Virgin Trains to Blackpool

[Dunc108]

Pretty quiet based on my limited observations at Preston. Even leaving Preston it's not that busy. But it is an 11 car Pendolino. I suspect it will get much busier at Wolverhampton & Birmingham.

I'm not surprised it's quiet, who on earth wants to travel at that daft hour of the morning? Very few it seems...

 

[Deerfold]

Looking at that single ticket price above...I think I'll fly if it's all the same!

There don't seem to be any advances from Blackpool - however looking at the first week I can see advance singles from Wigan to Euston for £27 - with a single from Blackpool to Wigan being £12.30.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I assume, when its electrified in a few years time, Blackpool N with have at least 2 platforms long enough to take 11 car Pendelinos/ 2 x 5 car Voyagers ? Will Poulton , Kirkham have suitable length platforms ??

I'm not sure life will change much even when the wires are live.
There won't be any new Pendolinos to run additional services to Blackpool.
One early and late, and that's about it.

 

[driver9000]

I'm not surprised it's quiet, who on earth wants to travel at that daft hour of the morning? Very few it seems...

I'd hardly say 7am is a daft hour of the morning. While the 06:58 may not be full and standing it does carry a decent load from Lancaster of workers heading off to their offices either connecting into other services at Preston or staying on further south. The 05:35 from Lancaster has been pinched to become the Blackpool, this service carried 10-15 from Lancaster the times I caught it. A new 05:16 formed of extending the 05:33 ex Preston back to Lancaster replaces the 05:35. I wonder if many will take to coming out 20 minutes earlier?