Why are there no direct trains to Blackpool North?

[Eric]

Why is there no direct trains to Blackpool North from Leeds or Bradford anymore?

It seems madness that by changing at Preston to catch the stopper, journeys are now nearly 40 to 50 minutes longer.

Very frustrating and seems to be putting people off judging by the recent loading on the train.

 

[cactustwirly]

Why is there no direct trains to Blackpool North from Leeds or Bradford anymore?

It seems madness that by changing at Preston to catch the stopper, journeys are now nearly 40 to 50 minutes longer.

Very frustrating and seems to be putting people off judging by the recent loading on the train.

Because Blackpool isn't the centre of the universe, it doesn't need direct trains to everywhere!

 

[tiptoptaff]

I would suggest the wider problems with Northern Rail and delays to the reopening of the Blackpool North branch have had a great effect on passenger numbers than cutting the direct service to Leeds and Bradford

 

[billio]

I travelled between Leeds and Blackpool a few weeks ago.
I would prefer a direct journey, but I wouldn't complain about the transfer from the Leeds train to the Blackpool train at Preston, because it was cross platform and we were off to Blackpool pretty quickly on a smooth, fairly quiet, comfortable train.
The return journey similarly had a reasonable connection except it was necessary to walk from one end of the station to the other and if you had been a bit casual about it or elderly etc. you would have missed the connection.
As to the journey time, I agree it is poor. I wonder if additional stops have been added to the journey.
(There was also the idiotic idea that passengers should only go on the platform at Blackpool, a minute or two before the train was supposed to depart. You could see the driver and guard were annoyed.)

 

[AMD]

Fleet utilisation - with Bolton not yet electric as planned there's a shortage of diesel units. By turning the Leeds services at Preston it frees up a couple of units, and the timetable slot between Preston and Blackpool is run as a shuttle using a 319 - as the electric fleet isn't as stretched.

 

[Ianno87]

Why is there no direct trains to Blackpool North from Leeds or Bradford anymore?

It seems madness that by changing at Preston to catch the stopper, journeys are now nearly 40 to 50 minutes longer.

Very frustrating and seems to be putting people off judging by the recent loading on the train.

Basically because Northern's DMU fleet is having to stretch to cover routes that should have been electrified but aren't - cutting short to Preston frees up a DMU for something else.

The service had been cut back since last Autumn anyway because of the Blackpool blockade - it's merely just continued the cut back on longer.

I understand once Northern's issues (and wiring is done via Bolton) the through trains will return.

 

[Eric]

I travelled between Leeds and Blackpool a few weeks ago.
I would prefer a direct journey, but I wouldn't complain about the transfer from the Leeds train to the Blackpool train at Preston, because it was cross platform and we were off to Blackpool pretty quickly on a smooth, fairly quiet, comfortable train.
The return journey similarly had a reasonable connection except it was necessary to walk from one end of the station to the other and if you had been a bit casual about it or elderly etc. you would have missed the connection.
As to the journey time, I agree it is poor. I wonder if additional stops have been added to the journey.
(There was also the idiotic idea that passengers should only go on the platform at Blackpool, a minute or two before the train was supposed to depart. You could see the driver and guard were annoyed.)

This practice of keeping everyone locked out onto the platform is so antiquated and delayed my train leaving.

The new timetable only gave us eight minutes to change at Preston and as you say it stops right up near the entrance with the new designated Bradford platform the end bays. we were lucky that they held the train as those off first stop the conductor closing the doors.

 

[Eric]

Basically because Northern's DMU fleet is having to stretch to cover routes that should have been electrified but aren't - cutting short to Preston frees up a DMU for something else.

The service had been cut back since last Autumn anyway because of the Blackpool blockade - it's merely just continued the cut back on longer.

I understand once Northern's issues (and wiring is done via Bolton) the through trains will return.

Thank you.

Do you know why they keep everyone like cattle behind the glass doors at Blackpool?

Why be so strict?

 

[Ianno87]

Thank you.

Do you know why they keep everyone like cattle behind the glass doors at Blackpool?

Why be so strict?

Can. Worms. Open. One of the great mysteries of the universe (and the subject of much debate in other threads on this very forum).

 

[Darandio]

Thank you.

Do you know why they keep everyone like cattle behind the glass doors at Blackpool?

