VT 57 drag returns to Nth Wales

[merlodlliw]

Virgin news: Pendolinos return
Interesting news is that the Saturdays-only haulage by a Class 57/3 of a London - Holyhead Pendolino between Crewe and Holyhead, suspended some months ago and replaced by a Voyager turn, re-appears for the summer timetable, starting on 24 May. The trains concerned are the 08:50 London - Holyhead (Crewe d. 10:45) and 14:36 return (arr. Crewe 16:44, London 18:38) - the last through train from North Wales to London on Saturdays, and non stop from Rhyl to Chester at that.

Incidentally, the Virgin Trains timetable leaflet (PDF download) for North Wales now comes in separate English and Welsh language editions. If the leaflet is to be believed, full breakfast is served Mondays - Fridays to First Class passengers on all four of the morning London trains, including the 08:55 from Holyhead, and evening meals on the 17:10 and 18:10 from London. What sort of meals are produced on the Voyagers, does anyone know? Presumably meal service is only in one of the coupled pairs of 221s which form these services.

From Charlie Humes website 18 May www.nwrail.org.uk

 

[Geezertronic]

It's probably easier to drag a Pendolino than to double up Voyagers if more passenger space is required?

 

[Techniquest]

I was of the belief there has always been a hauled working over the coast (one return trip on Sats or Suns) to ensure driver knowledge and all that bajazz is kept up to date.

As for the Welsh and English timetables, they've been doing that for years, although I don't believe the last timetable had a Welsh version. Might just have not seen it, but I know for fact I had a Welsh version of it in 2007.

 

[175001]

I was of the belief there has always been a hauled working over the coast (one return trip on Sats or Suns) to ensure driver knowledge and all that bajazz is kept up to date.

As for the Welsh and English timetables, they've been doing that for years, although I don't believe the last timetable had a Welsh version. Might just have not seen it, but I know for fact I had a Welsh version of it in 2007.

The drag was replaced soon after the December timetable came into force.

And yes you are correct, the Welsh versions have been about for a while now, i've a Welsh copy from May 2002!

 

[Philip Elliott]

I was of the belief there has always been a hauled working over the coast (one return trip on Sats or Suns) to ensure driver knowledge and all that bajazz is kept up to date

And that is indeed why it is running.