Helsby to Ellesmere Port

[Eagle]

The road belongs to Shell. In the past, when it was an open thoroughfare, Shell used to conduct an occasional census so they could reclaim a proportion of its maintenance costs from Cheshire CC.

It'll be Essar, not Shell who sold the plant to Essar a couple of years ago.

As 34D says, the council (West Cheshire) will know for sure.

 

[merlodlliw]

It'll be Essar, not Shell who sold the plant to Essar a couple of years ago.

As 34D says, the council (West Cheshire) will know for sure.

This will help, I find them very helpful

http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/transport_and_roads/public_rights_of_way.aspx

 

[ATW Alex 101]

Photos of the train as promised.

 

[frodshamfella]

I had an idea the other day, wondering what would the possibility be of the last train of the day from Ellesmere Port which operates through to Warrington BQ for passengers then empty to Liverpool Lime Street being slightly altered to incorporate the Halton Curve. Therefore Ellesmere Port to Frodsham all stations, then Halton Curve to Runcorn. If Northern were feeling generous, it could offer a passenger service to Liverpool South Parkway and then Lime Street. So basically the train ends up where Northern needs it (Lime Street) and a year round service is established for their parlimentary over the Halton Curve, but Mon to Sat, rather than the Saturday summer only Chester-Runcorn morning service.

 

[34D]

I had an idea the other day, wondering what would the possibility be of the last train of the day from Ellesmere Port which operates through to Warrington BQ for passengers then empty to Liverpool Lime Street being slightly altered to incorporate the Halton Curve. Therefore Ellesmere Port to Frodsham all stations, then Halton Curve to Runcorn. If Northern were feeling generous, it could offer a passenger service to Liverpool South Parkway and then Lime Street. So basically the train ends up where Northern needs it (Lime Street) and a year round service is established for their parlimentary over the Halton Curve, but Mon to Sat, rather than the Saturday summer only Chester-Runcorn morning service.

Don't be silly!!!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

If Northern were feeling generous, it could offer a passenger service to Liverpool South Parkway and then Lime Street. So basically the train ends up where Northern needs it (Lime Street) and a year round service is established for their parlimentary over the Halton Curve, but Mon to Sat, rather than the Saturday summer only Chester-Runcorn morning service.

It won't happen, as it would be tantamount to reopening a parliamentary route (and only one way), and raise all sorts of expectations the DfT has no wish to fulfil because of the cost.
I don't see the current service staying Liverpool based anyway.
After Huyton route electrification there will be far fewer Northern DMUs working into Liverpool (just the CLC route ones), and no Lime St-Warrington BQ DMU service.
ATW could even take it on from Chester as a lower cost arrangement than ECS from Allerton or Newton Heath.

 

[edwin_m]

ATW could even take it on from Chester as a lower cost arrangement than ECS from Allerton or Newton Heath.

Wouldn't that mean ECS (or use of unsuitable stock on a passenger working) from Cardiff instead?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Wouldn't that mean ECS (or use of unsuitable stock on a passenger working) from Cardiff instead?

Well ATW use 150s on Wrexham-Bidston, Chester-Crewe, the Conwy Valley and other odd workings into Chester.
It would just get added to those based or outstationed at Chester.

 

[edwin_m]

Well ATW use 150s on Wrexham-Bidston, Chester-Crewe, the Conwy Valley and other odd workings into Chester.
It would just get added to those based or outstationed at Chester.

It was being discussed somewhere on heare not long back whether these diagrams should be resourced by Northern instead, especially if extra trains are run between Warrington and Chester.

 

[merlodlliw]

Wouldn't that mean ECS (or use of unsuitable stock on a passenger working) from Cardiff instead?

The garage for all 175 key maintenance is based at Chester,long may it remain.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Well ATW use 150s on Wrexham-Bidston, Chester-Crewe, the Conwy Valley and other odd workings into Chester.
It would just get added to those based or outstationed at Chester.

Agree,not all ATW workings in the North originate from Cardiff.

 

[edwin_m]

Don't ATW 150s have to go back to Cardiff for anything more than cleaning, fuelling and minor checks?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Probably. But adding one from the Northern fleet wouldn't make any difference.
They also use 153s and I would guess the Helsby-E Port shuttle could manage with one of those.

 

[Cheshire Rover]

I've received a bit of news on Helsby Station. This is to be confirmed but it seems that Compass Rail Tours are to take over the old waiting room and also run a business from there. Apparently there is more on this to come in an announcement on January 14th. I picked this up on Facebook from a chap who was at a meeting with them this week.

 

[Bevan Price]

Probably. But adding one from the Northern fleet wouldn't make any difference.
They also use 153s and I would guess the Helsby-E Port shuttle could manage with one of those.

A bit of a late comment on this, but the afternoon unit on the line comes from Chester, having previously been involved with Northwich line services. It would be simple for it to return to Chester, once the Liverpool / Manchester electrification is operational. The current afternoon Liverpool - Chester e.c.s. dmu working will possibly cease at the same date.

 

[lord rathmore]

Glad you like Frodsham, it is a nice small town. The railway station has quite recently been renovated, its not being put back into passenger use, but the "for sale" sign has gone, rumours are a tea room maybe.

I shall take more trips on the Helsby-E.Port line this year (afternoons), I always enjoy the run, although sometimes, I get off at one of the intermediate stops just for a change !

This year is 150 years of rail between Hooton and Helsby, there are plans of a special train on Saturday 6 July running from Hooton via Ellesmere Port and Helsby to Liverpool South Parkway over Halton Curve. North Cheshire Rail Users Group are planning this.

Not only do I like Frodsham but I grew up there in the 50's. My tag for this forum comes from seeing unrebuilt Patriot 45533 on a royal train going past Frodsham infants school. I'm amazed the branch from Helsby still runs - there was never much of a service on it even back then!

 

[Cheshire Rover]

Not only do I like Frodsham but I grew up there in the 50's. My tag for this forum comes from seeing unrebuilt Patriot 45533 on a royal train going past Frodsham infants school. I'm amazed the branch from Helsby still runs - there was never much of a service on it even back then!

With a £4 a day toll on the Runcorn bridge on the cards, a direct service to Liverpool may suddenly become attractive to car drivers.

 

[merlodlliw]

each way? in the 50s it was a transporter,same as in Newport, you paid then.

Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year