Virgin Trains Proposed services

[Whistler40145]

Whilst listening to the news on BBC Radio Lancashire this morning, I heard that Virgin Trains are proposing to introduce a service from Blackpool North to London Euston in December, if it gets approval.

First of all, does anyone know if this is mere speculation or true fact?

Sorry mods if this is in the wrong section. If so, please move it.

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[Silv1983]

It's fact that they've submitted an application. It was on North West today, today.
3 trains a day I think or there abouts (my memory fails me on this important fact).

 

[Whistler40145]

Does anyone know how Virgin proposes to make Voyagers available for this service?


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[driver9000]

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/n...iness/capital-link-s-right-on-track-1-5476780

According to The Blackpool Gazette they'll be calling at Kirkham! I was expecting Poulton to be a calling point. I seem to recall it mentioned the stock is going to be sourced by diverting a Lancaster terminator to Blackpool.

 

[merlodlliw]

At the meeting with ATW Commercial Director last evening in Wrexham, it is fact VT will be running a Shrewsbury/London service twice a day each way from December, this question was raised & answered, it is known the application to the ORR will be blessed with a yes for both new services.
LM/ATW/Northern have raised no objection to either of the services & the VT Non comp died last December as well.

 

[ainsworth74]

Wasn't this part of the extension deal with the DfT? That they'd still try and introduce the new services that the FWC (and they themselves in their bid) were planning on introducing to Shrewsbury and Blackpool?

 

[Goatboy]

Does anyone know how Virgin proposes to make Voyagers available for this service?

They'll be using refurbished Class 47's and two off-lease rakes of Mk2D's.

 

[Whistler40145]

That's a surprise, don't Virgin have sufficient Voyagers?

How will they get paths on the WCML for a 47, which has a lower Max Speed than a Voyager?


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[anthony263]

That's a surprise, don't Virgin have sufficient Voyagers?

How will they get paths on the WCML for a 47, which has a lower Max Speed than a Voyager?


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If this were actually true can you see Grand Central being pleased cconsidering that their application to run Blackpool - London services using class 67's was rejected

 

[umontu]

As a Wes-ham'er (Note: it's not WESHam as the (mostly) Liverpool guards and Transpennine pronounce wrong)
I'm amazed they're calling at Kirkham, I'd use it... however, I'm not sure they'll be off peak so £100+ a ticket.

 

[The Planner]

They'll be using refurbished Class 47's and two off-lease rakes of Mk2D's.

Not a chance of getting paths on the southern WCML with them. Where has that info come from?

 

[CC 72100]

Not a chance of getting paths on the southern WCML with them. Where has that info come from?

I think it was a joke....

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/n...iness/capital-link-s-right-on-track-1-5476780

According to The Blackpool Gazette they'll be calling at Kirkham! I was expecting Poulton to be a calling point. I seem to recall it mentioned the stock is going to be sourced by diverting a Lancaster terminator to Blackpool.

There's only one terminator/starter now isn't there (the early Voyager which combines with a Holyhead portion at Crewe)?
It must be Voyagers released by putting more 390s on BHM-Scotland.
I imagine the nn33/57 paths out of Euston will be used in hours not already filled.

 

[Goatboy]

Not a chance of getting paths on the southern WCML with them. Where has that info come from?

I was being sarcastic..

 

[Clip]

Will this direct service be any quicker than the journey already is with a change or two?

 

[newbryford]

Doesn't need to be much quicker. The benefit of not having to change from P2 to P4 at Preston is justification enough.....................

Cheers,
Mick

 

[Clip]

So it is or isnt then?

 

[newbryford]

Without a change it should be quicker - even if it's only a few minutes. I can't see the Voyager (or whatever) hanging around at Preston longer than it needs to. Stopping pattern south of Preston may have an effect, but if it's rumoured to be a service to "replace" one starting from Lancaster, then I would assume the calling points are the same.

Cheers,
Mick

 

[Whistler40145]

I presume as per other Euston services from Preston that it won't call at Crewe?


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[Xenophon PCDGS]

It will be interesting to see the passenger numbers to and from Blackpool who use these services to access and egress London.

 

[Clip]

It will be interesting to see the passenger numbers to and from Blackpool who use these services to access and egress London.

Always a concern of mine when new direct routes to London are proposed, though if its just going to be an extended Lancaster service then thats not too bad

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Always a concern of mine when new direct routes to London are proposed, though if its just going to be an extended Lancaster service then thats not too bad

But they have been decrying the loss of the direct London rail services in Blackpool for some years now, so it will be of interest to see how this expressed regret and reinvigourated interest reflects itself in actual passenger loading figures on these reinstated services.

There is an old saying..."The proof of the pudding is in the eating".

 

[Clip]

Doesnt everyone moan about a lack of a direct route to London though from theri Town/City

But yeah Id like to see the numbers for sure..

 

[Sammy h]

Most of the Lancaster terminators stopped after the timetable change in December.

We only have the 05:35 LAN-EUS now. Then the 13:33 EUS-LAN terminates here and goes back empty stock to the depot, so I am not sure how they can utilise anything from Lancaster?

The 10:30, 12:30 and 14:30 from Euston used to all terminate at Lancs and then head back to Euston, but they all go straight up to Glasgow now.

Like someone else said I imagine it will be more 390's on the BHM-EUS?

 

[PR1Berske]

Could one of the services be the 0533 PRE-EUS, started at BPN at whatever time needed to otherwise keep the timings the same?

 

[The Planner]

I was being sarcastic..

Considering the amount of utter nonsense often put on here, you take things at face value...

 

[Nym]

Or it could combine with the new salop services at Stafford???

 

[sheff'd victoria]

It will be interesting to see the passenger numbers to and from Blackpool who use these services to access and egress London.

If this service runs on a Saturday I can see it been well used by both Blackpool & Fleetwood Town football fans for away games in the London area

 

[Aldaniti]

If we are to continue to suffer this flawed model of 'privatisation' then the WCML north of Birmingham desperately needs some competition. Preston, Warrington & Wigan are lucrative pickings for Virgin and passengers from those stations have suffered the effects of this monopoly for long enough. Blackpool to London would be ideal for an Open Access operator such as Grand Central. The problem is, as others have indicated, finding the right stock to fit into the available paths.

 

[merlodlliw]

If we are to continue to suffer this flawed model of 'privatisation' then the WCML north of Birmingham desperately needs some competition. Preston, Warrington & Wigan are lucrative pickings for Virgin and passengers from those stations have suffered the effects of this monopoly for long enough. Blackpool to London would be ideal for an Open Access operator such as Grand Central. The problem is, as others have indicated, finding the right stock to fit into the available paths.

and the non Compi one of the reasons that killed off WS is now gone, so Brum/Crewe/Preston are now open to all, paths avail that is.