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The blockade is from Saturday 16th March to Sunday 24th March (inclusive). There is some useful information about diversions and replacement buses here: https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/engineering/hopevalley2024#:~:text=For%20nine%20days%20between%20Saturday,longer%20distance%20trains%20to%20use.
Air fares between Newcastle and Heathrow reach £650 during ECML engineering work. An article by Simon Calder in the Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/rail-engineering-work-east-coast-main-line-lner-b2498449.html
Information on the Northern website as to when the tokens will appear in newspapers: Tokens will be available to collect from participating papers from the 12th February - 2nd March 2024.
Also the end date of the offer has been corrected to Friday 22nd March.
Details of the offer are now on the Northern website:
https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/tickets/newspaper-offer/reach-plc
Presumably they mean Friday 22nd March as the last day of the offer?
The Northern £10 day ticket offer in connection with local newspapers appears to be coming back. This page about the offer has appeared on the Northern website: https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/tickets/newspaper-offer
It is not yet clear when the tokens will appear in particular papers.
I've heard that the slow running out of Euston in the morning and the diversion via Northampton was because the 47 on the back was limited to 75mph (due to the type of brake blocks it was fitted with?).
Some InterCity trains were diverted via the Manchester area (Denton-Ashton Moss). The accident was often called "whisky and soda" because the Runcorn train was conveying soda ash and the Freightliner train included containers of Scottish whisky.
An article from the Northwich and Winsford Guardian about progress with the reopening of Beeston Castle & Tarporley (between Crewe and Chester). Said to be possibly going ahead "soon'"...
Tickets between any two stations within the TfGM area are shown as "Route Metrolink CTLZ" and can be used on the tram between Piccadilly and Victoria. Also Wayfarer is valid on the whole of Metrolink and the GM Bus and Train Daysaver can be used in Zone 1 of Metrolink.