Class 156 on Barrow to Manchester Airport line

[trover]

This line is timed as 100mph and is usually operated with 195, however it’s sometimes operated with 156 with some delays (which I don’t care if I’m on board, kinda cool to ride on a 156 on the WCML isn’t it). Is there any particular reason for this to happen? Was that a standard arrangement before 195 arrive?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Before Northern 195s, it was Northern 156s with the occasional 142/158 or hired in 185.

Before April 2016 it was TransPennine Express 185s, or hired in 156s.

 

[JonathanH]

Is there any particular reason for this to happen?

Given generally only 156s and 195s operate out of Barrow, a lack of available 195s means that 156s are the most likely substitution.

158s could also be used but there are fewer of those 'in the area' to form a substitution.

 

[Bletchleyite]

This line is timed as 100mph and is usually operated with 195, however it’s sometimes operated with 156 with some delays (which I don’t care if I’m on board, kinda cool to ride on a 156 on the WCML isn’t it). Is there any particular reason for this to happen? Was that a standard arrangement before 195 arrive?

In the 1990s, the line was operated by 156s with "green stripe" Regional Railways livery under the "NorthWest Express" banner, if that's any help.

I've attached a very old digital photo I have showing one at Preston in about 1994-1995 ish, it's actually a southbound Windermere but Manchester Airport-Barrow, Windermere and Blackpool North were all part of this circuit.

 

[Zooty]

After the 1990s 156 era it was 175s with FNW, then 185s after TPE took over the route, then hired in 185s (briefly) and back to 156 (and 158 I think) when it went to Northern, and now 195.

142s were never diagrammed although they may have occasionally turned up - never saw one though. 153s were also used to strengthen peak services towards the end of the first 156 era after the joint 156/158 service with XC ceased.

 

[Bletchleyite]

142s were very commonly used round the Cumbrian Coast but it was very rare for them to go to Manchester from Barrow, I don't think I ever saw it. They did make it to Preston sometimes though.

 

[Zooty]

There was at least one Preston-Carlisle and return to Lancaster that was booked a 142 which then dropped on to the Morecambes for the evening peak. Which reminds me there was a summer Sunday 156+150/2 combo from the airport which split at Lancaster with the 156 for Barrow and the 150/2 for Morecambe.

 

[MP393]

Given generally only 156s and 195s operate out of Barrow, a lack of available 195s means that 156s are the most likely substitution.

158s could also be used but there are fewer of those 'in the area' to form a substitution.

Wigan do, but not sure if Barrow will still sign 158s after they’ve been out of area for so long?

 

[Zooty]

Wigan do, but not sure if Barrow will still sign 158s after they’ve been out of area for so long?

I'm fairly sure Barrow operate the Lancaster-Morecambe section of one of the Leeds services and also the Sunday Leeds-Heysham. That may be a different crew link to those that operate the airport services though.

 

[trover]

Thank you all for the contribution

Before Northern 195s, it was Northern 156s with the occasional 142/158 or hired in 185.

Before April 2016 it was TransPennine Express 185s, or hired in 156s.

Given generally only 156s and 195s operate out of Barrow, a lack of available 195s means that 156s are the most likely substitution.

158s could also be used but there are fewer of those 'in the area' to form a substitution.

Would be glad to see one 158 running on the line, rather than the new but bumpy civity train

In the 1990s, the line was operated by 156s with "green stripe" Regional Railways livery under the "NorthWest Express" banner, if that's any help.

I've attached a very old digital photo I have showing one at Preston in about 1994-1995 ish, it's actually a southbound Windermere but Manchester Airport-Barrow, Windermere and Blackpool North were all part of this circuit.

A valuable piece of history! Would be great to see them in retro livery before they retire

There was at least one Preston-Carlisle and return to Lancaster that was booked a 142 which then dropped on to the Morecambes for the evening peak. Which reminds me there was a summer Sunday 156+150/2 combo from the airport which split at Lancaster with the 156 for Barrow and the 150/2 for Morecambe.

Interesting to hear trains split at Lancaster, this gives opportunity for more frequent services for the two ends of the line

 

[randyrippley]

The Barrow route was one of the first to use the 156 when they were first introduced.
A group of services Barrow/Blackpool/Liverpool-Piccadilly-Sheffield-Nottingham-Ely-Ipswich/Harwich
Running south from Sheffield on the MML (with a 150 on the back) at full speed was always fun - and seemed fast



Last week, Tuesday had a 158 on the Morecambe shuttle, Weds a 156

 

[Pinus contorta]

142s were very commonly used round the Cumbrian Coast but it was very rare for them to go to Manchester from Barrow, I don't think I ever saw it. They did make it to Preston sometimes though.

When the timetable meltdown happened in 2018 the 142's were used on the Barrow to Airport service. Likewise I've seen single 153's on the airport run in the First North Western days.

 

[railfan100]

The Barrow route was one of the first to use the 156 when they were first introduced.
A group of services Barrow/Blackpool/Liverpool-Piccadilly-Sheffield-Nottingham-Ely-Ipswich/Harwich
Running south from Sheffield on the MML (with a 150 on the back) at full speed was always fun - and seemed fast



Last week, Tuesday had a 158 on the Morecambe shuttle, Weds a 156

Very short lived but I believe the two Barrow services may have been the longest diagramed Class 156 route back in the day? Have a timetable from 1989 and direct services are:

Barrow depart 7.04 arrive in Cambridge 13.22. It was the same Class 156 unit that arrived from Colchester the previous day and did overnight at Barrow. That service was Colchester depart 15.30 arrive in Barrow 22.54!!

Sunday differed in that both each way services involved Cambridge.

 

[scrapy]

Liverpool crews do work some Barrow -Airports between Preston and the airport, Piccadilly crews also operate parts between Preston (drivers) Oxford Rd(guards) and the airport, Blackpool ex TPE crews also work the route throughout and none of these sign 158s but all sign 156s.