VT alterations in August.

[Mugby]

I notice that the last Virgin service from Euston to Preston on Saturdays, the 20.31, is diverted to Manchester for six weeks from August 2nd. Bus connections from Crewe to Warrington, Wigan and Preston.

Is this because Virgin aren't equipped to terminate anything at Crewe late at night?

Also, this journey and the other Manchesters after 20.00 have around 30mins extra running time than the usual 2hrs 10mins. Is this because they run via Northampton?

Is this just a Saturday night possession in August, given up Sunday Morning? There's no mention of it on Virgins site. Does anyone know what the work is?

 

[30907]

I notice that the last Virgin service from Euston to Preston on Saturdays, the 20.31, is diverted to Manchester for six weeks from August 2nd. Bus connections from Crewe to Warrington, Wigan and Preston.

Is this because Virgin aren't equipped to terminate anything at Crewe late at night?

Possibly, but the stock is headed for longsight anyway so why not run it?

 

[Mugby]

Possibly, but the stock is headed for longsight anyway so why not run it?

Ah, interesting. Where does the stock go when it terminates at Preston, given that the route to Manchester has only recently been electrified?

 

[Whistler40145]

I've had a look on RTT & it doesn't show the 20:31 to Preston, am I missing something?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Ah, interesting. Where does the stock go when it terminates at Preston, given that the route to Manchester has only recently been electrified?

Edge Hill (only one or two IIRC, via Crewe) or Longsight - it would have been loco hauled via Chorley, Westhoughton or Atherton at a guess, and it may still happen (for route or traction retention needs).

 

[The Planner]

2000 is the start of the two track timetable if I recall so everything gets timed on the worst case routing.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I've had a look on RTT & it doesn't show the 20:31 to Preston, am I missing something?

Between 02 August and 06 September, for example:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y81783/2014/08/30/advanced

 

[Boodiggy]

2000 is the start of the two track timetable if I recall so everything gets timed on the worst case routing.

That is correct all of our possessions on west coast south on a Saturday start at 2000 / 2005 and run through to 1200 on Sunday with the no booked service time between 0130 - 0630 when all lines are blocked. There is a two line railway timetable for this.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

That doesn't really explain the diversion of the last Preston train to Manchester on August Saturdays though.
Warrington and Wigan are still open for late NT, TP and AW services, with a Blackpool-Liverpool diverted via Golborne Jn.
Seems to be work going on between Crewe and Warrington.

 

[The Planner]

Block comes on earlier between Winwick Jn and Springs Branch during those dates, 2150 instead of 2325/2330.

 

[ic250]

There also seem to be some alterations to the usual route out of Glasgow.

Compare these:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y81716/2014/08/30/advanced

and

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y81656/2014/08/30/advanced
(normal route via Motherwell)

Anyone know why?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

There also seem to be some alterations to the usual route out of Glasgow.

Compare these:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y81716/2014/08/30/advanced

and

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y81656/2014/08/30/advanced
(normal route via Motherwell)

Anyone know why?

That's nothing unusual, the 0428 usually runs that way (Saturdays only I believe) to, at a guess, maintain route knowledge. It's certainly been like that for the past couple of years.

 

[Class 170101]

I think its the same on Weekdays too usually.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y81832/2014/08/04/advanced

This week is missing FO which has its own schedule running via Motherwell.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I think its the same on Weekdays too usually.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y81832/2014/08/04/advanced

This week is missing FO which has its own schedule running via Motherwell.

Ah, I see - the Saturdays also run additionally via Mount Florida, whilst the weekday ones run via the WCML - both then run via Holytown.

 

[Mugby]

Further to this, I notice that starting Saturday night there are bus connections at Crewe off the 20.31 from EUS for Warrington and Preston but not Wigan. (according to NRE and VT)

Wigan passengers are told to take the bus to Preston and wait until next morning to return south with a journey time of 10hrs 25mins. Strange when the Virgin all lines booklet shows a bus from Crewe arriving WNW at 00.20.

Does anyone know which is correct?

 

[Tetchytyke]

Looks like it could be cockup, RTT shows the bus as travelling via Wigan North Western but not stopping: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/bus/C75758/2014/08/02/advanced

Although VT on twitter have said it won't be calling at Wigan https://twitter.com/VirginTrains/status/494120589742047234

 

[Francis]

The bus is scheduled to take 90 mins to drive from Warrington Bank Quay to Preston. You can get on the M6 and do it in about 45 I reckon. So it looks as if the bus has been timed to include a stop in Wigan, which doesn't however appear!

 

[Mugby]

Both NRE and VT are now showing two buses, both departing Crewe at 22.45.

One takes 1hr 25mins arriving Preston at 00.10
The other takes 2hrs 25 mins arriving Preston at 01.10.

 

[Whistler40145]

Normally, one is non stop to Preston (1hr 25) and the other calling at Warrington Bank Quay and Wigan North Western (2hr 25).

Can some kind person confirm this.

 

[Mugby]

Normally, one is non stop to Preston (1hr 25) and the other calling at Warrington Bank Quay and Wigan North Western (2hr 25).

Can some kind person confirm this.

Not until Saturday night I'm afraid. I should be on the one stopping at WBQ.