Never have 158s been used on the line that I recall. Pre-2007 would fit with that.I hope this isn't a silly question, but how long have 158s been doing Clitheroes? The recent norm seems to have been Sprinter + 153, or Sprinter on its own.
The 195s seem a better fit for the Clitheroe services than the 158s; have they been cleared for this route? I'd have also thought the 158s used for the Clitheroe would be better on some of the quieter York-Blackpool diagrams.
That's useful to know - thanks.That is the correct formation. Of the 4 Clitheroe diagrams - 2 are booked 158+153 the other two are 150+142.
That's useful to know - thanks.
Do you know what is booked for the 1tph Blackburn terminators? TIA
Plenty of 158s booked on Clitheroe services next week, I believe a few have been up there this week but not sure if swapped to a specific diagram for training of Blackburn crew or booked traction.
Last time until recently as far as I know that a 158 went up to Clitheroe on a service from Manchester was when I took one up in about 2007.
Is that still the case? Satellite view shows signs of relatively recent platform lengthening, which confirms my memory.Have been to Clitheroe on 2x156 in the past & it was too long for the platforms at Langho, Whalley & Clitheroe.
Presume 2x158 would have same issue.
Yes it's still the case. They were lengthened maybe 7-8 years ago if I remember rightly.Is that still the case? Satellite view shows signs of relatively recent platform lengthening, which confirms my memory.
Yes it's still the case. They were lengthened maybe 7-8 years ago if I remember rightly.
Fundamentally Northern have got a load of 158s - end doored IC/express layout DMUs - and are using them on local stopping services. They've also got a load of 195s - doors at thirds regional layout DMUs with superb acceleration (ideal for stopping services) and high capacity and standbacks (ideal for high volume city commuter services into Manchester and Liverpool) - and are using them on regional express services. They have also got 170s and use those instead of 195s on stopping services, wasting a load of diesel heating and churning up transmission oil instead of making the thing move.
The mind boggles as to what Northern's management were playing at.
In general the best and newest trains go to the fastest routes. How would you make a business case for new trains on a branch line like this or a suburban route losing money like it's going out of fashion