Branch Line Bulletin number 76

BRANCH LINE ISSUE 79

August / Sep 2005

THE PAINT HAD HARDLY DRIED...on this Class 150 Sprinter. It’s seen here in its new attractive Northern Rail livery, with the added bonus of vinyl's advertising the Buxton Festival. It’s certainly eye catching and Northern Rail should be congratulated on producing such a high quality product. A further seven themed liveries are to appear in the future, although those plans are yet to be finalised.

CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN

As a rail user group, we actively encourage people to travel by train and leave their cars at home. After all, if you happen to live in London, you could be faced with a congestion charge for the ‘honour’ of driving into the centre. The idea behind that was to try and deter those drivers who didn’t really need to use their car and could use public transport i.e. the train instead.

Good idea, I here you all say. Get more cars off the road, and more passengers using the train. So the latest proposal by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) does make me wonder whether we’re singing from the same hymn sheet. Passengers on heavily used routes could be subject to ‘congestion charges’ to prevent trains from becoming overcrowded !

ATOC predicts that train usage will increase by 28% over the next ten years. If these proposals do go ahead, then it seems likely that the traditional commuter routes around London and the South East are most likely to be hit. However, how will the Train Operating Companies classify which are ‘busy’ routes. You could argue that as Northern Rail isn’t blessed with huge amounts of rolling stock, and the majority of services employ two car Sprinters which struggle to cope with demand at peak times, Northern might find it justifiable to impose such ‘congestion charges’ on those routes which fit the bill.

However, it does seem utterly crazy to try and discourage potential passengers from using the train by increasing prices – Britain has one of the most expensive railway systems in Europe, and the way it’s going it will end up being top of the tree, which is something that we shouldn’t be proud about. The Blackpool to Preston route is one that doesn’t enjoy great timekeeping, it only reaches about 70% of trains running to time. Costly fares and poor running is a recipe for putting passengers off using the train for good.

BLACKPOOL TO THE RESCUE

Having personally experienced the running of charter trips, punctuality and rolling stock reliability are absolutely paramount in either making the day a memorable event or an absolute disaster. There are no grey areas (Ed.)

Picture the scenario. The Pathfinder Tours ‘Snowdonian’ to Pwllheli, which started out from Sheffield, had problems right from the start. The locomotive, a Class 37 provided by freight operator EWS, had mechanical problems, and after a late departure the engine shut down several times on its way to Birmingham. After attention to leaking coolant at Oxley, the train was now running 70 minutes late, and had lost the only available path at that time of day. It went as far as Shrewsbury, where Network Rail refused to allow it to continue.

After a lot of discussion, the train continued to Crewe with the view to an alternative destination. Eventually, Blackpool was chosen as it was easier to staff.

The English Electric Class 37’s are now, after a very long illustrious career, getting ‘very long in the tooth’. The remaining locomotives serving with EWS, for example, are high on engine hours (the equivalent in a car is its mileage -Ed). With newer and more powerful diesel locomotives available, it is uneconomical to put them through a major overhaul. Certainly the loco that was provided that fateful day was not the one Pathfinder had requested – they had asked for an alternative which was known to be a reliable performer, all to no avail.

FLEETWOOD LINE REVIVAL ?

Members may recall, some years ago, that there was a pressure group called Rail Road who were keen to see the restoration of the freight only line for passenger services to Fleetwood. After a very promising start, for various reasons, the momentum was lost and the group disappeared into oblivion.

However, a plan launched by the Poulton Market Town Initiative that wants to see the rail line up and running again, is very much gaining steam – but it could have been so much different has this association not offered a guiding hand!

We were alarmed to see an article in the Evening Gazette in May that residents in Poulton wanted to see the track ripped up and a cycle path laid in its place. We duly dispatched committee member Dave Evans to their next meeting to advise the good folk of Poulton that there was no need to go that far, as at one time the route to Fleetwood had been a double track formation. Some years ago British Rail had lifted one of the tracks therefore there would be plenty of room for both modes of transport.

The intention of the Poulton Market Town Initiative, a regeneration project led by business and civic leaders, is to explore ways in which the scheme to re – open the line could be funded. Certainly there is a lot of the necessary infrastructure still in place. For our part, the association will be meeting representatives from Northern Rail, and this subject will definitely be on the agenda.

Fleetwood is now one of the largest towns in the country without a rail service. Additionally, the line to the port could ease pressure on the A585 by transporting cargo to and from Fleetwood docks. Furthermore, it could also handle traffic for the proposed waste treatment plant at Hillhouse, Thornton.

Obviously, it is early days for these proposals. Dave Evans is now on the Initiative’s committee, which of course enables him to offer advice where railway matters are concerned. We sincerely hope that Poulton succeeds where the previous pressure group failed. This time the momentum must be maintained if any modicum of success is to be gained - failure is not an option.

STEAM EXCURSIONS

Since October 1998, Blackpool has witnessed at least once every year, the appearance of a steam hauled special. So far, this year, the resort has yet to break its duck (we should have seen Duchess of Sutherland earlier on in the year but the excursion was diverted to Scarborough due to engineering work along the WCML).

However, that may well all be set to change. There are no fewer than four steam specials pencilled in from August to November. They are as follows, but please bear in mind that these are provisional and depend on the operator firstly selling enough seats to make it commercially viable and secondly, the locomotive in question being available.

August 29th Jubilee Class 5690 Leander from Nuneaton.

October 8th 71000 Duke of Gloucester from Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (Illuminations special).

October 25 – 27th 45407/76079 from East Lancashire Railway.

