Captioned CLC Piccadilly to Lime St via Warrington

[@mickyg1953]

Brilliant video. I never realised that the cutting down from Edge Hill was so deep. An amazing feat of “navvying. ”

[@doncoffey5820]

Michael , it never ceases to amaze me. Wonderful isn’t it.

[@martinmarsola6477]

A birds eye view of ever aspect on the trip. Very appreciated. Thanks Don! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🙂👍🇺🇸

[@doncoffey5820]

You must be expert by now Martin.

[@AndreiTupolev]

One interesting fact about Widnes station: it was the station that Paul Simon was sitting in when he wrote his hit "Homeward Bound" (beginning "I'm sitting in the railway station, got a ticket for my destination") in whenever it was, probably 1960 somewhen.

[@louv4437]

Your videos are awesome and educating thanks for sharing!

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated!

[@bobp6742]

I was a driver based at Crewe but left in 85. Started at crewe working in Crewe south box in 75 when I left school working with the murray brothers les, ken and bill, regulator was Harold Chapman, always came across as a grumpy old sod but he was ok really and a shock when you saw him actually laughing, stuck up for me on a lot of occasions. Got on the footplate at 18 by transferring to saltley diesel depot Birmingham and like a fool transferred back to crewe after 18 months. So after 10 years in BR went into working on the overhead power lines and ended up in nuclear industry. We never did this route out from crewe. Thanks for the upload. Those modern LED lights and banner signals sure look a lot brighter than what we had to squint out at.

[@jensham1945]

Poor weather but yet another fabulous journey. Thank you for your work bringing us these rides.

[@OliverWoodphotography]

Nice to see how many of the traditional CLC station buildings have survived on this route and not been replaced by soulless bus shelters. I also like how the wet weather adds a nice atmos to the ride.

[@doncoffey5820]

The highlight in terms of buildings is Irlam Station - wonderful.

[@HenrysAdventures]

Really enjoyed watching this video! Love a trip over this line.

[@doncoffey5820]

There is newer version in better weather and I’ve got the other direction (same as the 158) to edit still. I’ll get round to it Henry.

[@josephkarl2061]

It's the 19th of December in Hamilton, New Zealand. The high 20s most days and muggy as all get out. This rail journey in the cold and wet makes me feel a hundred times better. Many thanks, and keep up the great work.

[@doncoffey5820]

Well I’m not keen on constant rain and it doesn’t help the filming. Glad you enjoyed it though.

[@josephkarl2061]

@@doncoffey5820 I'm probably a bit unusual in that I love that kind of weather, and I think it made for a very atmospheric video. Many thanks for all your hard work, and I look forward to seeing more!

[@rogercrick9813]

Another entertaining and informative vide, thank you. I do like the fact that the captions show before the feature describe appears.

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, I’ve tried to improve on earlier videos thanks to feedback from viewers.

[@andybelloasis]

I really enjoy these videos being a wannabe train driver myself. Love the fact i can see it from a drivers perspective and recognise all the track components. Really informative with the captions, thank you for posting these videos.

[@billseymour-jones3224]

Great ride, made all the better by your wonderful, informed commentary. Thank you. It also disproves once and for all the rumour that it never rains in the NW of England....

[@sw01ller]

bill seymour-jones in what universe is this a rumour??

[@modelsteamers671]

Another great video Don, thanks for uploading it. A few facts about the route that you may be interested in :- For years when loco hauled trains worked out of Lime Street to prevent the need for inward locos needing to run round the stock in the platforms it was regular practise for coaching stock from Downhill Carriage sidings to Lime Street to we worked without a loco! Once the signalman had confirmed the route was set all the way to the buffer stops and all signals were off the Downhill pilot would propel the coaching stock onto the mainline where the guard would control its speed using the handbrake all the way down to Lime Street platforms. Along the cutting wall were painted large numbers decreasing from Edgehill these were an aid to the guard braking the stock. It used to be said if you couldn't read the numbers you were going too fast !! I'm not certain when the practice stopped but it was a lot later than you'd imagine - I have a feeling it survived until mid 1970s though. Paul Simon wrote the song 'Homeward bound' whilst waiting at Widnes station - "I'm sitting on a railway station, got a ticket for my destination" etc When the Ship canal opened in 1893 Manchester was actually the 3rd busiest port in the Uk despite being 40 miles inland.

[@doncoffey5820]

Brilliant information - thank you.