Why be so strict?

Some of the greatest minds of this earth have tried and failed to come up with an answer. Good luck with your quest to find out!

 

[jon0844]

I was in Blackpool this weekend just gone and experienced this odd way of boarding a train (hint; it's not an airport) and the more annoying thing was that the strike meant NO trains after 1836 on Saturday with no replacement buses (or taxis) as it had apparently been announced ahead of time.

I'd actually seen trains showing as running and read advice that they expected 30% of services to run but by that afternoon they were all showing as cancelled. A bit cheeky to refuse to transport people by other means if the National Rail app was suggesting trains (perhaps by mistake though).

There were quite a few people for the illuminations who were stuffed.

Anyway, back to the airport departure gates...

 

[SilentGrade]

I was in Blackpool this weekend just gone and experienced this odd way of boarding a train (hint; it's not an airport) and the more annoying thing was that the strike meant NO trains after 1836 on Saturday with no replacement buses (or taxis) as it had apparently been announced ahead of time.

I'd actually seen trains showing as running and read advice that they expected 30% of services to run but by that afternoon they were all showing as cancelled. A bit cheeky to refuse to transport people by other means if the National Rail app was suggesting trains (perhaps by mistake though).

There were quite a few people for the illuminations who were stuffed.

Anyway, back to the airport departure gates... View attachment 53322

At least the couple in the foreground appear to be enjoying the queue.

 

[jon0844]

At least the couple in the foreground appear to be enjoying the queue.

They possibly thought they were at Pleasure Beach.

 

[Eric]

I was in Blackpool this weekend just gone and experienced this odd way of boarding a train (hint; it's not an airport) and the more annoying thing was that the strike meant NO trains after 1836 on Saturday with no replacement buses (or taxis) as it had apparently been announced ahead of time.

I'd actually seen trains showing as running and read advice that they expected 30% of services to run but by that afternoon they were all showing as cancelled. A bit cheeky to refuse to transport people by other means if the National Rail app was suggesting trains (perhaps by mistake though).

There were quite a few people for the illuminations who were stuffed.

Anyway, back to the airport departure gates... View attachment 53322

Isn't having people queue like that a fire hazard?

When me and my wife were queueing a train arrived and people were arriving with suitcases and prams and were just barging into each other.

 

[jon0844]

Isn't having people queue like that a fire hazard?

When me and my wife were queueing a train arrived and people were arriving with suitcases and prams and were just barging into each other.

I can see it being a mess for sure. I can imagine it being hard to see what queue is what when there are multiple trains due to leave soon.

We were actually let on the platform with quite a bit of time to spare but it didn't stop people running as if we were being let into Harrods on Boxing Day.

It is a truly bizarre way to manage people!

 

[Loop & Link]

[Deleted]

 

[HowardGWR]

Looking on NRE journey planner at one example:

10:50 Leeds-Manchester Oxford Road, 11:51 Manchester Oxford Road-Blackpool North - Journey time - 2hr20

On a Sunday when there are direct trains:

11:02 Leeds-Blackpool North - Journey Time 2hr20.......

Yes, but Blackpool is a leisure destination and having to change and be corralled like cattle is not what people who visit by car from Leeds have to do. Driving time from Leeds anyone?

 

[Robertj21a]

Isn't having people queue like that a fire hazard?

When me and my wife were queueing a train arrived and people were arriving with suitcases and prams and were just barging into each other.

OK, I'll fall for it. Since when was a queue of people a fire hazard ?

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

Aren’t there plans for Direct services regularly to York Via Bradford and Leeds?

 

[WatcherZero]

Blackpool-York direct via Blackburn is being considered, as is increasing Liverpool services to 2tph.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Isn't having people queue like that a fire hazard?

When me and my wife were queueing a train arrived and people were arriving with suitcases and prams and were just barging into each other.

OK, I'll fall for it. Since when was a queue of people a fire hazard ?

Once you've seen the size of the fire exit doors (in the corner opposite the higher numbered platforms) you will know the answer is "not a problem".

