June 2024 reopening of the line between Clitheroe and Hellifield for passenger trains

[Adam0984]

For a bit of perspective, how many drivers has Blackburn got? If its 12 out of 300 that's awful ( I know they haven't got anywhere near that amount) if it's 12 out of 15 that's excellent considering it takes a couple of days to gey each driver passed out on the route

 

[sandpiper]

For a bit of perspective, how many drivers has Blackburn got? If its 12 out of 300 that's awful ( I know they haven't got anywhere near that amount) if it's 12 out of 15 that's excellent considering it takes a couple of days to gey each driver passed out on the route

I am told its 60. Apparently, (or so I was told), that a sub-committee of ASLEF at company level are preventing the Blackburn depot from training more drivers as they are furious that the work has been transferred away from Blackpool, despite the fact that Blackpool cannot cover the work they have now. Basically they have thrown their toys out of the pram and are doing their best to make things challenging for Northern at Blackburn. Twelve is not a lot when you consider there is ongoing industrial action, (an overtime ban), days off, holidays, sickness etc. It is astonishing behaviour that the union is not pushing for more services - surely more trains - more members? (But perhaps ones that have a more grown-up attitude).

 

[thealexweb]

Why are Blackpool Northern staff (station and depot) in general just a constant source of problems? They need reminding things have changed over the last decade. There are more geographically useful depots now, Spring Branch and Blackburn. Could more work be transferred away from Blackpool?

 

[175001]

A Ribblehead specific link was created with a pool of 12 drivers who sign it initially.

The link has a booked driver on the Saturday, a spare driver who'll sign Ribblehead on a Saturday for contingency, and a Road Review Day to keep up competence on the route.

Its a very robust link that'll see the service protected from any P-Coding, in theory.

 

[Jack Hay]

A Ribblehead specific link was created with a pool of 12 drivers who sign it initially.

The link has a booked driver on the Saturday, a spare driver who'll sign Ribblehead on a Saturday for contingency, and a Road Review Day to keep up competence on the route.

Its a very robust link that'll see the service protected from any P-Coding, in theory.

That sounds well organised and gives me confidence that the trains will run. I imagine the drivers in this link volunteered for it, too.

 

[30907]

A Ribblehead specific link was created with a pool of 12 drivers who sign it initially.

The link has a booked driver on the Saturday, a spare driver who'll sign Ribblehead on a Saturday for contingency, and a Road Review Day to keep up competence on the route.

Thanks for the factual post.

 

[70014IronDuke]

Anyone on board to report on yesterday's services?

Two different 2-car 156s. All four trains pretty much on time.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Anyone on board to report on yesterday's services?

Two different 2-car 156s. All four trains pretty much on time.

It's stated online that around 30 people got off the morning arrival at Ribblehead and that it was pretty full up to Hellifield.

 

[Stuwhu]

Anyone on board to report on yesterday's services?

Two different 2-car 156s. All four trains pretty much on time.

I was on the morning train from Bolton to Horton-in-Ribblesdale and the evening back from Ribblehead as part of a day out in Appleby and Ribblehead. Outbound was reasonably busy, but plenty of space (eg no-one had to share tables/or sit next to a stranger) The return had about 10 of us boarding at Ribblehead and another 10-20 at Horton and Settle. Seemed to be 1 or 2 people counting the passengers on both trains, and on the return a gentleman giving out 15 year old editions of the Ribble Valley Railway newsletter for some reason..
My personal opinion is timing wise, the return train is an hour or two too late, 8 hours is a long time to spend in Ribblehead (great as the Station Inn is), I think either a 2nd train around 4pm or moving the 6pm train a bit earlier.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It's mostly aimed at walkers who will want a full day.

 

[Stuwhu]

It's mostly aimed at walkers who will want a full day.

I know that, but yesterday the weather was terrible at Ribblehead, so I can imagine some walkers might have preferred to go home and dry off a bit earlier than 6pm

 

[Neptune]

I know that, but yesterday the weather was terrible at Ribblehead, so I can imagine some walkers might have preferred to go home and dry off a bit earlier than 6pm

We can’t base a timetable around what the weather might be like.

 

[Stuwhu]

We can’t base a timetable around what the weather might be like.

No way.. thats shocking news.

 

[30907]

No way.. thats shocking news.

Seriously, in the winter the train could reasonably run a couple of hours earlier.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Seriously, in the winter the train could reasonably run a couple of hours earlier.

I disagree. Walkers want a full day walking then an hour or two in the pub. In winter you lose light around 4pm so with a train around 6 it's timed pretty much spot on.

It could perhaps do with a third round trip around midday for a half day's trip, though.

