Increasing Capacity Across The Pennines
I’m not sure, if this is what Northern said they would do to increase the capacity across the Pennines.
The Class 168 train is towing a Pacer to nearly double capacity.
I saw this approach three times between Todmorden and Leeds.
This gallery shows the Class 150 train pulling a Pacer, I used between Todmodern and Halifax.
Do you get a discount for travelling in inferior accommodation?
A Pit Stop At Todmorden
On my trip across the Pennines, I had to change trains at Todmorden station.
I was able to buy a reasonable hot chocolate in the Queen Hotel and I would think about using the hotel for a bed for a night, if I were in the area.
It was certainly warmer in the hotel, than on the platform.
A Pit Stop At Halifax
One of the objectives of my journey from Blackburn to Leeds was to visit the Piece Hall in Holifax.
Last year in A Trip To Halifax, I had a quick look and said this.
I had hoped to find something hot to drink. All I found was a very bad hot chocolate in the station.
Surely, something better could be done in the green space by the station.
These are pictures I took.
As you can see the Piece Hall is now restored and a magnificent space surrounded by craft shops, bars and restaurants.
I had an excellent breakfast in a bar and restaurant called Elder.
There would also appear to be a sensible hotel just outside the station on the short walking route to the Piece Hall. It is called the Imperial Crown Hotel and it could be a convenient place to stay on a visit to the area.
- It’s within a hundred metres of the station and the Piece Hall.Trains from the station.
- Trains are approximately every thirty minutes to Bradford, Hudderfield, Leeds and Manchester.
- Trains take around thirty minutes to Leeds.
Next time, that I go to Leeds or Bradford, I’ll give it a try.
A Walk Between Burnley Barracks And Burnley Manchester Road Stations
Burnley Barracks and Burnley Manchester Road stations are not that far apart.
This Google Map shows Burnley’s three stations in relation to the Town Centre and Turf Moor.
The various locations are as follows.
- Turf Moor is indicated by the red arrow in the East.
- Burnley Barracks station is in the North-West corner.
- Bunley Central is at the North.
- Burnley Manchester Road is at the South.
- The Leeds and Liverpool canal weaves its way through the town passing close to Burnley Barracks station.
What the map doesn’t show is the terrain. The main station at Manchester Road is on one stretch of high ground and Central station and Turf Moor are on another.
So I walked between Barracks and Manchester Road stations along the canal.
It was a pleasant walk, but I still had a stiff climb up to Manchester Road station.
The East Lancashire Line
The East Lancashire Line is the line that runs through Burnley Barracks station.
The route needs to be improved and I wrote about this in Improving The Train Service Between Rose Grove And Colne Stations.
I suggested that Class 769 bi-mode trains would be ideal for the route.
Burnley Barracks Station
There would appear to be a lot of development planned along the canal.
Surely, this development will generate passenger traffic, as many will prefer to walk along the level canal tow-path, rather than climb the hill to Burnley Manchester Road station.
Burnley Barracks station needs improvement.
- Better shelter.
- Ticket machine.
- Better means of requesting the train to stop.
- Ideally, there would be a lift to street level.
But at least Network Rail are replacing the bridge over the canal and the platform can already accommodate a four-car train.
Conclusion
If refurbisheed four-car Class 769 trains replace the current two-car scrapyard specials on the East Lancashire Line, the following will happen.
- Capacity on the route will be doubled.
- The service will be faster, due to the increased speed and power.
- No expensive platform lengthening will be required.
- An hourly service between Blackpool South and Colne will have no problems operating seven days a week.
- Some stations, like Burnley Barracks, will need improvements to handle the extra passengers.
Two trains per hour will need track work to add a passing loop and modern signalling, and a few more trains.
The Anonymous Widower 