

Note that the 06:53 goes to Hazel Grove via Manchester Piccadilly, not Victoria.

The other 180 Northern services don't do Preston-Blackpool in passenger service but are as follows:

09:33 Hazel Grove - Preston
14:23 Preston to Hazel Grove
16:33 Hazel Grove to Preston

The Manchester to Preston/Blackpool services go via Bolton not Wigan, so the quickest way to get to Blackpool from Southport is to use the VT coach service to Preston, but you can do Southport-Bolton if you buy separate tickets.

The other thing to be aware of if a 180 fails any Northern DMU or combination of DMUs can fill in for it (except 144s, 155s and 158s that are east side only.)

I only listed the ones that do run between Blackpool & Preston for clarity, there didn't seem much point in mentioning the ECS trips at 10:50 or 13:50 return that the Hazel Grove diagram has for stabling. If a 180 fails leaving one for service the Hazel Grove diagram gets the priority meaning the Victoria diagram will be formed of Pacers or Sprinters. It should also be noted that the 180s only run Monday-Friday including bank holidays.

The Blackpool North bound 180 calls at Preston at 10:19, 14:19, 18:19, 20:25 and 22:19. Coach D is the former 1st class coach which is declassified but still has the bigger reclining seats fitted, if that helps your aguement

 

[Lampshade]

Forget Coach D, the first class seats have been run down to the point of being ruined. The quiet coach (think it's E) is nicer to travel in.

I haven't caught the X2 since I went to the Southport Air Show in 2008 but I just bought a dayrider, can't remember it costing very much at all.

 

[Ivo]

Forget Coach D, the first class seats have been run down to the point of being ruined. The quiet coach (think it's E) is nicer to travel in.

I haven't caught the X2 since I went to the Southport Air Show in 2008 but I just bought a dayrider, can't remember it costing very much at all.

I will have a look at Coach D, to see what I make of it. Quiet Coaches, though, are of no use when there is more than one person travelling...

I seem to recall the X2 costing about £4 when I used it last year. But that was for a single to Preston (from Southport), and before I had a bus pass. Mind you, bearing in mind I had a £39 refund from Virgin for the train home from Preston [not their fault], £4 was nothing!

 

[MCR247]

It is no longer I quiet coach I don't think

 

[p.d87]

I only listed the ones that do run between Blackpool & Preston for clarity, there didn't seem much point in mentioning the ECS trips at 10:50 or 13:50 return that the Hazel Grove diagram has for stabling. If a 180 fails leaving one for service the Hazel Grove diagram gets the priority meaning the Victoria diagram will be formed of Pacers or Sprinters. It should also be noted that the 180s only run Monday-Friday including bank holidays.

The Blackpool North bound 180 calls at Preston at 10:19, 14:19, 18:19, 20:25 and 22:19. Coach D is the former 1st class coach which is declassified but still has the bigger reclining seats fitted, if that helps your aguement

When i was travelling to blackpool on Wed 23rd June it wa
s the 14:19 I caught into Blackpool North and was running with a class 156. I guess the 180 was playing up. Ive been dying to try these units out for a long time now so am gutted to learn that it should have been a 180.

 

[northwichcat]

Forget Coach D, the first class seats have been run down to the point of being ruined. The quiet coach (think it's E) is nicer to travel in.

Yes coach D is in a poor state with worn seat covers and some lights working and other not. However, it's still a choice of extra leg room and larger reclining seats or normal seats with less leg room even if they are in a better state.

With Northern all coaches are treated as equal - no quiet coach, no first class, no buffet etc. Any such notices are covered up by Northern Rail stickers/notices.

 

[TheWalrus]

They are pretty smart to travel in mate, they can be unreliable but they are a nice ride!

 

[RAPC]

Yes coach D is in a poor state with worn seat covers and some lights working and other not. However, it's still a choice of extra leg room and larger reclining seats or normal seats with less leg room even if they are in a better state.

My regular morning commute is on one of these and coach D, no matter how shabby is still a pleasure to travel in. Loads of legroom, a good recline and 45 minutes or so of nap time before getting to work.