[@modelsteamers671]

@@doncoffey5820 Next time you drive over the route have a close look on the cutting wall you may even still be able to see some of the numbers, it must be 20yrs since I've been through that stretch but odd ones could still be seen.

[@simonboulton4490]

Don your knowledge and your route knowledge is absolutely amazing it really adds to these driver eye views and makes them so interesting especially to a rail enthusiast like me. Keep up the good work.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Simon. Until quite recently I signed that route and knew it like the back of my hand but at the moment, it’s not in my link. Glad you like the videos.

[@markem41]

After Flixton Station, the line curves left and then right before straightening towards Irlam. This is because the original track alignment was replaced by the current alignment to provide increased height to take the line over the bridge built as part of the Mcr Ship Canal. It's also why the line passes the 'wrong' side of Irlam Station buildings.

[@doncoffey5820]

It is Mark. Glad you brought it up.

[@colinlothlorian]

Really enjoyed this one, 45 years since I was a trainspotter at Lime Street. Used to be an 08 on station duties, normally parked up on the turntable, platform 10 was parcels, post office and cab rank. It certainly looks a lot tidier these days!

[@martinusher1]

The line used to diverge to the left before Throstle Nest to carry traffic to Altrincham and Chester. They had 1500volt electric trains running between Oxford Rd and Altrimcham. These were upgraded to 25kV and then the line was taken over by the trams leaving just a siding where they turned the electrics around. (Another piece of trivia is when I first arrived at UMIST there were still occasional steam hauled freights, a huge locomotive pulling a long train of containers across the viaduct between the tall buildings . The sound was amazing....then steam just went away.)

[@rotman1288]

Roughly what year would you have seen these steam-hauled trains? I'm just old enough to remember the "new" Oxford Road station being opened at the end of the Fifties. The design of the station and its wooden structure were considered to be well ahead of its time and I think it was suggested that steam engines would no longer be allowed to use the station in case they set it on fire! I certainly remember the old DC electric services to Altrincham.

[@EM-yk1dw]

Excellent film once again Don. Throstle Nest Junction was the start of the Fallowfield loop line which ran round the south Manchester suburbs to form a triangular junction with the ex GCR line at Fairfield. The expresses out of Manchester Central made use of this line.

[@doncoffey5820]

Such a shame it was lost. I don’t remember it but I’ve studied it quite a bit. We used to do hourly Cheshire Lines runs to Liverpool but we don’t do them at the moment.

[@danamack7405]

Hi! Actually I love the rain - provides an interesting mood to the video ! Thanks much for the sound as well ! Best regards, Dana.

[@doncoffey5820]

If you like sound, you’ll like the next video. Keep an eye open for it Dana!

[@nodularprurigo]

Thanks for an enjoyable ride as always on East Midlands, in reality or virtual.

[@georgeburns7344]

Thanks for captions. I enjoy watching the cab rides. The captions make them more interesting. You can't do much about the weather.

[@AndreiTupolev]

There's something very restful about speeding along a long, perfectly straight line to the accompaniment of the gentle ticking of the wipers.

[@doncoffey5820]

I was concerned it might irritate some people! Glad it’s OK.

[@itzalbert_ytrobloxgamesand6623]

Not necciserily I went on holiday and it was pouring it down and he was going fast

[@StageParades]

It's now August and hey watching this morning as another wet and windy Atlantic storm passes over. Blackpool Air Show cancelled today as a result. Another NEW line for me, only ever passed the other Warrington station, now tomorrow's upload is my usual route these days (well most of it). As always crammed with information not like some lesser cab rides. Thanks Don, have a good weekend.

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated, thanks. I will be getting the Bank Quay route soon. All the best.

[@phwbooth]

Another excellent cab-ride, thanks, Don. Interestingly, the journey took pretty well the same time as it did in the 1930s!

[@amtrakharry]

Great video again Don !!! The picture quality was "excellent" and the wipers didn't bother me at all!!! Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year to you and you friends and family !!! Thank you for sharing !!! :):):)

[@doncoffey5820]

Same to you Harry.

[@patrickspeaight9154]

I remember passing throught this station 1943 to 1945, air raids and all, then by bus to catch the ferry to Ireland. . Thank you

[@doncoffey5820]

Good heavens. It must have been a scary time Patrick but what I wouldn’t give for a look around then.

[@Foggen1231]

That was brilliant. Thanks for the vid, commentary, tour guide and editing!

[@hoover517]

Another great cab ride. Love the informative captions. keep up the good work. .

