June 2024 reopening of the line between Clitheroe and Hellifield for passenger trains

[Xenophon PCDGS]

If there are Northern staff at Blackpool who do not like the routes they have, they should put in a request to move to other depots rather than demanding preferred routes be given to them. Local news might have a field day with this so they should be mindful how far to push this demand.

Why are Blackpool Northern staff involved about a service that starts from Rochdale and goes nowhere near to Blackpool?

 

[D6130]

Why are Blackpool Northern staff involved about a service that starts from Rochdale and goes nowhere near to Blackpool?

Because the previous DalesRail service, which ran on Sundays during the season from Blackpool North to Carlisle via Clitheroe, was worked by Blackpool crews as far as Hellifield, where they were relieved by Skipton crews. As a result, Blackpool depot seem to be claiming 'grandfather rights'if you will.

 

[Llandudno]

Because the previous DalesRail service, which ran on Sundays during the season from Blackpool North to Carlisle via Clitheroe, was worked by Blackpool crews as far as Hellifield, where they were relieved by Skipton crews. As a result, Blackpool depot seem to be claiming 'grandfather rights'if you will.

But wasn’t the Dales Rail service regularly cancelled owing to no (presumably Blackpool) train crew being available…?

 

[D6130]

But wasn’t the Dales Rail service regularly cancelled owing to no (presumably Blackpool) train crew being available…?

Funnily enough, yes! It wasn't the only service operated by Blackpool crews that was regularly cancelled. AIUI, they are perpetually short of conductors.

 

[Meerkat]

Surely the National union leadership should be laying down the law and explaining to the Blackpool lot how the Daily Mail/Telegraph will spin this!?

 

[Jack Hay]

Because the previous DalesRail service, which ran on Sundays during the season from Blackpool North to Carlisle via Clitheroe, was worked by Blackpool crews as far as Hellifield, where they were relieved by Skipton crews. As a result, Blackpool depot seem to be claiming 'grandfather rights'if you will.

Northern are very keen to point out that this is not DalesRail, so reference to 'the previous DalesRail service' here or anywhere else is unhelpful. It is not going to be marketed as DalesRail. Some differences; it starts from Rochdale and Manchester, not Blackpool. It runs to Ribblehead, not Carlisle. It runs on Saturdays, not Sundays. It runs all year, not just in summer.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

reference to 'the previous DalesRail service' here or anywhere else is unhelpful

Says who? While there are differences such as Rochdale origin instead of Blackpool, and whether it runs on Saturday or Sunday is really rather unnecessarily pedantic, any limited service train running from the Clitheroe line and south of it, over the disused stretch to Helifield, and up the Settle and Carlisle line somewhere, is always going to effectively be a retake on DalesRail in some shape or form, and it is not fair to say that no reference to the previous incarnation is of use.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Says who? While there are differences such as Rochdale origin instead of Blackpool, and whether it runs on Saturday or Sunday is really rather unnecessarily pedantic, any limited service train running from the Clitheroe line and south of it, over the disused stretch to Helifield, and up the Settle and Carlisle line somewhere, is always going to effectively be a retake on DalesRail in some shape or form, and it is not fair to say that no reference to the previous incarnation is of use.

And I'm fairly sure that previous incarnations of DalesRail have terminated short of Carlisle and have run from Manchester, though I don't know about Saturdays. It has taken various very different forms over the years.

 

[Starmill]

And I'm fairly sure that previous incarnations of DalesRail have terminated short of Carlisle and have run from Manchester, though I don't know about Saturdays. It has taken various very different forms over the years.

The 'Ribble Rambler' often ran in the off season or shoulder season. It was usually two train pairs rather than one and usually to Hellifield only.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The 'Ribble Rambler' often ran in the off season or shoulder season. It was usually two train pairs rather than one and usually to Hellifield only.

I don't mean that (truly a one man, dog and bicycle service) but earlier DalesRail incarnations, e.g. in the 1980s.

 

[Class 170101]

Surely the National union leadership should be laying down the law and explaining to the Blackpool lot how the Daily Mail/Telegraph will spin this!?

 

[MidsMike]

The Northern Rail £10 newspaper offer starts this week with tickets valid until 19th July.