[Archive] Northern (Arriva Rail North)

[knutstransport]

RE: Northern (Arriva Rail North)

(28/10/2016 06:53)wirralbus Wrote:  Is there a specific reason why the Manchester via Stockport service always operates from Platform 6 at Chester , it rarely if ever uses Platform 5

For a number of years it was the case the 09:17 Manchester to Chester was doubled up and went in to platform 5 and the units were separated with just one making the return working and a 142 being left at platform 5 until the afternoon. Then the 12:17 Manchester to Chester (booked as a 156) went in to platform 6 but the crew switched to the train stabled at platform 5 for the return working. A Lime Street crew then arrived ECS with a 150 (going in to platform 5) and took the 156 (from platform 6) which then did the Helsby-Ellesmere Port runs before moving to Lime Street for the evening peak. When the 13:17 from Manchester arrived at Chester that went in to platform 5 and joined up to the unit stabled there for the return working (which got all the schoolkids travelling on it.)

The above changed when the 07:17 Manchester to Chester got strengthened from 2 carriages to 4 meaning the 09:17 went from 4 to 2.