Eventual 3rd Rail Boundaries

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Likely the platform would become dedicated terminus platform as there would be no need for diesel services, theres a reversing/stabling siding just beyond Wallgate whose future I would be unsure of as two diesel terminal bays would give them plenty of flexibility for long turnarounds.

What has happened to the Manchester - Wigan - Southport diesel trains?....or are they going the way of Merseyrail 3rd rail electrification also?

 

[WatcherZero]

I was working under the assumption they could manage with two platforms if the third platform became Kirkby only, they could signal the two remaining platforms as bi-directional.

 

[tbtc]

I'd hope Hunts X electrics could one day be extended to Warrington, or maybe even to Manchester

Hmm, what time difference would there be for a Liverpool - Warrington service via the Merseyrail route (e.g. Aigsburth)?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Hmm, what time difference would there be for a Liverpool - Warrington service via the Merseyrail route (e.g. Aigsburth)?

Have there been any meetings attended by Merseyrail, within a National Rail discussion on futrure network changes, in which the matter of their 3rd rail electric service was on the agenda for running on the currently electrified WCML as far as Warrington? If so, what are the views of National Rail on this matter?

 

[WatcherZero]

As far as I know theres been no discussions on dual electrification and there wouldnt be any advantage in adding 3rd rail to the line to Warrington.

 

[Nym]

Due to the methods needed for immunisation, dual electrification is a pain...

Dual voltage stock is much easyer to deal with, especially with a lot of it coming about soon.

 

[tbtc]

Due to the methods needed for immunisation, dual electrification is a pain...

Dual voltage stock is much easyer to deal with, especially with a lot of it coming about soon.

I expect that the new Merseyrail stock will be dual voltage, as all Third Rail EMUs are built that way anyway

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The depot will be closing down shortly. All the VOSA cancellations have been accepted. Skem is a loss maker depot. Another local bus operator, Fairway has recently been forced to close due lack of finance. The buses don't make money around Ormskirk/Skem due to a high proportion of concessionary passes in use and the fact the bus journey times are slow (towards Liverpool/Southport).

Skelmersdale has a population approaching 40,000, with many Liverpool populace conections. I note that you make mention of both the Liverpool and Southport bus services at the end of your thread. The Arriva bus depot to which you refer was the original Ribble bus depot. All the buses that will serve Skelmersdale will now be run from depots in St. Helens, Bootle and Southport. You say that the bus journey times are slow towards Liverpool and Southport. That surely will be the result that all the buses stop at every bus stop on the route if required to do so. This will be reflected in the timetabling of such bus services. You cannot say the number of concessionery pass holders are a very large percentage of the population of the area. This paints a totally false image of both Skelmersdale and Ormskirk.

The matter of Fairway closing down is comparable to the situation that affected Bu Val in the Rochdale area, at virtually the same time. But just to mention "finance" as a blanket statement does not clarify the total number of reasons why the closures of both companies occurred.