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Was an interesting day. Didn't really bother with many photographs as my phone battery was almost empty as I had very little time to recharge after I got home from work this morning.

Everything seemed to run very well and on time. The trains used were both spotlessly clean and tidy. I overheard one comment saying its the best Northern train he's ever come across.

Nice bit of nostalgia travelling E.Port to Hooton and back on a DMU, having not done so on a DMU for almost 20 years. Though I have travelled from Helsby to Ellesmere Port a couple of times over the years when returning from Manchester, last time I travelled in the other direction towards Helsby was well over 20 years ago.

Also to note, the afternoon shuttles today were operated by a 142.

Look forward to seeing the photos

Some pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98475125@N0...221655601/

Leaving Hooton (sorry about the blue tint):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/87093826@N0...519462176/ Photo's here !

(06/07/2013 15:06)First Class Wrote: [ -> ]156423+156425 worked this special today.

Quite well loaded, about 200. Merseyrail staff route conducted the Northern Rail traincrew Ellesmere Port-Hooton.

Catering services provided by Arriva Trains Wales.

Pics to follow.

Quite a few firsts for me today. First time I've been offered tea by an ATW steward on a Northern train on a Merseyrail route. First time I've done E. Port to Helsby since the early 70s, and first time ever over the Halton curve.

Great event - really well organised - funny to arrive back at Lime St with a few passengers carrying suitcases inbound through JLA.

At Liverpool South Parkway did this service use Platform 2 or 4 .

Platform 2 , Arrived into Lime Street on 5! Behind all the works going on!

Don't know LSP too well, but it was the island platform - 2 I presume.

The funny thing was the Catering Trolleys and staff had to get back to Chester via the 1416 to Warrington Bank Quay then the next ATW Chester service The Warrington service was made up of 2 x 142's which created the strange sight of a Catering Trolley on a 142. The irony wasn't lost on one bloke who took a photo of said Trolleys aboard 142 whilst at Lime Street.

Also to note, there were two Trolleys, one for each portion of the double 156.
I had the man on 156 425 for most of the day, as it is my favorite 156!