 

[Segedunum]

I travelled between Leeds and Blackpool a few weeks ago.
I would prefer a direct journey, but I wouldn't complain about the transfer from the Leeds train to the Blackpool train at Preston, because it was cross platform and we were off to Blackpool pretty quickly on a smooth, fairly quiet, comfortable train.
The return journey similarly had a reasonable connection except it was necessary to walk from one end of the station to the other and if you had been a bit casual about it or elderly etc. you would have missed the connection.
As to the journey time, I agree it is poor. I wonder if additional stops have been added to the journey.
(There was also the idiotic idea that passengers should only go on the platform at Blackpool, a minute or two before the train was supposed to depart. You could see the driver and guard were annoyed.)

There's now Bramley (in one direction), Sowerby Bridge and Mytholmroyd calls added to the Preston services, and this is seemingly set to continue when it becomes a York to Preston from December.

 

[Ianno87]

Yes, but Blackpool is a leisure destination and having to change and be corralled like cattle is not what people who visit by car from Leeds have to do. Driving time from Leeds anyone?

No-one is disputing that - the enforced change is a temporary compromise simply due to not having enough diesel trains to stretch, so needlessly running of a diesel under the wires is being avoided.

 

[ainsworth74]

Do you know why they keep everyone like cattle behind the glass doors at Blackpool?

Why be so strict?

Can. Worms. Open. One of the great mysteries of the universe (and the subject of much debate in other threads on this very forum).

Some of the greatest minds of this earth have tried and failed to come up with an answer. Good luck with your quest to find out!

Until the recent works were completed that completely rebuilt the platforms any tanking (refilling water tanks) required the use of hoses which were strung across the platforms. Whoever did the risk assessment on that decided that it was, therefore, unsafe to have passengers wandering the platforms whilst this took place. Hence doors and the bizarre boarding arrangements.

Since the rebuild the hoses are now safely stowed in the platform edges under metal hatches (as seen at many locations throughout the network). However, clearly, no one has looked at the door policy again in light of the changed circumstances.

It is clearly utterly crazy and I've experienced a train arrive on time and then leave late due this practice. But, presumably, Northern management are unwilling to do anything about it (I cannot believe they aren't aware of the situation!).

 

[jon0844]

OK, I'll fall for it. Since when was a queue of people a fire hazard ?

I didn't see the word fire, just hazard, but perhaps the risk is that in the event of a fire everyone is expected to queue for the fire exit to be opened.

 

[The Box Photter]

It's just because the staff at Blackpool North are the most miserable bunch of mysanthropic gits I've ever had the displeasure of encountering at a railway station anywhere in the world. They are under the impression that passengers (and railway enthusiast passengers in particular) should be kept away from the trains at all cost for as long as possible so as to make the end of any pleasant day in Blackpool a dismal, tiresome chore.

They delight in applying the maximum possible inconvenience on intending passengers whilst ensuring they do the least work possible as part of what I can only describe as a sinecure of a job.

They should all be dismissed immediately for multiple and frequent displays of discourtesy verging on downright hostility. Don't even attempt to take a photograph on the platform, even one of the train you've just alighted from. It's a criminal offence apparently on a par with smearing Novichock onto door handles or throwing bagged kittens into a fast-flowing stream.

The sooner the station is reduced to an unstaffed halt the better.

 

[dk1]

Nothing sinister in the descision just that it makes perfect DMU fleet utilisation sense due to the issues enforced on Northern as stated. All will right itself eventually.

 

[Starmill]

Services are being more than "considered" the through trains are a franchise requirement. They are suspended temporarily, until the rolling stock situation is resolved.

 

[Bantamzen]

Ironically, I'll be making the Baildon-Bradford-Blackpool journey quite a bit over the coming months for my current work's project, just at a time when as the OP notes the services terminate at Preston. It does however have a beneficial side effect in that two of my team based at different sites elsewhere in the country will also be going, and all our arrivals into Preston are within 15 minutes of each other meaning we can travel together towards Blackpool & get a taxi to the site we'll be visiting (saves a bit of cash, I am from Yorkshire after all!! )

 

[chorleyjeff]

Looking on NRE journey planner at one example:

10:50 Leeds-Manchester Oxford Road, 11:51 Manchester Oxford Road-Blackpool North - Journey time - 2hr20

On a Sunday when there are direct trains:

11:02 Leeds-Blackpool North - Journey Time 2hr20.......

More expensive via Manchester ?
Certainly more expensive Preston to York via Manchester.