Voyagers on Middlewich Line

[darren_caf]

I'm new to the forum but have been reading it for quite a while.

I've just moved to near the Northwich to Sandbach line. The last two Saturdays I've noticed a Voyager travelling along the line just after 8am. Does anybody know why these Voyagers are using the line?

Thanks in advance!

 

[northwichcat]

It's a booked working for driver route knowledge purposes. Crewe-Middlewich-Northwich-Chester is the alternative route Virgin use for Holyhead-London services when the Chester-Crewe line is closed for engineering works or disruption, so some Virgin drivers need to know the Middlewich route.

 

[darren_caf]

Thanks for you're reply. Just used to seeing the odd freight working down there!

 

[AJP62]

I work alongside this line and have seen the occasional Voyager going along the line, normally southbound. I think these pre-dated the Chester turns so I always assumed there had been a problem on the WCML and they'd come off the WCML at Hartford and diverted down through Middlewich to get to Crewe.

Is that route retained for knowldege?

 

[voyagerdude220]

Looking on Open Train Times, it looks as if the Super Voyager the OP refers to is an ECS movement between Crewe and Holyhead, I assume it runs via Middlewich to retain route knowledge.

It unfortunately appears to have stopped running from last weekend, with it only running for a couple of weeks.

http://www.opentraintimes.com/schedule/C57420/2012/9/1

The 10:55 Holyhead to Euston doesn't seem to run on Saturdays at the moment.

 

[darren_caf]

I didn't know about the Open Train Times site so, thanks for the information.

It seems that the Middlewich line ECS working is being switched, from this Saturday, to a working from Preston to Crewe:-
http://www.opentraintimes.com/schedule/C55576/2012/9/15

 

[voyagerdude220]

You're welcome.

That working you refer to may be the Class 57 heading down to Crewe in order to work the Euston to Holyhead drag from Crewe?

 

[merlodlliw]

Open train times are interesting, anyone show me the working of the VT Crewe to Wrexham Mon Fri in the morning, I know it picks up someone off Chesters platform 3 at around 0635, then runs to Wrexham for the 0700 London service. And welcome Darren Caf

Thanks

Bob

 

[MCR247]

Just search it? Say Monday at Chester at 0630?

www.opentraintimes.com

 

[merlodlliw]

Just search it? Say Monday at Chester at 0630?

www.opentraintimes.com

thanks

Bob

 

[Welshman]

I didn't know about the Open Train Times site so, thanks for the information.

It seems that the Middlewich line ECS working is being switched, from this Saturday, to a working from Preston to Crewe:-
http://www.opentraintimes.com/schedule/C55576/2012/9/15

Interesting, too that that working is also routed via Newton-le-Willows to keep the Golborne Junction/Winwick Junction via Earlestown diversion refreshed.