 

[47434]

I am told its 60. Apparently, (or so I was told), that a sub-committee of ASLEF at company level are preventing the Blackburn depot from training more drivers as they are furious that the work has been transferred away from Blackpool, despite the fact that Blackpool cannot cover the work they have now. Basically they have thrown their toys out of the pram and are doing their best to make things challenging for Northern at Blackburn. Twelve is not a lot when you consider there is ongoing industrial action, (an overtime ban), days off, holidays, sickness etc. It is astonishing behaviour that the union is not pushing for more services - surely more trains - more members? (But perhaps ones that have a more grown-up attitude).

Staggering 1970's approach. Bottom line is, this service is 'work' and should be welcomed by the trade unions. Petty infighting over 'whose' work it is will only driver stakeholders to not push expansion of services.

 

[70014IronDuke]

I was on the morning train from Bolton to Horton-in-Ribblesdale and the evening back from Ribblehead as part of a day out in Appleby and Ribblehead Outbound was reasonably busy, but plenty of space (eg no-one had to share tables/or sit next to a stranger) The return had about 10 of us boarding at Ribblehead and another 10-20 at Horton and Settle. Seemed to be 1 or 2 people counting the passengers on both trains, and a gentleman giving out 15 year old editions of the Ribble Valley Railway newsletter for some reason..
My personal opinion is timing wise, the return train is an hour or two too late, 8 hours is a long time to spend in Ribblehead (great as the Station Inn is), I think either a 2nd train around 4pm or moving the 6pm train a bit earlier.

Thank you. I suppose, given the inclement weather, that is actually quite a reasonable loading.

 

[Jack Hay]

Thank you. I suppose, given the inclement weather, that is actually quite a reasonable loading.

I thought so too, and I understand from a contact in Northern that they check the weather forecast a day or two beforehand to decide whether to send two coaches or four on these services.

 

[30907]

I thought so too, and I understand from a contact in Northern that they check the weather forecast a day or two beforehand to decide whether to send two coaches or four on these services.

Certainly happens with the Leeds services (though the 0920 always seems to stay as a 3).

 

[InkyScrolls]

Certainly happens with the Leeds services (though the 0920 always seems to stay as a 3).

Not true - they're always booked the same number of carriages regardless of the weather. This can change for other reasons of course.

 

[70014IronDuke]

S&C main services in a spot of bother today, what with crewing issues and a trespass incident this morning. IM53 79' down at Appleby. RTT has the Rochdale service as a 150.

 

[30907]

Not true - they're always booked the same number of carriages regardless of the weather.

Thanks - that has changed over the years, then, either with the major timetable change a few years back or with the post Covid surge in leisure traffic.

 

[Neptune]

Any change in formation would be STP’d in the units each week which are planned weeks in advance. Ad hoc on the day weather forecast plays no role in this whatsoever and hasn’t in the last 36 years I’ve been on the railway.

There is less 4 car working off season now to save fuel/unit miles as they were carrying fresh air about, nominally Dec tt change through to Easter (although I’m sure certain posters will complain about this and claim they’re all f&s all year round when they’re certainly not and never have been).

 

[Jamesrob637]

Probably emptier today with a small football team playing now?

 

[wilbers]

I've just been through Carlisle today (specifically to Gateshead), and they have a poster up on a stand in that area (near the seats towards platforms 5 & 6) of the station advertising the new service. Presumably the same poster that will be at all the stations the train actually calls at.

 

[Francis]

Thanks for correcting me. The Wikipedia page certainly oozes positivity about the place, eg



Incidentally, for the record, personally I have fond memories of some of the "typical" E Lancs towns from July '68 in the last 10 days of steam - it is just that yes, I can't see many folks visiting those places as tourists. But Clitheroe looks more like Settle than Burnley.

Clitheroe has an amazing wine shop and warehouse. With the biggest collection of wines (and spirits) I have ever seen. I’m not a oenophile but I was impressed.

 

[D6130]

Clitheroe has an amazing wine shop and warehouse. With the biggest collection of wines (and spirits) I have ever seen. I’m not a oenophile but I was impressed.

Yes....Byrne Brothers. They also have a good range of UK and Continental bottled beers.

 

[30907]

Yes....Byrne Brothers. They also have a good range of UK and Continental bottled beers.

And there's Cowman's Sausage Shop. I feel another day trip calling....

 

[Baxenden Bank]

And there's Cowman's Sausage Shop. I feel another day trip calling....

Around the corner, heading down the hill, is a splendid ice cream shop.

 

[ChrisC]

Clitheroe is a nice town, an interesting place to visit and wander around. Good views from the castle grounds too. I can also recommend nearby Whalley, the next station down the line. Very interesting historic abbey ruins and grounds there. Both these places more like Settle than places in the Burnley and Blackburn areas.