Recent content by Jack Hay

Northern are very keen to point out that this is not DalesRail, so reference to 'the previous DalesRail service' here or anywhere else is unhelpful. It is not going to be marketed as DalesRail. Some differences; it starts from Rochdale and Manchester, not Blackpool. It runs to Ribblehead, not...

This debate about benefit vs accident risk is much wider than foot crossings on the railway (and indeed I would argue that Network Rail is taking a very narrow view of it, hence my use of the word 'perfectionist', and perfection is generally unachievable, so NR are limiting the use of the...

That's an interesting way to look at it. I shall give that some more thought!

This is a common problem. Network Rail announce a new standard for something, then say their infrastructure doesn't meet it, then say they haven't got the money to meet their new standard and someone else must pay, despite it being NR's decision to launch the new standard! In the meantime...

A few years ago, I enjoyed a run behind a class 67 on an evening peak Piccadilly to N.Wales train. I think it was about 1720 from Piccadilly and it was an unusual but pleasant sight when it called at Oxford Road, where I boarded. Are there still any loco-hauled workings on this axis? Any...

I have done exactly that, changing at Lime St for James St with an e-ticket. I had intended to buy from the TVM at Acton Bridge, my departure station that day, but it was out of service, so I bought an e-ticket on my phone. E-tickets are available to 'Liverpool stations', and staff at James St...

Yes, I agree with you, on both points. I'm sure £2 isn't enough to stop you doing the trip. By the way, for anyone else looking at the Wayfarer map above, I've realised that the station east of Northwich that is outside the shaded area is Plumley, not Lostock Gralam. This doesn't change the...

It can happen. I bought an e- ticket to Liverpool Stations. I alighted at Lime Street and went to the underground platform for a train to James Street. The latter is Merseyrail, of course. Barrier staff let me through.

Sorry, no, you can't. That bus route goes outside the shaded area on the map. I know it's a nuisance, it's a nuisance for me too. The only Warrington bus routes that it's accepted on are those that go to/from Greater Manchester, so not the route to Northwich. This is why the map is drawn the...

If once a hour is a disgrace, I'm afraid there are a lot of disgraceful lines in northern England.

Best suggestion so far, thank you. I wouldn't risk the Oxford Road / Salford Crescent variation either. You'd be dependent on the Castlefield corridor, twice. The long wait at Victoria and a search for breakfast is more appealing than that. I do quite enjoy a ride over the hills on the Bolton...

There isn't. TfW has an arrival from Chester at 0754, at Piccadilly... that's cutting it fine for an 0815 departure from Victoria. The previous one of course is 0654. Northern has an arrival at 0719 at Piccadilly (off the Mid Cheshire) and the next is 0819 - too late. Northern's Chester to...

My understanding from the discussion at the stakeholder meeting where I first heard about this is that Northern will introduce new return fares from the Manchester/Lancashire area to the S&C stations valid only via Clitheroe, at a price considerably less than the current open return via the...

I wouldn't have been moaning either. The crowning glory of the 150s is their superb ride, especially on worn or old track. Modern units never come close to matching this.

I agree. If I get the chance (another stakeholder meeting would be a good opportunity) I shall say this to them directly.