Loco Hauled London Liverpool Street to Peterborough

[800001]

I’ve heard and seen on twitter that Network Rail are operating two return London Liverpool Street - Peterborough via Cambridge this Saturday and Sunday 18/19 February, due to ECML closed from St Neots to Kings Cross.

Bit unusual in that they have only gone into RTT last night, and won’t have been shown in any schedules that passengers have booked this weekend.

 

[SargeNpton]

West Coast Railways are the operator so, as a consequence, these will not appear in public-facing journey planners.

Saturday: 0952 & 1522 ex Liverpool Street; 1236 & 1836 ex Peterborough

Sunday: 1030 & 1630 ex Liverpool Street; 1330 & 1925 ex Peterborough

 

[ABB125]

Why have NR decided to do this, for what is presumably a routine(ish) route closure? It hasn't (as far as I'm aware) happened in the past, so why now? Yes, the extra trains for the Queen's funeral set a precedent, but that was very much a once-in-several-generations event that will probably never happen ever again (certainly not on the same scale).

 

[The Planner]

Why have NR decided to do this, for what is presumably a routine(ish) route closure? It hasn't (as far as I'm aware) happened in the past, so why now? Yes, the extra trains for the Queen's funeral set a precedent, but that was very much a once-in-several-generations event that will probably never happen ever again (certainly not on the same scale).

Read the thread on the Preston closures, for whatever reason, a late notice ECML block was put in meaning no route to Scotland.

 

[cambsy]

whats the likely traction On these extra trains? And can one just urn up and travel on these trains or is advance booking etc required?. I am interested in doing these extra services if can be reasonably done.

 

[ABB125]

Read the thread on the Preston closures, for whatever reason, a late notice ECML block was put in meaning no route to Scotland.

Ah ok, that makes more sense. But could they not just run some LNER services with bi-mode units? (Or are they not cleared into Liverpool Street?)?

 

[Future]

I’ve heard it will be 47813+47815 TnT with 47826 as a backup loco with the Riviera Trains blue coaches

 

[The Planner]

Ah ok, that makes more sense. But could they not just run some LNER services with bi-mode units? (Or are they not cleared into Liverpool Street?)?

Nope

 

[800001]

Ah ok, that makes more sense. But could they not just run some LNER services with bi-mode units? (Or are they not cleared into Liverpool Street?)?

Not cleared as yet, late last year paths for LNER to route clear into Liverpool Street but these were cancelled.

 

[zwk500]

Why have NR decided to do this, for what is presumably a routine(ish) route closure? It hasn't (as far as I'm aware) happened in the past, so why now? Yes, the extra trains for the Queen's funeral set a precedent, but that was very much a once-in-several-generations event that will probably never happen ever again (certainly not on the same scale).

NR did it for a block or strike at Leeds a few years ago - can't remember the details but pretty sure it was Leeds festival weekend or some other major event that meant buses weren't going to cut it.

 

[800001]

NR did it for a block or strike at Leeds a few years ago - can't remember the details but pretty sure it was Leeds festival weekend or some other major event that meant buses weren't going to cut it.

It was for Tour de Yorkshire the bike event.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Are these two services available to walk up passengers with tickets to Peterborough, or are they being run on a controlled boarding approach?

 

[800001]

Are these two services available to walk up passengers with tickets to Peterborough, or are they being run on a controlled boarding approach?

No idea, all very sketchy

 

[kingqueen]

Saturday https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...-2359?stp=WVS&show=pax-calls&order=wtt&toc=WR
Sunday

Realtime Trains | Departures from London Liverpool Street all day on 19/02/2023

Train information at London Liverpool Street all day on 19/02/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[87015]

Are these two services available to walk up passengers with tickets to Peterborough, or are they being run on a controlled boarding approach?

Are free - neither West Coast nor NR are permitted to do tickets or revenue for service trains. Will be crank only just like the Queenex ones as no publicity or journey planners.

 

[dk1]

I would like to be proved wrong but imagine these trains will have very poor loadings apart from enthusiasts.

 

[87electric]

I would like to be proved wrong but imagine these trains will have very poor loadings apart from enthusiasts.

