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Halton Curve passenger service resumes

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Halton Curve passenger service resumes - Posted: May 22, 2019 - 11:18 AM Quote and reply
Paasenger services in both directions recommenced on 19 May 2019. An approximately hourly service operates in each direction between Liverpool Lime Street & Chester, calling at Liverpool South Parkway, Runcorn, Frodsham & Helsby.

Two dmus are required, and should normally be TfW Class 150s, but on at least 19 & 20 May, reliveried Class 158s were used on one diagram. Class 175 is also permitted, and was used during route learning. but would not be expected to appear unless there is a shortage of Class 150s.

With a 40 mph limit over most of the Halton Curve (Halton Jn to Frodsham Jn), do not expect any outstanding performances !!!!!

Also note that I failed to spot any mileposts on either side of the line on my trip on 20 May, possibly due to "plentiful vegetation".

The line had never been officially closed to passengers, latterly having a single one way (Chester - Runcorn) service on Summer Saturdays.

The last booked services towards Chester had been a Summer Saturday service from Liverpool to Llandudno in the Summer 1989 timetable. There had been no booked Monday to Friday services since the 1974/1975 timetable.

The new Northern Chester to Manchester Victoria & Calder Valley services also commenced with the new timetable. The two services I observed on 20 May were both formed of Class 158 + Class 153. Again these are mostly hourly, but certain peak hour trains serve Ellesmere Port rather than Chester, replacing the former sparse Helsby - Ellesmere Port "shuttles".


BP


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