When the Euston blockade was on last year (I think) CrossCountry had a couple of VTWC's voyagers to strengthen their own services.Simple question really, has a VT (West Coast) Voyager ever made it to Manchester Piccadilly in public fare paying service?
Simple question really, has a VT (West Coast) Voyager ever made it to Manchester Piccadilly in public fare paying service?
When the Euston blockade was on last year (I think) CrossCountry had a couple of VTWC's voyagers to strengthen their own services.
It ran with tilt disabled.
Sam
Standard class is very similar, however first would be much more of a giveaway.I bet the passengers couldn't tell the difference! After all, CrossCountry is still ru. By Virgin...
Whether one has ever ended up in the main shed or on a Euston-Manchester I don't know (I certainly doubt the latter!).
Didn't they used to have diagrammed work through platforms 13 / 14 until TPE took over the Scottiosh diagrams?
Can't remember if they reversed in the turnback just below Piccadilly or if they ran through to Airport though...
I'm sure a VT Voyager must have done at least one Manchester Euston service even though there may not have been any actual planned diagrams.
I believe a Virgin 221 has worked a Euston-Manchester Piccadilly service possibly as recently as last year, this information from a RUK forum member who was on board the service travelling to (I think) Macclesfield. I'll PM him for confirmation.
Yes, I believe they do.Out of interest do Liverpool sign Voyagers? As I believe they cover Chester work?
Yes, CrossCountry with their voyagers right at the start of the franchise.Haven't Voyagers ran out of Manchester Victoria at some point? I'm sure I've seen VT 4/5 car signs on the platforms there
Yes, CrossCountry with their voyagers right at the start of the franchise.
Those stops boards haven't been used since then.
https://flic.kr/p/4gD1QK
Sam
XC don't need it anymore as they don't go north of Piccadilly. We don't sign Victoria on VT. The Denton diversion has long been scratched off our cards .
I believe a Virgin 221 has worked a Euston-Manchester Piccadilly service possibly as recently as last year, this information from a RUK forum member who was on board the service travelling to (I think) Macclesfield. I'll PM him for confirmation.
Ok, just to clarify everything on this thread. Yes, a VT Voyager has done a Manchester-London service. As you can imagine, they are as rare as rocking horse deposits, the main reason being NOT the drivers, as the top 3 links do sign them for both Holyhead, WM and some Preston work. Its the TM's who don't sign them at Picc. That's why they're such a rarity on non-divert services. The bottom 2 links of Drivers at Manchester don't sign them, and they predominantly do Manchester-London routes with the odd Birmingham in there, so that is why 221's are not allocated Manchester services. Liverpool Drivers & TM's both sign 221's, both Wrexham and WM, and the drivers do Holyheads. The caterers are mostly Pendo only so, again, 221's are kept off Liverpools. (Yes, Caterers do have to sign traction of sorts, mainly the safety related stuff, so it is relevant). As a final point, all North Wales trains have a crew change at Crewe or Chester. The 1810 Wrexham did used to be worked throughout by the driver, but this is no longer the case.
I was coming back from Euston one weekday last year and was surprised to see a 221 in place for our Manchester service. My wife and I used the coach with the lined up table seats which was much more comfortable than our usual 390 coach A seats. Pretty quiet too as I think most passengers thought it was 1st class! It wasn't a heavily loaded service so not too busy but I think the return from Manchester would have been different. I'm pretty sure we were punctual to our Macclesfield stop.
I can dig around to see if I can get the service involved if anyone is interested.
I was coming back from Euston one weekday last year and was surprised to see a 221 in place for our Manchester service. My wife and I used the coach with the lined up table seats which was much more comfortable than our usual 390 coach A seats. Pretty quiet too as I think most passengers thought it was 1st class! It wasn't a heavily loaded service so not too busy but I think the return from Manchester would have been different. I'm pretty sure we were punctual to our Macclesfield stop.
I can dig around to see if I can get the service involved if anyone is interested.
Not all crew, the drivers do change, train managers work out of Holyhead and a do a Euston and return usually as do the shop/catering staff.
I don't doubt it for a minute. I'm sure you know the ins and outs much better than me. I was just clarifying for those not as familiar of the routine as by "Crew Change" it may have been interpreted as all crew, not just the drivers. Sorry if it sounded like I was trying to tell you how it works!
Wasn't there a Virgin West Coast service that went via Bolton to Scotland around 2007/8?
Did this call at Mann Pic through platforms then onto Bolton/Preston via Windsor Link and Chorley?
Well it was West Coast covering what was a Cross Country working.
I know because one night the return was a Class 390 dragged by a Class 57 (which i was driver) from Preston, instead of a Class 221 and stopping at Bolton and terminating platform 13 at Manchester Picc and ECS to Longsight.