[@petrolhead9027]

Another great ride Don thanks and have a Merry Christmas

[@johnberry7355]

Often take this 'detour' to break the monotony when visiting family in the Wirral from Hull. Thanks for another great film....

[@thetallyeti8398]

Excellent video and very informative. Keep up the great work.

[@rwm2986]

Another excellent travelogue - thanks.

[@grahamcollins9559]

Cheers for an enjoyable 45 minutes the added comments and information give a different angle on the railway. Have a merry xmas.

[@duxberry1958]

A very good video i do this line every week and i hate to think how many times i,v done it over the last 35 years ... been along it twice today ...

[@alan5]

Thanks Don love the video

[@doncoffey5820]

Welcome Alan, thank you.

[@AML2000]

I grew up next to a Cheshire Committee Lines embankment near Stockport in the 1950's. The trains were all steam then. It was an impressive sight for a young boy to go into Piccadilly station with all the snorting steam monsters there. We moved to the US in 1959 so it's still something of a shock to me to see that Warrington is now in Cheshire rather than Lancashire. I see you mentioned Lancashire a couple of times even though the area hasn't been in Lancashire for over 40 years, so maybe locals have the same problem!

[@brianlawrence7119]

you never fail another excellent video I think the rain added to it once again well done and thanks

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Brian. If you like the rain, you’ll like the Calder Valley video I’m working on. It will be out soon.

[@brianlawrence7119]

@@doncoffey5820 look forward to it

[@keithshephard6802]

Thanks for a Great video, love the rain and the wipers but I’m watching this rather late at night and I keep dozing off because it is so restful I’ll have to watch the rest tomorrow.

[@doncoffey5820]

I showed the old chap next door who was always keen on railways. He got no further than 20 seconds before nodding off!

[@David330ify]

Great video. Really enjoyed

[@iantaf5559]

Another good un, Don!! I am surprised that the area around Edge Hill has not been remodelled for higher speeds, especially where the Ditton route diverges from the Chat Moss route. Now to ride the class 68 from Crewe!!!👍🏼

[@doncoffey5820]

Its a lot faster on the Fast line. We can get up to 80 along there but the light loco is limited to 75.

[@EthanDPW]

Another excellent video, Don. They get better every time. Thanks for these, have a merry Christmas.

[@doncoffey5820]

Same to you thanks.

[@TheDaf95xf]

Great video Don. My hone town as a boy was Urmston lol 😆 I remember all the railway lines in Trafford Park and played there at a weekend as at Irlam steel woks. The men use to let us on the shutters what fun we had back then 👍🏻 Great vision of the Victorians making the bridge over the ship canal ready for expansion into X4 tracks. Shame it never came. Did you know that Irlam station is now the wrong way round? Stevie 😃

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, somebody mentioned it is on the old alignment before the ship canal bridge.

[@starshine1843]

Wonder watch. Thank you so much.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thank you too!

[@wirksworthsrailway]

A great video (as always) but what a miserable day!

[@doncoffey5820]

It was a period of dry weather Neil and the one day I’d got a refresh in for the Chat Moss diversion look what happens 🙄

[@ianr]

This is only the second video I have viewed since subscribing. Great video, the captions are really helpful. 👍🙂

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it Ian. I will be updating that Lime St video very soon.

[@dave6695]

Having just discovered your video series a few weeks ago, I must say I have enjoyed every one. This one though not as much. I know the day was dreary and raining, that window wiper stopping halfway across from right to left got to be irritating. I know that wasn't any fault of yours Mr. Coffey. Just that it got on the nerves. I love reading the on screen notation as an American with an intense interest in UK trains I learn quite a bit. Thank you.

[@doncoffey5820]

It got on my nerves to Dave. However, I have since got cracking footage of the same journey in good weather and one of these days I’ll get it edited and post it up.

[@duainesimpson274]

I love your videos !! So educational & full of knowledge !! Please keep them coming. 😃

[@doncoffey5820]

More soon Duaine.

[@andyskinner3731]

Great video Don not least because it goes past my house. Just to let you know Widnes station is very much in Widnes. Farnworth is a village in Widnes that the station is in, it was known as Widnes North for many years.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks for the info

[@mrbluesky2050]

another excellent video Don, nice to see that it DOES rain in Lancashire too !

[@doncoffey5820]

It does, and Cheshire as I’ve been reminded!

[@lauriecooper8194]

Another fantastic video & so informative.

