Last EMU's to Hazel Grove - Fri 9th May

[Crossover]

Me and a couple of other people are considering taking this, the 19:22 from Manchester Piccadilly to Hazel Grove on 9th May, since as of the timetable change, this single EMU working goes to DMU, removing all electric services from the branch.

Sadly, this date isn't the date of the last service (16th May) but I cannot make the latter

Anyone else interested in joining?

 

[causton]

Any information on why this train is being converted? Seems a bit of a backward step moving it from EMU to DMU but is there something I'm missing?

(Won't be available on that date, but am looking at using it when I'm in the area next week!)

 

[Crossover]

It is being extended to somewhere that is not wired (or from somewhere that isn't, I forget which) so cannot remain as EMU

Backwards and illogical - well, it wouldn't be the railways if it wasn't!

EDIT: It currently starts at Manchester Picc but from the timetable change will start at Preston, hence the change

 

[causton]

I see! Wish I had known about this sooner as I could have done the last one on Friday, alas I am around Thursday night so can do it then, then doing the Friday parly, then off to Wales! Thanks for the heads up though

 

[Crossover]

Aye - interestingly, the return ECS is still timed 323!!!

 

[Starmill]

To clarify, I'll be at this one
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Any information on why this train is being converted? Seems a bit of a backward step moving it from EMU to DMU but is there something I'm missing?

(Won't be available on that date, but am looking at using it when I'm in the area next week!)

Basically it doesn't make any difference. It's only 1tpd anyway!

The train will start from Preston from the new timetable, so a suitable Piccadilly - Hazel Grove working won't be available at any point for a 323 to turn up on. If there were enough 323s in the pool, they could alter all the diagrams to reflect their higher availability and go back to having them running regularly. Also IIRC Northern's franchise requires Stockport - Bolton services, so something else will need extending in place.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Is the non electrified section of the route a very long one?

 

[Crossover]

Of the new diagram? Deansgate ish to Preston

 

[ianhr]

To clarify, I'll be at this one
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Also IIRC Northern's franchise requires Stockport - Bolton services, so something else will need extending in place.

Does anyone know why this is so vital?

Will GMPTE be claiming back the money they spent on the Hazel Grove electrification?

 

[Starmill]

Is the non electrified section of the route a very long one?

Of the new diagram? Deansgate ish to Preston

Ordsall Lane Junction to Euxton Junction - just before Salford Crescent to just before Leyland (of course, this is due to be electrified).

 

[34D]

Crossover, if I'm free on Fri and have some spare pennies I may well come along. Will pm on Friday daytime.

 

[gnolife]

I see! Wish I had known about this sooner as I could have done the last one on Friday, alas I am around Thursday night so can do it then, then doing the Friday parly, then off to Wales! Thanks for the heads up though

I'm planning on joining this week's Denton Flyer at Reddish. I'll keep an eye out for you.

As for the Hazel Grove, I've got plans to be at the Cornerhouse (near MCO) for a 2010 showing of The Wind Rises, which I've been waiting months for. I may go for going to SPT on it, but unfortunately don't thin that I can make it all the way down to the Grove on it.

 

[Crossover]

If all goes to plan, I'll be leaving work at 1pm (hopefully nothing holds me up in the office as it tends to do!), parking at either Derker or Mumps and travelling in. It is semi-likely that I will do a train/tram ticket so may be doing some other stuff in the afternoon

 

[Starmill]

I'm planning on joining this week's Denton Flyer at Reddish. I'll keep an eye out for you.

If there's a train you're likely to bump into another member on... that's one of them eh!

I'm booked on the 1308 LDS-MAN purely because I thought it would be the quietest train.

 

[JackClare]

I'd love to do this! Can't wait!

 

[gnolife]

I'm going to be wandering around on a Ranger, my plan for the moment is

10:20 Reddish South - Stalybridge 10:36
10:42 Stalybridge - 'Mossley Station' 10:47
10:55 Mossley - Manchester Victoria 11:18
11:33 Manchester Victoria - Wigan Wallgate 12:13
12:24 Wigan Wallgate - Appley Bridge 12:32
12:45 Appley Bridge - Wigan Wallgate 12:51
12:58 Wigan North Western - Manchester Airport 13:45
13:55 Manchester Airport - Manchester Piccadilly 14:13
14:18 Manchester Piccadilly - Hadfield 14:57
15:00 Hadfield - Guide Bridge 15:27
15:46 Guide Bridge - Romiley 15:58
16:11 Romiley - Manchester Piccadilly 16:32
and then I haven't got anything in mind for after that.

 

[Crossover]

Nice to meet some new people tonight (both from the forum and not)

Certainly had an interesting afternoon in the lead-up with 40 minutes at the shockingly served (in terms of late night services that don't exist!) Orrell station, a pleasant time at Hindley (though made slightly more annoying by all the flower seed in the air) and far longer than intended at Blackrod, after the return train was delayed leaving Blackpool and then regulated to allow a TPE past.

Also had a numpty on a skateboard at Blackrod, practising on the platform, losing the board once to the track (and subsequently retrieving it minutes before the TPE service flew through), getting a blast of horn from the passing 185 for being so close to the platform edge, on the board, with his back to the train, and also nearly losing the board a second time! It also seemed that Davenport was a hangout for local youths, with a couple giving a bit of verbal at our trains in both directions

To finish off, from Piccadilly, a few of us took M5000's 3005 and 3020 from Market St to Shudehill, walked to Victoria, waited for 20 minutes for the train to Rochdale, arrived there and watched 3005 and 3020 coming down the single line into the Metrolink stop

All in all, a great afternoon (and a dry, sunny, one to boot)