Open Access: Blackpool to Euston

[backontrack]

may I ask if this is a serious suggestion?

Yes, it is. It also releases capacity.

But crucially, it's less likely to be blocked by Virgin.

 

[The Planner]

Virgin can't block it, they can object to the ORR. Blackpool South will always be a local route connecting in and out of Preston or Kirkham, you are not going to get intercity services on it.

 

[backontrack]

TBH, I didn't know it was single.

 

[Agent_c]

TBH, I didn't know it was single.

Its been single track since the through line to Blackpool central was closed along with that station.

I think some of the track bed exists. In some ways its a shame its not connecting to Blackpool north, but that would essentially replicate the tram, albiet with a less scenic view.

 

[Elecman]

It was singled long after Central closed

 

[umontu]

Its been single track since the through line to Blackpool central was closed along with that station.

I think some of the track bed exists. In some ways its a shame its not connecting to Blackpool north, but that would essentially replicate the tram, albiet with a less scenic view.

About 20 years after Central closed but yeh it's single.

There's been talk of that turning it in to an extension of the Blackpool Tramway for years too. Whilst unlikely, for the moment, the fact there's no consistant plans for the future seem to put off anything happening on that branch.

The track could be redoubled but I believe Ansdell & Fairhaven was slewed over to the other platform.

 

[Bletchleyite]

There's been talk of that turning it in to an extension of the Blackpool Tramway for years too.

That sounds like quite a good idea to me, particularly with the new faster-running trams.

 

[CdBrux]

I don't think Blackpool Airport will be a big draw... it closed down last year!

 

[pemma]

I don't think Blackpool Airport will be a big draw... it closed down last year!

Reopened on the 1st April this year with an Isle of Man passenger service: http://www.citywingnews.com/blackpool-is-back-and-its-no-april-fool/ Alongside that there are other uses, like helicopter use and flying schools.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

How feasible is reversing the service at a rebuilt Primrose Hill station rather than blocking through roads at Queens Park ?
Is there, or can there be a connection to the main near the end of tunnel or would it have to switch to the DC lines at Willesden ?
It should be able to slot in between the H & W and Euston - Watford Services and it would have the platforms at Primrose Hill to itself.

 

[The Planner]

It wouldn't have blocked the lines for too long (he says...) as it would dump people out and go into the up and down loop. If Alliance wanted to stump up the cash to do something to Primrose Hill I've no doubt it could be looked at.

 

[swt_passenger]

It wouldn't have blocked the lines for too long (he says...) as it would dump people out and go into the up and down loop. If Alliance wanted to stump up the cash to do something to Primrose Hill I've no doubt it could be looked at.

Just for emphasis, this was actually explained in the track access details posted earlier in the thread:

In the meantime, Network Rail and Grand Central have agreed a plan to terminate services at Queen’s Park (London). Trains will then run ECS into the Kilburn Up and Down Goods Loop immediately east of the station. Turn-round time in the loop is expected to be between 15 and 40 minutes depending on the outcome of detailed timetable development work. This method of operation has been validated by Network Rail’s LNW Route Team. The only scheduled use of the loop in the current timetable is one train on a Saturday morning.
Northbound services will depart from the Down platform and cross to the Down Fast at the earliest opportunity.

If that's all correct then Primrose Hill seems a bit of an irrelevance.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

Just for emphasis, this was actually explained in the track access details posted earlier in the thread:



If that's all correct then Primrose Hill seems a bit of an irrelevance.

It's not the reversing or holding in a loop more the tip out and boarding times at the Park. This is a long distance service with fewer doors, people with luggage etc having it sit on any of the through roads at the Park for more than 5 minutes might cause some blocking back.

 

[swt_passenger]

It's not the reversing or holding in a loop more the tip out and boarding times at the Park. This is a long distance service with fewer doors, people with luggage etc having it sit on any of the through roads at the Park for more than 5 minutes might cause some blocking back.

How would onward connections from Primrose Hill work though?

 

[Mutant Lemming]

How would onward connections from Primrose Hill work though?

Chalk Farm tube station is less of a trek from Primrose Hill than from the mainline platforms to the tube station at Euston. I don't think we are talking a vast number of people so Chalk farm should be able to handle the numbers. There are also numerous bus services stop close by.

It may need to be re-opened anyway if Euston is to be demolished for HS2.

 

[The Planner]

No it doesn't, and considering Euston starts getting battered about in 2017 you wouldn't have time to sort it.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It may need to be re-opened anyway if Euston is to be demolished for HS2.

Euston isn't going to be demolished, just extended a bit.

 

[backontrack]

Euston isn't going to be demolished, just extended a bit.

Oh.

 

[AndyW33]

Surely it would make more sense to use bi-mode units, DMUs or locos and run into Blackpool South? There's more demand in Lytham, St Annes, Ansdell etc. that is untapped. This would also connect with Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Blackpool Airport (the latter at Squires Gate).

A bit late to offer services to Blackpool Airport as it closed to commercial flights last year.

 

[Holly]

A bit late to offer services to Blackpool Airport as it closed to commercial flights last year.

Now re-opened.

 

[AndyW33]

Now re-opened.

Really? So what planes other than private jets and light aircraft actually use it then? Where can you fly to/from?

 

[PR1Berske]

Really? So what planes other than private jets and light aircraft actually use it then? Where can you fly to/from?

Currently Belfast, and the Isle of Man.

 

[Philip]

As an open access service would it not be better to run via Chorley, Bolton and Oxford Road and give these stations a long awaited direct link to London? Then non-stop to Crewe. You could also stop some trains at Salford Crescent and give MediaCityUK a service that's just about within walking distance.

 

[Stats]

It's not the reversing or holding in a loop more the tip out and boarding times at the Park. This is a long distance service with fewer doors, people with luggage etc having it sit on any of the through roads at the Park for more than 5 minutes might cause some blocking back.

Planned station dwell time is 4 minutes - yes, really.

 

[backontrack]

Really? So what planes other than private jets and light aircraft actually use it then? Where can you fly to/from?

The Isle of Man.

 

[SeanG]

The Isle of Man.

Then get the steam railway to continue your journey?

Blackpool Airport flights don't use the main airport IIRC. I think its through a portacabin to sort security or something like that

 

[AndyW33]

The Isle of Man.

Thanks. It's good to see this air link restored, I know it has been missed by Fylde area residents. Hopefully more will follow and Blackpool airport will return to full life.
I don't think that in the meantime two flights a day on a 19 seater aircraft actually improves the viability of sending proposed London-Blackpool trains via Lytham and St Annes, especially since Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, and of course London itself also have non-stop flights to the Isle of Man.

 

[Whistler40145]

AFAIK the Isle of Man flights are currently operating from Liverpool John Lennon Airport with a coach transferring passengers from Blackpool, this is due to the Isle of Man authorities not accepting Blackpool passengers luggage as the airport had all its scanning equipment removed and sold off when the airport closed down.

 

[AngelicUpstart]

No, the flights operate directly from Blackpool. Luggage is scanned as normal. There was an issue regarding the paperwork for Blackpool that meant for a whole day, the flights were diverted to Liverpool and then for a couple of weeks you not being able to use the airport building at Ronaldsway, but that was sorted over a month ago.

 

[Whistler40145]

Blimey, wasn't aware that the situation had been resolved, not seen anything in the newspapers!