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated Laurie.

[@RSTurbo50]

Just a quick one, both Widnes and Warrington are actually in Cheshire. Also, you stated the nearest town to Widnes station was Farnworth, Lancashire. Farnworth is actually a small village thats in Widnes, Cheshire. Great video though.....

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks for the info! I know there are two Farnworths but must have got mixed up!!!

[@oldestnic]

The line from Oxford Road to Altrincham was the first electrified line in the UK at one point. The second was around Heysham near Morecambe. I think both were electrified around the first world war. The line from Old Trafford went to Warwick Road (for the LCC cricket ground at Old Trafford). The line past MUFC ground ran past my bedroom window...The extensive railway network in that area served Trafford Park industial estate, which apart from Kellogs, Colgate and Corn Products was really famous for Metropolitan Vickers who then employed tens of thousands in the biggest engineering shed in Europe, where everthing frrom Steam Locos to power generation equipment where exported throughout the world. Its all gone. (Westinghouse -> Vickers->Metropolitan Vickers-> GEC-> closed) Some of the first DC electric locomotives were produced as well as aircraft and engines, the first electron microscopes etc.

[@doncoffey5820]

I learn a lot from these comments - much appreciated.

[@BladeRunner21577]

No it wasnt. It didnt get electric trains until 1931. London Underground was the first (second really, but the first was a very short railway having only 5 stops in Brighton and Hove). Liverpool Over Head Railway was the second in 1893 The Mersey Railway was the third in 1903 The Lancashire & Yorkshire Railways Liverpool to Southport route was the fourth in 1904 Even The Southern got electrification before The Manchester South Junction and Altrincham Railway was electrified. In fact it wasnt electrified until after The Grouping of 1921

[@johnwebster3224]

Noted the "new" Shap to Tuebrook Sidings Stone Train in the sidings at Edge Hill. This train will be split in two and worked as two trains to Edge Green (Golborne) via Ince Moss Junction - WCML - Haydock Junction. Reason for split - short run-round sidings at Edge Green , former Kelly's Bitumen site!

[@exileinderby51]

Love the video, very informative, thanks.

[@peebee143]

At around 25:50 you mention traction. The worst thing I have ever encountered for traction problems was clay slurry, left on the rail-head by Ro-Ra vehicles. Caused a C.E. train to be split into two for the loco. to be able to lift the load, then later a rake of 6 parked Mk.I coaches to run away against the parking brake on a light gradient!

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, it can be very serious. I can remember various incidents caused by low adhesion but Network Rail do a lot of devegitation and water jet the track every night during leaf fall. The media think it’s a joke but it isn’t when you get a couple of hundred tons sliding.

[@peebee143]

@@doncoffey5820 Like that one on the Southern a couple of years back, was it Polegate??

[@stephenduncan3605]

Nice to know you still call the area Lancashire which it actually is!

[@gazriley624]

back home to the best city Liverpool

[@EinkOLED]

I've driven this route on Train Simulator 2018 using the same train and sometimes the class 142 DMU.

[@bcoffey]

Presumably that Widnes Station is the one that Paul Simon was thinking of when he Wrote "Homeward Bound"

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, apparently so.

[@bcoffey]

He said if you'd seen Widnes than you'd know why he was homeward bound.

[@dpjones1]

Used to travel this line alot at the weekends was always on the look out for the giant darts after Warrington on the right but there's either too many trees in the way or they've got rid.

[@BladeRunner21577]

28:32 on the right was the start of two triangle railway junctions that took the CLC route north towards Aintree station and then loops left towards the docks, the second triangle was a smaller one inside the first and started at Halewood station, the end of it was opposite the office building 29:01 you can see on the left, the big triangle finished just before the bridge before Hunts cross station. (It was the only access the CLC had to the lucrative north dock complex in Liverpool. The track at hunts cross used to have 2 fast and 2 slow lines with 4 platform faces. 30:57 the bridge is a curious thing in that it was built purely to allow a near by farm access to their farmland. It is now disused, access is cut off with a metal fence both ends on the left side leads to a drop and a factory fence. At 31:37 you can see the remains of Hunts cross West signal box. Disused since the power box was built at Hunts cross 31:45 This line is the Merseyrail, closed by Beechings report that closed so many lines across the country, Liverpool city council decided Beeching was wrong and reopened it. It is now one of the busiest railway networks outside of London 32:03 on the right. Allerton TMD. This depots claim to fame comes in that it was the base of training operations when the railway recieved its overhead electrification wires. All the electric train drivers in the country trained at Allerton TMD. Shed AN, formerly 8J and 8H The chord line that runs along side the TMD is only a recent addition to the line, since 1966. Before that services from Liverpool Lime street to Manchester Oxford Road went via Warrington Arpley, which are the low level tracks on the Ditton line.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks as always for the interesting additions. I learn a lot from feedback like this.

