150284 is the other unit on the service today. I rode the 158 on the 0949 from Liverpool to Chester (first train from Liverpool) and then the 150 on the 1347 departure from Chester.
Slight hiccup at Lime Street this morning (not TfW's fault) was a power failure which didn't affect train running but knocked out many of the station facilities, including the ticket office, ticket machines and the customer information screens. Was hoping for a special message or something on the departure boards, but they were all blank instead!
The guard was careful to announce before leaving Liverpool that Merseytravel tickets were only valid between Lime Street and South Parkway. A similar announcement was made on the return journey before leaving Chester (I think it was the same guard). Hopefully there won't be too many people caught out.
The customer information screens of the units do not seem to have the new route programmed in yet, on both the 158 and the 150 it just scrolled "Transport for Wales" (and Welsh translation) throughout the journey.
The turnaround time at Chester seems very short, but it seems there is a longer layover at the Lime Street end.
Plenty of interest in the new service - lots of people got on at Frodsham in particular. I also saw a couple laden with luggage travelling from Chester to South Parkway, no doubt grateful to have a direct train.
There didn't seem to be much fanfare around the service that I could see today. I gather there will be a proper launch of the service tomorrow with various dignitaries in attendance. I wouldn't be surprised if the 158 (or a 175) shows up again.
Slight hiccup at Lime Street this morning (not TfW's fault) was a power failure which didn't affect train running but knocked out many of the station facilities, including the ticket office, ticket machines and the customer information screens. Was hoping for a special message or something on the departure boards, but they were all blank instead!
The guard was careful to announce before leaving Liverpool that Merseytravel tickets were only valid between Lime Street and South Parkway. A similar announcement was made on the return journey before leaving Chester (I think it was the same guard). Hopefully there won't be too many people caught out.
The customer information screens of the units do not seem to have the new route programmed in yet, on both the 158 and the 150 it just scrolled "Transport for Wales" (and Welsh translation) throughout the journey.
The turnaround time at Chester seems very short, but it seems there is a longer layover at the Lime Street end.
Plenty of interest in the new service - lots of people got on at Frodsham in particular. I also saw a couple laden with luggage travelling from Chester to South Parkway, no doubt grateful to have a direct train.
There didn't seem to be much fanfare around the service that I could see today. I gather there will be a proper launch of the service tomorrow with various dignitaries in attendance. I wouldn't be surprised if the 158 (or a 175) shows up again.
