Northern Trains Ltd

[iMarkeh]

RE: Northern Trains Ltd

(01/05/2020 22:46)mikestone Wrote:  December 2020 track access application has been published. The Ellesmere Port-Vic-Leeds trains are running from/to Chester instead due to alteration to TfW services, replaced by a branch shuttle with, presumably, the evening train from E.Port running to Liverpool.
;
The aspiration to run a second Middlesbrough-Newcastle service via Stillington seems to have been abandoned, now to run via Sunderland.

That peak time service is so needed. TFW is normally standing room only leaving Chester on peak trips to Manchester. As people get to know about it, it will be a nice money earner for Northern (if they sell their Northern only tickets). Having been on the 05:11 off Holyhead a few times (boarding at Chester), it's always standing room only. I have seen quite a few people get off at Helsby and walk over the bridge because they know they will get a seat.


Edit: Reading through the application, it suggests that TFW is not running a trip into Manchester (Which would be the 05:11 off Holyhead as that is the one which stops Northern running into Chester. Evening peak might be ok but the Northern service can get stuck behind the supposed loco hauled 16:50 off Piccadilly).

It's interesting that they are getting rid of the Ellesmere Port service when the DFT were the plonkers which put it in the franchise agreement. They put it in and now they are taking it out, partly due to TFW alterations but also likely due to no one using it.