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Has a VT Voyager ever made it to Manchester in service?
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When the Euston blockade was on last year (I think) CrossCountry had a couple of VTWC's voyagers to strengthen their own services.
It ran with tilt disabled.
Sam
headshot119
Established Member
I bet the passengers couldn't tell the difference! After all, CrossCountry is still ru. By Virgin...
Standard class is very similar, however first would be much more of a giveaway.
Sam
MidnightFlyer
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Yes in terms of diverted Birmingham-Preston-Scotland workings (as seen above). Whether one has ever ended up in the main shed or on a Euston-Manchester I don't know (I certainly doubt the latter!).
Qwerty133
Established Member
AFAIK the Voyagers were in a common pool pre 2007 so they have almost certainly all made it to Manchester in service on multiple occasions.
I'm sure a VT Voyager must have done at least one Manchester Euston service even though there may not have been any actual planned diagrams.
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
Didn't they used to have diagrammed work through platforms 13 / 14 until TPE took over the Scottiosh diagrams?
Can't remember if they reversed in the turnback just below Piccadilly or if they ran through to Airport though...
Can't remember if they reversed in the turnback just below Piccadilly or if they ran through to Airport though...
Correct. Terminated at Piccadilly* and reversed in the Longsight Down Goods Loop
*Pre- Dec 2004 they were cross-Manchester workings. And in Operation Princess, there was one working that started/terminated at Manchester Airport, IIRC.
One of the main issues is that Manchester VTWC drivers don't sign Voyagers.
Ash Bridge
Established Member
I believe a Virgin 221 has worked a Euston-Manchester Piccadilly service possibly as recently as last year, this information from a RUK forum member who was on board the service travelling to (I think) Macclesfield. I'll PM him for confirmation.
jamesst
Member
Out of interest do Liverpool sign Voyagers? As I believe they cover Chester work?
Yes, I believe they do.
Sam
gray1404
Established Member
Liverpool crews operate VT services between Holyhead and Crewe. I am not sure if they take any of the units from there further towards Euston.
Ok, just to clarify everything on this thread. Yes, a VT Voyager has done a Manchester-London service. As you can imagine, they are as rare as rocking horse deposits, the main reason being NOT the drivers, as the top 3 links do sign them for both Holyhead, WM and some Preston work. Its the TM's who don't sign them at Picc. That's why they're such a rarity on non-divert services. The bottom 2 links of Drivers at Manchester don't sign them, and they predominantly do Manchester-London routes with the odd Birmingham in there, so that is why 221's are not allocated Manchester services. Liverpool Drivers & TM's both sign 221's, both Wrexham and WM, and the drivers do Holyheads. The caterers are mostly Pendo only so, again, 221's are kept off Liverpools. (Yes, Caterers do have to sign traction of sorts, mainly the safety related stuff, so it is relevant). As a final point, all North Wales trains have a crew change at Crewe or Chester. The 1810 Wrexham did used to be worked throughout by the driver, but this is no longer the case.
53703
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Haven't Voyagers ran out of Manchester Victoria at some point? I'm sure I've seen VT 4/5 car signs on the platforms there
Yes, CrossCountry with their voyagers right at the start of the franchise.
Those stops boards haven't been used since then.
https://flic.kr/p/4gD1QK
Sam
Used for diversions when Piccadilly was shut, both from the north (Scotland) and the south (from Stockport via Ashton Moss).
Can't personally recall it happening since about 2007, though.
With TPE going through Victoria these days, probably would struggle for capacity anyway for such diversions today.
AJP62
Member
I was coming back from Euston one weekday last year and was surprised to see a 221 in place for our Manchester service. My wife and I used the coach with the lined up table seats which was much more comfortable than our usual 390 coach A seats. Pretty quiet too as I think most passengers thought it was 1st class! It wasn't a heavily loaded service so not too busy but I think the return from Manchester would have been different. I'm pretty sure we were punctual to our Macclesfield stop.
I can dig around to see if I can get the service involved if anyone is interested.
Y Ddraig Coch
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Not all crew, the drivers do change, train managers work out of Holyhead and a do a Euston and return usually as do the shop/catering staff.
323235
Established Member
So which Train Manager would have worked this?
AJP62
Member
Looks like it was the 13.00 service off Euston on Monday 5th June last year. I think it was only a single unit but I can't say for sure!
It was in relation to a point made about the drivers. I know the guards and caterers go through as I have taken them several hundred times through to Euston!
Y Ddraig Coch
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I don't doubt it for a minute. I'm sure you know the ins and outs much better than me. I was just clarifying for those not as familiar of the routine as by "Crew Change" it may have been interpreted as all crew, not just the drivers. Sorry if it sounded like I was trying to tell you how it works! 
I don't doubt it for a minute. I'm sure you know the ins and outs much better than me. I was just clarifying for those not as familiar of the routine as by "Crew Change" it may have been interpreted as all crew, not just the drivers. Sorry if it sounded like I was trying to tell you how it works!
Nah, I should have made it crystal clear I was talking about drivers in that little bit .Even though we are crew I can see why I'd get pulled up for it. Good spot .
EE Andy b1
Established Member
Well it was West Coast covering what was a Cross Country working.
I know because one night the return was a Class 390 dragged by a Class 57 (which i was driver) from Preston, instead of a Class 221 and stopping at Bolton and terminating platform 13 at Manchester Picc and ECS to Longsight.
No, was Virgin XC (except for 4 weeks between the new XC franchise in November 2007 and the Dec 2007 TT change when TPE took over the service, when VTWC operated it temporarily for the transition).
However, both sides of Virgin commonly helped each other out (with common control arrangements) which might explain the appearance of a dragged Pendolino.
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