[Spagnoletti]

Originally Posted by Mutant Lemming

Although it would cost to re-instate the crossover at Runcorn what are the obstacles in the way of running a shuttle between Chester and Runcorn using the Liverpool platform as a reversing point ?

I don't believe it's possible to signal that move. Don't think there is a crossover at the Frodsham end either?

[frodshamfella]

The Halton curve being brought back into full use is certainly a line that would provide a useful link, I guess its just down to funding to bring it to fruition.

[cle]

How expensive can the resignalling be? It's going to be a flat junction, so nothing too fancy. Just reinstating a very standard arrangement.

[Eagle]

Originally Posted by Mutant Lemming

Although it would cost to re-instate the crossover at Runcorn what are the obstacles in the way of running a shuttle between Chester and Runcorn using the Liverpool platform as a reversing point ?

Complete resignalling, not just of the curve but the lines around it which'll need to be redone to take it into account.

[Mutant Lemming]

Why the hell did they keep a one way curve ?

[142094]

Originally Posted by Mutant Lemming

Why the hell did they keep a one way curve ?

Freight mainly.

[Mutant Lemming]

Originally Posted by 142094

Freight mainly.

One way ? no empties running to pick up ? Sounds a bit like the logic of 'One Way Pendulum'.

[142094]

Originally Posted by Mutant Lemming

One way ? no empties running to pick up ? Sounds a bit like the logic of 'One Way Pendulum'.

I'm not too familiar with the area, but I guess it returns via a different route.

[SprinterMan]

Originally Posted by Eagle

Hmm. Looking at the booked departures:

A Northern service arrives into p6 from Helsby at 07.25.
A Northern service arrives into p6 from Manchester at 07.44.
A Northern service departs from p6 to Runcorn at 07.53.
A Northern service departs from p6 to Manchester at 08.07.

Bearing in mind that p6 is a bay platform, I can only surmise that there will be two units in p6 at once, and you want the front one.

Really? Is it ECS or what?
Adam

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Originally Posted by Mutant Lemming

Why the hell did they keep a one way curve ?

S they could remove the crossovers at either end to keep maintenance cheap, but didn't have to go through the parliamentary procedure of closing the line.

[frodshamfella]

It would seem not likely to offer a direct service from Chester to Lpool South Parkway and Lime Street on this service any time soon, but was worth asking.

26 May 2012

Our Reference NR/ 258682

Dear Mr Spurling

Thank you for your email.

I can understand your request regarding the Northern service from Chester to Runcorn and I asked our Timetable Planning Manager, Peter Warhurst if it is possible to implement.

He has now replied with the following:

Our Service Level Commitment with the Department for Transport specifies that this service should operate between Chester and Runcorn. We also do not currently have Track Access Rights to operate passenger services between Runcorn and Liverpool South Parkway.
Given the nature of the service from Chester, and the fact that there is a service for Liverpool South Parkway and Lime Street just over 10 minutes behind, there are no plans to alter the current arrangements.

I trust that this explains why it there are no plans to implement your suggestion.

Yours sincerely

Brian Walker
Customer Relations Officer
FREEPOST RLSL-ABEC-BGUU

[Mutant Lemming]

Originally Posted by frodshamfella

It would seem not likely to offer a direct service from Chester to Lpool South Parkway and Lime Street on this service any time soon, but was worth asking.

26 May 2012

Our Reference NR/ 258682

Dear Mr Spurling

Thank you for your email.

I can understand your request regarding the Northern service from Chester to Runcorn and I asked our Timetable Planning Manager, Peter Warhurst if it is possible to implement.

He has now replied with the following:

Our Service Level Commitment with the Department for Transport specifies that this service should operate between Chester and Runcorn. We also do not currently have Track Access Rights to operate passenger services between Runcorn and Liverpool South Parkway.
Given the nature of the service from Chester, and the fact that there is a service for Liverpool South Parkway and Lime Street just over 10 minutes behind, there are no plans to alter the current arrangements.

I trust that this explains why it there are no plans to implement your suggestion.

Yours sincerely

Brian Walker
Customer Relations Officer
FREEPOST RLSL-ABEC-BGUU

The usual reasons not to do something rather than the 'proactive' approach most TOC's pretend to preach.

[Greybeard33]

I happened to see the 09:22 "parly" Pacer to Stalybridge via Reddish South leaving Stockport today... and counted 7 passengers on board! Not bad for a once weekly, one way service cunningly timed to depart just before the end of the peak fares period. It surely indicates some latent demand for a more frequent service. I know the usual excuse is lack of paths, but NR manages to accommodate occasional freight and tour workings on this route, and there are regular ECS movements between Newton Heath and Stockport, e.g. to form the 16:58 and 17:58 Stockport to Chester and from the 07:35 Chester to Stockport.

[tbtc]

Originally Posted by Greybeard33

I happened to see the 09:22 "parly" Pacer to Stalybridge via Reddish South leaving Stockport today... and counted 7 passengers on board! Not bad for a once weekly, one way service cunningly timed to depart just before the end of the peak fares period. It surely indicates some latent demand for a more frequent service

I'd be interested to know how many of those seven were people needing the train service and how many of them were enthusiasts using it because of its limited nature

[Greybeard33]

Originally Posted by tbtc

I'd be interested to know how many of those seven were people needing the train service and how many of them were enthusiasts using it because of its limited nature

Sorry, I didn't interview them, but they were spread out in both carriages, not clustered at the front. If this is typical, about 350 enthusiasts a year seems rather a lot, especially considering there are a number of opportunities to see the delights of Reddish and Denton from railtour specials each summer.

[142094]

Originally Posted by Greybeard33

I happened to see the 09:22 "parly" Pacer to Stalybridge via Reddish South leaving Stockport today... and counted 7 passengers on board! Not bad for a once weekly, one way service cunningly timed to depart just before the end of the peak fares period. It surely indicates some latent demand for a more frequent service. I know the usual excuse is lack of paths, but NR manages to accommodate occasional freight and tour workings on this route, and there are regular ECS movements between Newton Heath and Stockport, e.g. to form the 16:58 and 17:58 Stockport to Chester and from the 07:35 Chester to Stockport.

I'll be on that train next Friday, and co-incidentally will need a Stockport - Denton ticket as the pass I use doesn't start until 09.30.

Not sure if I'll count as enthusiast or passenger, as I'm going to Stalybridge buffet for breakfast...