But enthusiasts don’t like the “coffins”…

 

[dk1]

But enthusiasts don’t like the “coffins”…

Beggars can’t be choosers

 

[Kite159]

I would like to be proved wrong but imagine these trains will have very poor loadings apart from enthusiasts.

I suspect the Peterborough - London leg might be busier depending if they get advertised at Peterborough.

 

[JonathanH]

I would like to be proved wrong but imagine these trains will have very poor loadings apart from enthusiasts.

I imagine that the southbound trains could attract passengers if they are 'stranded' at Peterborough. They are otherwise too late being advertised to attract many passengers.

I suspect the Peterborough - London leg might be busier depending if they get advertised at Peterborough.

One issue however is that the bus interchange is at St Neots rather than Peterborough.

But enthusiasts don’t like the “coffins”…

Depends how much they are paying and what is on the front.

 

[Kite159]

Presuming if they are free (due to West Coast/NR not being able to do ticket checks), rather than requiring a ticket to Peterborough from London [which is expensive for us on Network Railcard/Gold Card] then I might give it a little spin on the Sunday. I've not had a 47 for a good few years and it looks like it gives the slight novelty of a nonstop run via Cambridge heading northbound

 

[JonathanH]

Presuming if they are free (due to West Coast/NR not being able to do ticket checks), rather than requiring a ticket to Peterborough from London [which is expensive for us on Network Railcard/Gold Card] then I might give it a little spin on the Sunday.

The super off peak day return from London to Peterborough routed Thameslink / Great Northern is only £22.00.

 

[Trainfan344]

So would that ticket cover for these extras? Or are they free?

 

[Banham7]

To be on the safe side, you’d need a “Any Permitted Route” ticket. GTR Only tickets won’t be valid.

 

[JonathanH]

To be on the safe side, you’d need a “Any Permitted Route” ticket. GTR Only tickets won’t be valid.

Why? If it is being put on by Network Rail, and not the train companies, is it there only to replace LNER services?

I note that only Lumo are running buses all the way to Kings Cross from Peterborough, and Hull Trains divert to St Pancras via Leicester. Everyone else is meant to go via Bedford / St Neots.

Or are they free?

No one is going to confirm unambiguously that the trains are 'free'. They are being put on to provide capacity in case of crowding, not to offer people a free day out.

 

[Banham7]

Why? If it is being put on by Network Rail, and not the train companies, is it there only to replace LNER services?

Good Point actually, never thought about it that way. I hope we get some official confirmation soonish.

 

[Trainfan344]

WCR/NR aren't authorised to revenue check but could LNER or GTR put some RPIs onboard?

 

[cambsy]

The off peak fare Liverpool Street to Peterborough is £39.90 which quite expensive, so hope it’s either £22.20 or there some other way to reduce the fare? Ill wait with interest what the fare will be if do these trains, I’m very tempted to do these services.

 

[MrJeeves]

Imagine the chaos if I try to use keyGo for this.

 

[BJames]

Having seen this thread I was somewhat debating using this as an alternative route to get back to Nottingham on Sunday as a more interesting journey on old stock - I know I will have free time on Sunday, and knowing it is nowhere near as fast as just going up the MML - but I didn't quite realise just how slow it would be
(https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U55051/2023-02-19/detailed):

Departing Liv St at 1630 doesn't get you into Peterborough until 1905 - connecting to Grantham and then Nottingham I wouldn't arrive until 2021 - so as much as I would like to try this out I think I'll have to stick with the MML (although I expect the crowds will be joyous..!)

Are free - neither West Coast nor NR are permitted to do tickets or revenue for service trains. Will be crank only just like the Queenex ones as no publicity or journey planners.

No one is going to confirm unambiguously that the trains are 'free'. They are being put on to provide capacity in case of crowding, not to offer people a free day out.

Other than forums such as this does this truly mean that there is nowhere the general public would find out this kind of information? Liverpool Street is obviously not the logical choice for someone wanting to go up the ECML to start their journey and it does seem a waste if these services are not advertised in any way at all on social media, at King's Cross or St Pancras etc - nobody is going to stumble across these services - seems to be a missed opportunity to divert some crowding from STP