November 5th 61264 B1 from Cleethorpes (Illuminations special).

For more information, please refer to the website www.uksteam.info

NORTHERN SHUFFLES FLEET

Northern has made several changes to their fleet of diesel multiple units with the start of the summer timetable. Eleven Class 150 units which had been based at Neville Hill, Leeds, have joined the rest of the 150 fleet at Newton Heath, Manchester, with eight former First North Western Class 158’s moving in the opposite direction. However, in practise a much more common user policy seems to have developed with Class 150’s and Class 156’s normally based at Newton Heath, being noted on services in the Leeds and Sheffield areas. More changes to unit allocations are expected.

NORTHERN FRANCHISE REVIEW

The Strategic Rail Authority – led review of the Northern rail franchise is expected to start in the autumn following the appointment of consultants Steer Davies Gleave. The main aim of the review is to identify reductions in operating and rolling stock leasing costs, and methods of increasing revenue, given “the very real affordability constraints and the high ratio of support payments”. Options include replacing existing heavy rail services with bus services (which would be highly unpopular and simply clog our overused roads with more cars – Ed), light rail where appropriate. Steer Davies Gleave is expected to have completed the review by spring 2006, following consultation with the SRA and Passenger Transport Executives with any service changes taking effect from December 2006.

RUGGEX VISITS BLACKPOOL

What’s a Ruggex some of you may ask? Well, in railway speak, it’s short for rugby excursion. Further explanation may be needed.

Sunday the 17th of July witnessed the final of the Northern Rail Rugby League Cup Final, between Hull Kingston Rovers and Castleford Tigers, which was sponsored by (funnily enough) Northern Rail. Are the mists clearing just a little?
As Castleford is within Northern Rail boundaries, a special 6 car multiple unit train was organised, and it is pleasing to record that this was a sell out. The colourful ensemble duly arrived at about 11.45 in Blackpool North. Colourful it was. The three two car sets were a former Arriva Class 156 in turquoise and white, a former First North Western Class 158 in blue and gold, and finally a Leeds Metro Class 155 in red and cream.

Unfortunately, the Castleford fans went home disconsolate as their team was beaten 18 points to 16.

It does seem a great pity that as the final was held at Bloomfield Road, that the train didn’t use Blackpool South which is just a five minute walk away from the ground. Admittedly, it would have had to have been coupled to the normal South Fylde line service train at Preston but surely that shouldn’t have proved too difficult?

So following on from the Footex’s organised by Blackpool Football Club when their fans travelled down to the Millennium stadium in Cardiff, we’ve now witnessed our first Ruggex. Hopefully, we might see one next year.

SQUIRES GATE TO BE RENAMED?

There can be no doubt that it’s all been happening at Blackpool Airport over the last twelve months or so. Ryanair is now firmly established with regular flights to London Stansted, Dublin and Girona. Add to that flights to Aberdeen, the Isle of Man and Belfast, things have really moved on at pace.

The latest announcement involves Monarch Airlines flying to Malaga on a schedule basis from November. Hence the airport now has a truly international status. Based on this, owners of Blackpool Airport, City Hopper Ltd think it would be a good idea to rename Squires Gate station to reflect its potential. Something like the title ‘Blackpool International Airport’ seems to be the current thinking.

BAFRUA suggested renaming the station five years ago by adding ‘for Blackpool Airport’ under the name of Squires Gate.

Whichever way you look at it, there is a great deal of potential extra revenue there for the taking from Northern Rail’s point of view. Just 70,000 passengers used Blackpool airport in 2003. This year it’s expected to be nearer 700,000. The growth is truly phenomenal and rail can play its part in what is turning out to be a very successful venture.

A SUMMER SUNDAY BEYOND THE S & C

The ‘bones’ of the day were, depart Blackpool North 08.40, arrive Leeming Bar 14.26, depart Leeming Bar at either 14.35 or 16.35 and arrive back in Blackpool North at 21.00. So how did we do it ; and what or where is Leeming Bar?

The first train in the summer (mid April to mid October) Sunday only ‘Dalesrail’ operating out of Blackpool North via Preston, Blackburn, Clitheroe and Hellifield to Settle and all stations to Carlisle. Fares on it are good value for small groups of people and families. From the intermediate stations along the ‘Long Drag’ there are a variety of walking opportunities, with a party leader available, and dedicated bus links to nearby places of interest. We chose to use the bus (additional to rail fare) from Ribblehead station to Richmond, passing through Hawes and Aysgarth, which are attractive in their own right. Leyburn in North Yorkshire, where we got off, is a quite compact market town with a Tourist Information centre, and local attractions accessible on foot or by local buses (check their times carefully on Sundays). There is a railway station on the edge of town which serves a route which at one time went (passenger and freight) from Northallerton across country via Bedale, Leyburn and Hawes to Garsdale on the Settle to Carlisle line. Our aim was to sample that line, now re – opened partially by a locally based operating group, The Wensleydale Railway www.wensleydalerailway.com, and we succeeded in travelling the whole distance presently open from Redmire to the station at Leeming Bar, adjacent to the A1 road, south of Darlington, north of Ripon and Thirsk.

Such a day – out requires either taking meals with you, or matching your changes of travel mode to places which provides food. There is only one ‘Dalesrail’ journey which returns to Blackpool, so it is important to be sure of all your return travel times (beware of tight connections). Your rail ticket allows return on the South Fylde line trains, but there is no direct morning rail connection, except by going independently to Kirkham. Also, given the fickle nature of British weather in hilly areas, be prepared !

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