I was on the 1107 Victoria-Chester and there were about 30 on board - including some who didn't alight at Vic which is good to see.
Several off and on at Warrington BQ - some better connections there than with TfW.
This was a 3-car consist, 153+158, so no speeding over 75.
Other trains on the circuit I saw were 2-car 158s, with a similar load.
Close to time, on a very slack schedule.
Several Northern crew members on board, learning the route.
Very odd seeing stops like New Pudsey and Mytholmroyd on the departure board at Chester.
The Victoria departure board had everything "On Time", so it seems like a good day all round, unlike a year ago.
TfW trains seemed as busy as ever (2-car 175s mainly, there were 3x3-car 175s parked up at Chester depot, never a good sign).
The worst thing I saw all day was the TPE Scarborough service with its PIS stuck on "preinst.aborted" throughout the train.
Which reminds me, there was no electronic PIS on either the Victoria-Chester train or Chester-Liverpool later. Manual announcements only.
I think you spoke too soon. 16:07 Victoria to Chester apparently left Rochdale on time and still hasn’t arrived at Victoria. The 16:19 to Leeds hasn’t departed yet either.