03:38 NT Liverpool to Manchester Return Working Abolished?

I notice the 03.38 Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Airport calling at Manchester Piccadilly only I see is still running, but has the return working from Manchester Airport back to Liverpool Lime Street, calling at Manchester Piccadilly only been abolished on a permanent basis?

From what I can see, Northern have replaced this with a return working going Manchester Airport at 05:06 to Liverpool Lime Street via Manchester Piccadilly (05:22) and Newton Le Willows but calling at all stations. It has now become a slow service on the return and doesn't arrive in Liverpool until 06:26.


The fast return working used to be a very convenient option following the arrival of a late/early morning flight or indeed a night out in Manchester. It used to be possible to get back to Liverpool for the first Merseyrail departures. I recall there was also an all stations stopper from Manchester Victoria via Newton le Willows to Liverpool Lime Street shortly after 5am. It is a shame Northern have taken away the express return working and it appears they are letting it work the stopper now and reducing the overall service.

It would be good if they'd return this fast train.

It been gone since the May 18 TT change. The 0338 is a 195, which come back at 0551 with another 195 thats come from Newton Heath. The 0506 is a 319.

Thanks, such a shame this train has gone.

Used it years ago once and it wasn't exactly full and standing! That said, now clubs tend to open much later there might be more of a market for it now.

The only reason the 'fast' is first stop Manchester Piccadilly is to allow it to go via either route for overnight engineering works (DMU substitution if via Warrington Central). Other wise why wouldn't you put other stops in, on a train that is very lightly used? I would guess the 05:06 therefore departs after potential engineering possesions would be complete and thus can be timetabled to call at all of the normal calling points and serve a much wider population.