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    How should Moses Gate, Farnworth, Kearsley and Clifton be served once Wigan to Bolton electrification is complete?

    Copied from the Wigan - Bolton electrification construction updates thread to keep that thread on topic. Presumably possible options include: extend the platforms at those stations to 6-car length; for the Blackburn/Clitheroe DMUs to take over the calls; use 331 formations (with SDO) on the...
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    Possible TPE fleet reductions?

    Split from the May 2023 Changes thread as this is speculative. DfT appears hellbent on reducing rolling stock leasing costs nationally, where opportunities arise to return trains to the ROSCO at the end of an existing contract (e.g GWR 769s). I believe (some of?/all of?) TPE's lease contracts...
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    Greater Manchester has "ambitions" for devolution of some local rail services from 2025

    This was buried in a TfGM press release about bus franchising today. https://news.tfgm.com/press-releases/81a3bdff-e9cc-4c28-b310-fb6a20668b9e/local-accountability-at-centre-of-new-bus-network-as-operators-appointed-to-run-first-franchised-services-outside-of-london-for-almost-40-years The...
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    National Rail cab ride videos

    Over the last few weeks the National Rail YouTube channel has been progressively publishing a series of cab ride videos. These were shot on some of the more scenic British lines and are intended to promote leisure travel. The 12 so far published...
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    Trial of moveable overhead conductor system for freight terminals

    Might this be a game changer for electric freight? No need for a bi-mode loco or shunter. https://www.agg-net.com/news/tarmac-in-overhead-electrification-trial From the photos, the system appears to consist of solid bar conductor mounted on cantilever arms that can swivel around their masts...
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    Could differential speed restrictions be adjusted to enable 185s to use Sprinter speeds?

    Is there any possibility that the differential speed restrictions in the Hope Valley could be adjusted, such that 185s could use what are currently the Sprinter speeds? These are 20mph faster over much of the route, e.g 90 instead of 70.
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    Progress reported on development of infrastructure interventions for the Castlefield corridor - but what might they be?

    Peace seems to have broken out between the DfT and TfN, after the bust-up in July over linkage (or lack of) between near term timetable reductions and longer term infrastructure enhancements. From a paper "Manchester Services and Infrastructure Update" for the Rail North Committee meeting on 15...
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    Arup Study for TfGM on Virus Aerosol Transmission in Metrolink Trams

    Metrolink trams offer customers breath of fresh air in fight against COVID-19 (tfgm.com) I believe 20 air changes per hour is comparable with the ventilation rate in airliner cabins, and much higher than provided by most HVAC systems in buildings and heavy rail carriages.
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    What Northern EMU or bi-mode services should use the new OLE from Manchester Victoria to Stalybridge when complete?

    From the TRU thread: Two 769s made trial runs from Victoria to Stalybridge (on diesel!) a few days ago. But I think EMUs would be a better use of the wires. Any suggestions as to which EMU service(s) might be extended to Stalybridge?
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    All Liverpool - Warrington Bank Quay services cancelled due to driver shortage (17/11/20)

    From the Northern website: https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/updates/travel-alerts/2735-amended-liverpool-warrington-bank-quay-timetable-service-cancellations I guess this is related to the high Covid infection rate in the Liverpool area. Northern services between WBQ and Manchester/Chester...
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    "Long Covid" - long term health issues after infection

    Moderator note - posts #1-#7 originally in this thread: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/latest-imperial-covid-study.207733/ There is growing evidence of serious long term health issues among a substantial proportion of those who have recovered from Covid-19, including those in younger age...
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    Hitachi and Hyperdrive sign agreement on traction battery packs for Battery EMUs

    https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/hitachi-rail-global/pressreleases/hitachi-rail-and-hyperdrive-agreement-opens-way-for-battery-trains-across-britain-3019165 Presumably this means that Hitachi envisages retrofitting battery packs to existing Class 80x units, in place of the underfloor diesel...
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    Supermarkets and Covid-19

    Moderator note: split from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/enforcement-of-the-new-rules-on-social-distancing-unnecessary-journeys-etc.202681/page-34#post-4529415 And supermarkets are benefiting hugely from business rates relief, on top of a big increase in turnover and improvement in...
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    NR Report: How to accommodate forecast growth on the CLC corridor?

    See https://cdn.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/How-to-accommodate-forecast-growth-on-the-CLC-corridor.pdf. "How to accommodate forecast growth on the Cheshire Lines Committee (CLC) corridor? Railway investment choices". (The CLC line links Manchester and Liverpool via Warrington...
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    GM Prospectus for Rail

    TfGM has published "Our Prospectus for Rail - Greater Manchester’s vision to transform rail travel to support future growth and prosperity for all." The 24 page document can be downloaded from https://news.tfgm.com/resources/gm-prospectus-for-rail. The prospectus covers the timeframe up to 2035...
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    Northern Alderley Edge services split at Piccadilly 20-27 July and 29 July - 03 August

    During the week 20-27 July, the Alderley Edge to Wigan North Western/Southport services are being split at Piccadilly. The Alderley Edge services will reverse in the Piccadilly main shed, while the Wigan/Southport services will terminate/start in P13/P14 and reverse in the Mayfield Loop. See...
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    "All aboard our new line to Windermere" - Northern

    I received a promotional email with the above title today from [email protected]. Some extracts (my bolding): The description of a line that opened in 1845 as "shiny new" would seem to take PR-speak poetic licence to new heights of absurdity!
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    Northern Class 185 Diagrams

    From RTT, it appears that, from the May 2016 timetable change, Northern will only be borrowing only 4x185s from FTPE for the Blackpool/Barrow/Windermere services it is taking over, instead of the 5 units currently allocated to these services. The Northern 185 weekday diagrams appear to be as...
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    Mid-Cheshire Line Post-December 2017 Timetable

    From the Northern ITT and associated TSRs, the following can be deduced about the post-Dec 2017 weekday timetable on the Mid-Cheshire: The existing two morning peak Chester to Stockport and the two evening peak Stockport to Chester services will be extended to Manchester, continuing to call...
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    Stockport Tram-Train Strategy Report

    Stockport MBC has published a Stockport Rail Strategy report by Atkins consultants, which includes detailed proposals for tram-train services within and into Stockport Metropolitan Borough. http://democracy.stockport.gov.uk/documents/s57207/Appendix%201Stockport%20Rail%20Strategy.pdf The...

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