The 1729 Manchester Airport - Barrow-in-Furness & Blackpool North is still a 6-car 185 and still has loads of people standing up. Similar story with most of the others which are now 4-car 156 (some of which were previously 6-car 185). There's a very small net increase in capacity I find.
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Changes to Hazel Grove/Chinley from May
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Greybeard33
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I think the 0757 Airport to Blackpool is the only one that went from a 3-car 185 to a 4-car 156 in May. The 0940 from Blackpool and 1129 from the Airport were 6-car 185 from/to Preston but are now a 4-car 156, so that is a decrease in capacity between Preston and the Airport.
Thomas6187 meant 0856 Piccadilly arrival (ex-Stoke).
According to RTT, from 11/7 the above unit now goes back to Longsight (instead of stabling on Picc platform 12) as the lead unit of 5H11, 0900 ECS ex-Picc. The rear unit is off the 0715 ex-Macc (arr Picc 0756) - this unit previously alone formed 5H11.
There is now a second afternoon ECS working from Longsight to Picc to provide the unit for the 1723 Picc-Hazel Grove - 5H02 at 1534. The first, as previously, forms 1631 Picc-Picc via Glossop & Hadfield.
Why aren't the two units sent from Longsight combined? I imagine it's because it's desired to send them to Picc in good time, but having a double 323 stabled would effectively put a platform out of use, but one 323 in each of two platforms can be tolerated.
On Wednesday 27/7 the unit off 5H02 then apparently formed the 1646 Picc-Crewe, and the unit ex-Crewe arr 1640 dropped back to do the 1723 Hazel Grove. The ex-Crewe wasn't late in, I imagine it must have needed attention of some sort.
The reasoning why they are sent as two units, I believe is what you have just explained. Sending them as one double unit would cause problems with platform allocation as trains would not be able to stable in front of them during peak hours (as happens now). Leading to further problems for the signaler and possibly cause delay.
Sam
edwin_m
Veteran Member
Sending an ECS for a Glossop/Hadfield from Longsight is quite easy as this will use a low-numbered platform so doesn't conflict with any of the routes via Slade Lane. A Macclesfield would normally depart from a mid-numbered platform so unless a conflicting move is possible for one train or other at the time of departure it is best not to try to combine the ECS moves.
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