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  1. Agent_Squash

    Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire

    Some big swaps over the weekend in the Lakes. New Enviro 400 MMCs 11571-79 were introduced on the 555 over the weekend. They’re quite nice new buses with tables and a slightly brighter colour scheme inside. The former Kendal E400 MMC allocation has moved to Barrow (10552-58) and Morecambe...
  2. Agent_Squash

    New stations between Preston-Lancaster?

    It may just be the new regular commute on the Stagecoach buses to the university, but over the last few weeks I can't help but think the railway is missing a good revenue opportunities with the lack of stops on the WCML between Preston and Lancaster. Building a 'Lancaster University Parkway' in...
  3. Agent_Squash

    Northern 195 PIS

    On a 195 now, which seems to have all the announcements quite muffled, apart from Wigan North Western. Also noticed this on my previous journey down. Is there any particular reason for this change - seems a downgrade from the previously crystal clear announcements? 1663759979 Also just had it...
  4. Agent_Squash

    Has on train entertainment had its day?

    I used to remember when travelling Virgin the constant announcements to download BEAM - but also row upon row of people actually using it (mostly with headphones on!) On my two recent journeys with Avanti, it seems like on train entertainment has largely fallen out of favour - a definite...
  5. Agent_Squash

    Oxenholme station last night (16/08/22)- passengers "locked in"

    Just seen this on Twitter: https://twitter.com/di_gilmore/status/1559675571050872832 Train impacted was 1S05 - which was delayed 50 minutes at Preston, and a 15 minute wait at both Lancaster and Oxenholme. Really doesn't look the best for Avanti...
  6. Agent_Squash

    Are the Euston - Blackpool (via Birmingham) services useless?

    Having done a long trip to Swansea over the last few days, I've ended up using the Euston - Birmingham - Scotland/Blackpool services. The one thing that struck me was how it appeared the entire 11 coach Pendolino came into Preston empty on the way down, and likewise emptied out at Preston on the...
  7. Agent_Squash

    Northern penalty fares - excessive?

    Was on the 0827 Oxenholme - Kendal this morning and the guard managed to issue three penalty fares by the time I'd got off 4 minutes later! What's more, the ticket check had barely passed the first half of the first carriage. The guard did seem very rude with the issuing of these fares -...
  8. Agent_Squash

    How should Weaver Jct capacity be increased?

    It's often said that Weaver Jct (and the double-track two/from it) is the main obstacle to a local service between Crewe and the North West. What infrastructure upgrades would be best to allow greater connectivity and potentially faster services?
  9. Agent_Squash

    Is electrifying Windermere worth it?

    Splitting from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/speed-upgrades-and-electrification.221504/ as it probably warrants it’s own thread… That’s what Chris Grayling said - but the National Park themselves don’t have a problem with it. Indeed, they support electrification, along with most other...
  10. Agent_Squash

    Milnthorpe speed restrictions

    I've noticed this week on my commute that each service seems to slow down around Milnthorpe. I know the PSR drops to 110mph EPS shortly after - but this reduction seems greater. Is there any temporary speed restrictions in place around Milnthorpe at the moment?
  11. Agent_Squash

    Northern station PIS announcements

    Just about to board a Northern service at Ulverston station, and noticed that the announcements are Celia. I could’ve sworn they were Anne previously - when did they change?
  12. Agent_Squash

    Was losing Stagecoach/Virgin bad for the railway?

    Stagecoach went out with a bit of a bang with their legal action against the DfT - but over the years I certainly considered them a reliable operator. I use Avanti regularly, and despite it being the same higher management, it feels like a completely different level of service - and not better...
  13. Agent_Squash

    Should SWR order more class 707s?

    Moderator note: Split from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/class-701-aventra-trains-for-south-western-railway.148717/ They could have the new 707s built in Goole and call it levelling up. Part of me thinks it makes a lot more sense than the current strategy. Order more 707s for SWR and...
  14. Agent_Squash

    Virgintrains.co.uk website (in the post - InterCity West Coast franchise era)

    Virgin have became the first former franchisee not to immediately redirect their website to their replacement, but it looks like they're already setting up for their new booking system. Currently their booking link redirects to LNER, but it certainly makes clear that Virgin aren't leaving rail...
  15. Agent_Squash

    Northern 185s

    Hi - are any 185s still operating on the Barrow-Manchester Airport runs after the May timetable change? Looking at the 1204 ULV-MIA in particular.
  16. Agent_Squash

    Would the Virgin brand help the next West Coast operator?

    Now Stagecoach is out of the bidding, it seems near certain that the Virgin brand is going to disappear from the West Coast and the UK. But considering the amount of brand loyalty that seems to be attracted by them, would it be a worthwhile financial decision for the WCP operator to licence the...
  17. Agent_Squash

    Are ticket barriers at one station an effective deterrent against fare evasion?

    The school kids at Ulverston station have been subject to a revenue block by Northern according to this article: https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/17353451.northern-boss-explains-the-chaos-involving-schoolchildren-at-ulverston-train-station/ Barrow station now has barriers - while surely this...
  18. Agent_Squash

    Could Windermere electrification return (to win votes)?

    Was reading through the thread about pollution at Birmingham New Street and it was noted that the idea of Windermere electrification could return as a vote winner. Westmorland and Lonsdale (of which the entire route is located in) is a seat with a 1,500 majority to the Lib Dems - and considering...
  19. Agent_Squash

    Idea: Could Class 185s operate at 110mph?

    With several Class 185s due to go off lease from TPE at the end of next year onwards, I was wondering - is it possible for them to be uprated to 110mph for usage on Lakes services to Manchester? With the same engines as the Voyagers, power doesn't seem to be an issue - but would anything else...
  20. Agent_Squash

    GN Class 387 - 110mph?

    As far as I can remember, the Class 387 fleet operated by GN are limited to 100mph because of their pantograph, which was changed (as far as I recall) to be the same as the 377. Now the fleet is exclusively operated on the GN, is there any chance that they may be able to operate at 110 again?

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