Useful as it avoids Manchester Picadilly.
But nothing beats waiting around Stockport on a Friday morning for that special service to arrive.
Agreed, it is that bit more special when you're awaiting the PSUL train to show up, although it can be a bit stressful getting to them sometimes! The tension builds once you're on board as you head to the bit you're after, and as you near it you cross the fingers and toes. The relief when you finally get it? Priceless.
Yes I refer to my going after that PSUL bit at Chislehurst in August 2014! The stressful bit was more in reference to leaving Liverpool to do the Ellesmere Port to Helsby limited line, to find a derailment was causing issues. I believe this was all detailed well in the 2011 ALR trip report, though I'd need to check that.
I hope to have all those joys again on a summer Saturday this year with that infernal curve near Runcorn. All before pelting it back down to Birmingham to get that ridiculously irritating shack done at Bordesley! So is the plan at least...
I've done Stockport to Stalybridge with 56311 and 56312 though, which I'd say was more special than doing the Fridays Only train
And most of the rest of the line with 60059 too!