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Great journey and very informative.

[@briansaiditsoitmustbetrue4206]

AWESOME ... Nice little train 158's .. Well sorted little DMU's Only got a top speed of 90 MPH ..But they do the job .. Did you see the class 66 in EWS livery at 06:42

[@ianinvancouverbc]

I took this route in May 2018 just for the sheer hell of it to get to Liverpool the long way

[@TheNorfolkThunderbolt]

By the way Don, I like rainy day films as well, as they can give us a real world view of the hazards faced by train crews....

[@doncoffey5820]

Hi Steve. I don’t mind the rain but sometimes the wipers can be noisy then it gets a bit should destroying.

[@EldersOok]

What "Atlantic storm" ? Very clear view actually, despite the rain/wipers. Thanks again for your efforts!

[@doncoffey5820]

We only got the tail end but it rained for days!

[@AndreiTupolev]

Shame Throstle Nest Junction is no more. That was one of my favourite junctions, along with Stoats Nest Junction.

[@fbricher588]

Yes and how about North Pole Junction?

[@andrewphillips9391]

@@fbricher588 Vitriol Works Junction?

[@davemaxwell7698]

haha ypu did this for me Don?! this is my route to work so really interesting to see it from the drivers view

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it. Watch out for the return journey.

[@patrickspeaight9154]

May I recommend your later videos for your tourist board. My knowledge of Lancashire and Yorkshire is coming along nicely. Thank you, Patrick, Northamptonshire

[@doncoffey5820]

The North Wales Coast video has been used in various travel journals. Quite an accolade I suppose.

[@rayphillips9266]

To watch this, I was wondering wether to sit and watch it with my mac on !!

[@doncoffey5820]

Sounds a bit pervy Ray! I know what you mean though. There will be a dryer version soon!

[@johnbrown9092]

Great journey.

[@spiritofcantaolisboa-p8871]

Excellent video, just subbed.

[@talos2384]

One time on my way to college the train missed my stop so I thought “ok, don’t panic I’ll just get off at the next stop” but wouldn’t you know it the train misses it and every other stop until we get to Manchester! Needless to say I was late to college

[@doncoffey5820]

Oops!

[@nwguyuk]

Hi Don. Great ride through my home land. Just to mention, the caption at 21.10 that says the “fields of Lancashire”, am afraid is incorrect. The boundary change in 1973 saw those fields cross into Cheshire. Widnes is my hometown, so I kinda know what I am talking about ;) And I really hate to contradict but at 23.30 the village of Farnworth is just an area of Widnes, Cheshire. It was the original Roman settlement. Widnes Station IS geographically in the middle of Widnes, but not near the actual town centre shopping area which as you say is about a mile to the south. The station is far from a parkway. For information - Hough Green is also a part of Widnes. The town of Farnworth, Lancashire is about 30 miles away, near Bolton.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks for the additional info.

[@rickmeyrick4357]

If i had a £1 for every EMR service i'd signalled, pffft, 4-1-4 Bells through Hazel Grove/Stockport for a class 1, 2-2-1-3 for an ECS to from Notts/ Lime St, 4 Bells & 2-2-1 Up the Valley. Great ride, very smooth without any hitches, bar the atmospheric conditions ?

[@bitmadmax]

Used to commute from Warrington central to pic each day and never really gave a thought or appreciated the history of this line (at the time!). Crazy to think of the vast sidings that were at glazebrook over the abandoned viaduct (now hinted at with the permanently set danger signal), or the "straight" line that once existed between Sankey and padgate, all long gone now sadly. Does anyone know roughly at what point in the video would the sidings into burtonwood airbase have been? And from which direction they could be accessed? Thank you for posting this video. So much more insight from the cab.

[@doncoffey5820]

The calling on signal was the entrance and only from the Warrington end as far as I know. The signal is at 19:28 and the opening is just beyond the bushes at 19:30.

