Electrification of Fylde line

[tbtc]

Exactly so. I was saying that I disagreed with Noguidebus when his posting stated that it is "very easy" to travel by rail from Blackpool Airport to Manchester Airport and I gave the only two rail options open.

Going off topic, but there aren't many airports in the UK which have a train link between them.

The XC services from Manchester to Bournemouth serve both Birmingham and Soutampton Airports, FCC's Brighton - Bedford service serves both Gatwick and Luton, but there aren't many examples. One for another thread?

 

[Toots]

Will any improvements be made to the Blackpool North to Preston line?

Only in so far as the line will be electrified and a possible upgrade in rolling stock and ride. I cannot see volume of traffic or the timings being enhanced greatly because there is already a high volume of traffic and of course if the Blackpool South branch remains without wires the two modes of train will be interspersed on the stretch from Preston to Kirkham which would slow through runnings of electric traction down.
I cannot really see the move from AB to TCB speeding things up over the Preston to Blackpool portion either,again its because of the volume of traffic that already exists and the fact the line already has several short sections.

 

[Whistler40145]

Toots, is the line speed staying the same or could in some sections be increased?

 

[Toots]

What ?,from Preston to Blackpool?...I certainly cannot see the amount of sections being increased whilst it remains Absolute Block.Both Kirkham and Poulton already have Intermediate Block sections and the remaining boxes wouldn't really be suitable,It would follow that the linespeed will probably remain the same.Most often it is the state of the track that dictates the speed,just as much as the signalling and I'm pretty sure that their track is in fairly good fettle....

 

[driver9000]

The IB signals controlled by Kirkham North and Poulton No.3 are already spaced out for TCB with aspects blanked out according to their role (ie PT9 on the Down has it's red blanked). I'm told by older hands that the conversion was abandoned for some reason and may have been linked to earlier BR plans to electrify the line.

 

[Whistler40145]

Although the line wasn't built for high speed & most of the line is 75 mph, what chance is there of making some sections 90 mph?

 

[Noguidedbus]

Generally, from a non-peak weekday timetable...


Airports must shout about transport links, they have a direct train from Preston (where many connections are available) and East Lancashire. Blackpool Airport has only focused on the free car parking so far.

Couldn't agree more. Why does the journey to the airport have to be the difficult part of the holiday?
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Exactly so. I was saying that I disagreed with Noguidebus when his posting stated that it is "very easy" to travel by rail from Blackpool Airport to Manchester Airport and I gave the only two rail options open.

And you are right, I was wrong. I've looked it up since. It's very easy, just not at all practical. Lot of running or sitting around needed.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

It's only a 30 minute (give or take a couple of mins) connection at Preston each way, not the worst by any means (try a 58 minute connection for a direct London trains from the ELL locals!).

 

[WestCoast]

It's only a 30 minute (give or take a couple of mins) connection at Preston each way, not the worst by any means (try a 58 minute connection for a direct London trains from the ELL locals!).

It is not awful, but then again not ideal for airport travellers, who will just often take the car/a taxi to avoid a hassle and a lengthy start to a. long air journey.