We can at least dream!I don't think you've seen 397s in Leeds...
We can at least dream!I don't think you've seen 397s in Leeds...
Staff training and availability, coupled with lower demand.I couldn’t find the reason for one part of this. Why is it that Scarborough services cannot run through to Liverpool at the moment?
I am surprised there is still much lower demand than pre-pandemic. There seems to the untrained eye to have been a big rebound in routes between cities. Every train I have been on recently has been packed.Staff training and availability, coupled with lower demand.
If TPE are only able to run 1tph to Liverpool, it is more appropriate to be a Newcastle service using an 802 than a Scarborough service using a pair of 185s.
There is likely the demand to warrant it (the CLC is now back to 2tph "fast" in most hours), but it's a matter of having sufficient working sets, enough places to stable and fuel them, and enough traincrew to run them.I am surprised there is still much lower demand than pre-pandemic. There seems to the untrained eye to have been a big rebound in routes between cities. Every train I have been on recently has been packed.
Or in other words TPE are happy to save the £££. FirstGroup strikes once again.matter of having sufficient working sets, enough places to stable and fuel them, and enough traincrew to run them.
Matters of cost are now above all owning groups' pay-grade with the various ERMAs, direct awards and so forth. If a cost is authorised, they don't really care either way as they will be reimbursed.Or in other words TPE are happy to save the £££. FirstGroup strikes once again.
That is not Liverpool to Manchester though, which can have very different loadings.Also as someone who travels between Leeds and Manchester ever day using TPE, the current provision is matching demand almost perfectly in fact sometimes the trains are too empty.
No saving pounds at all. Just sensible services to be honest.
The reason for this is given just a few pages ago.It seems crazy to me to have trains terminating at Stalybridge, a station 90 plus per cent of passengers on the train don’t want to go to. What are they meant to do next?
Is it so that cranks can enjoy a pint in the station pub between moves?The reason for this is given just a few pages ago.
2. Hypothetically... could you operate one 68 in the centre of two sets - DT-4x Coach - 68 - 4x Coach - DT - kinda like an autotrain from years gone by? Or would the software not allow it? (I realise there are many practical reasons why a loco in the middle of a set isn't a brilliant idea. Just curious!)
Been plenty of moves with a non 68 loco on the normal end. 57310 for example.1. Whenever I've seen the MK5s hauled by anything other than a 68 (i.e. on ECS moves), it's always with the driving trailer coupled to the locomotive. Is this purely coincidence, or can nothing other than a 68 haul them from the other end?
Cheers, must have missed that!Been plenty of moves with a non 68 loco on the normal end. 57310 for example.
Wouldn't the couplers prevent that or can the coaches be converted? I thought the sets had semi-permanent connections between the coaches and then the coupler for the loco at the end.Wasn't sure whether to start a fresh thread for this but think it's appropriate here... just 2 questions re: the MK5 sets...
1. Whenever I've seen the MK5s hauled by anything other than a 68 (i.e. on ECS moves), it's always with the driving trailer coupled to the locomotive. Is this purely coincidence, or can nothing other than a 68 haul them from the other end?
2. Hypothetically... could you operate one 68 in the centre of two sets - DT-4x Coach - 68 - 4x Coach - DT - kinda like an autotrain from years gone by? Or would the software not allow it? (I realise there are many practical reasons why a loco in the middle of a set isn't a brilliant idea. Just curious!)
Was fortunate enough to be having a pint in the Stalybridge Station Buffet yesterday (Wed 17/11/21) when this came through behind 37800, so dashed out for a shot. Pic below.5M42 Gascoigne Wood - Crewe
37800 TP01/04/03
Realtime Trains - 563U 1133 Gascoigne Wood Sidings to Crewe South Yard

Do you have a higher resolution version of that picture you can share?Was fortunate enough to be having a pint in the Stalybridge Station Buffet yesterday (Wed 17/11/21) when this came through behind 37800, so dashed out for a shot. Pic below.
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Yes - here's one from a slightly different angle.Do you have a higher resolution version of that picture you can share?
That thing certainly earns its keep; it appeared at Reading yesterday evening doing Newport - Wembley! They must hardly ever shut the engine down!Yes - here's one from a slightly different angle.
Went though platform 14 around 14.20 on WednesdayWas fortunate enough to be having a pint in the Stalybridge Station Buffet yesterday (Wed 17/11/21) when this came through behind 37800, so dashed out for a shot. Pic below.
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There is no question of whether there are enough 'working sets'...There is likely the demand to warrant it (the CLC is now back to 2tph "fast" in most hours), but it's a matter of having sufficient working sets, enough places to stable and fuel them, and enough traincrew to run them.
Wasn't sure whether to start a fresh thread for this but think it's appropriate here... just 2 questions re: the MK5 sets...
1. Whenever I've seen the MK5s hauled by anything other than a 68 (i.e. on ECS moves), it's always with the driving trailer coupled to the locomotive. Is this purely coincidence, or can nothing other than a 68 haul them from the other end?
2. Hypothetically... could you operate one 68 in the centre of two sets - DT-4x Coach - 68 - 4x Coach - DT - kinda like an autotrain from years gone by? Or would the software not allow it? (I realise there are many practical reasons why a loco in the middle of a set isn't a brilliant idea. Just curious!)
The number of faults and failures occurring on a daily basis, with only 4 out of 13 sets in passenger service each day, tells a different story. I shudder to think what would be happening right now if the fleet were fully deployed.There is no question of whether there are enough 'working sets'...
Was it 2 sets of Mk5's or just one? I saw it go past out of of the office window and it just seemed really long.Was fortunate enough to be having a pint in the Stalybridge Station Buffet yesterday (Wed 17/11/21) when this came through behind 37800, so dashed out for a shot. Pic below.
It was three I believe.Was it 2 sets of Mk5's or just one? I saw it go past out of of the office window and it just seemed really long.
Yes was 3 setsIt was three I believe.