[@jon99t]

don your video was ok as it was raining was very well don

[@adolfhelmet6]

One comment. The line does not go through Lancashire. From Glazebrook to Hough Green you are in Cheshire. And Farnworth is a suburb of Widnes,. If you ask a non-Widnesian where Farnworth is, they would say a town near Bolton.

[@grahamslack9360]

Thanks for that. As a resident of Bury the reference to Farnworth puzzled me.

[@MartinMiller1]

Excellent

[@TheCatOfWarCSGO]

Eyyy another awesome journey, great recording and thanks so much! I really appreciate the time taken for all the detailed captions, some fascinating info. By the way, I hate to ask but is there any chance in future we might see some recordings in the South Yorkshire area, eg Sheffield to Doncaster/Leeds? Cheers! And merry christmas!

[@doncoffey5820]

We don’t actually go on the “South Pennine Route” so for now, I’m not sure I can help with that. Its simply down to the way the company is split up.

[@TheCatOfWarCSGO]

@@doncoffey5820 Ah no worries then, thanks anyway!

[@petersimons5675]

Not exactly what you are looking for but these channels may be of interest m.kzbin.infovideos m.kzbin.info/door/I1y1snuEdAok7jjYj4dpKwvideos This provides alternate view of Hull m.kzbin.infovideos If you do not mind a older videos

[@peckelhaze6934]

If you are at a platform with a red signal ahead and the guard bells you to say "right away", do you acknowledge the guard immediately or when the signal changes? Great video. The weather just adds to the enjoyable atmosphere.

[@doncoffey5820]

In that case, the guard would be considered at error. It’s a belt and braces way of avoiding accidentally passing the signal at danger.

[@peckelhaze6934]

@@doncoffey5820 - Certainly makes sense. Thanks very much for the answer, much appreciated.

[@BladeRunner21577]

You missed the old site of Sefton Park Station at 37:23 You missed the old site of Wavertree station at 38:23 Its Edge hill TMD and Downhill sidings. At 38:46 is where the slow lines that go into Edge hill, which is on the left, went right over the line you are on (seen at 39:13) and onto a line that was called the "Circular goods" line or more officially the Main Goods Line. It went right over the main running lines then looped to its left around past the old engine shed that was where Wavertree technology park is now over the Chatmoss lines under the upper part of Edge hill gridiron and down into Tuebrook sidings and the Waterloo tunnel. the line itself always on a viaduct or embankment, part of which is still evident at 39:38. Its a bridge to nowhere now, but it was one of the most remarkable things about this site At 39:31 you label it Edge hill TMD is actually Downhill sidings, Edge hill TMD cant be seen at that point, the washer line and the line the train is on is Downhill. on the opposite side of the line 30odd years ago you would have seen nothing but locos, 40s and 45s mostly some 20s 26s 31s..... it was teaming with them. First Edge hill while not being in spirit as old as Broad green is still the original station it was then, Broad green is Broad green in name only, that makes Edge hill station the worlds oldest railway station that is still in use. Because those buildings date from 1836 and are still used as a station. Secondly at 40:49 you see the entrance to Wapping tunnel and headshunt. Wapping tunnel unfortunatly obscured by the trees at 41:00. That would have been in some ways the most remarkable part of the whole ride as it would show the site of the oldest part of the worlds first Intercity railway and the site of the only surviving part of the once stunning Edge hill cutting. The oldest part, the terminus station has long since gone but the Edge hill cutting is still there, still in use as a headshunt.

[@doncoffey5820]

I have trouble fitting captions in sometimes as I can’t label a junction or station and add a caption. I’ve got Final Cut Pro but its that complicated I can’t figure it out!!!

[@markem41]

Hopefully you can do another version with blue skies - makes everywhere look a bit nicer! Considering the straight nature of most of this route and the lack of junctions, is there any reason why the line speed is not higher than 85?

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, it was a bad day. Maybe I’ll get diverted in better weather and I’ll record it again. Some of the speed limits could be raised but they tend to keep them the same unless they revise the signalling.

[@josesal]

Question,,,When you have a course deviation from the normal route, do you announce it to your passengers?

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes Josė, we have to because some need to find alternative transport and we’re not allowed to “over carry” customers 👍

[@albertomadeirajr7824]

Do your speed get restricted when the rain gets really bad?

[@doncoffey5820]

No but we get restricted by high winds on occasions. 50 mph is typical.

[@pburr1973]

From about 39.33 onwards - the higher electrified line in view, would that be the 'line to nowhere' ?! Just a dead-end stub, but what would have been part of a complex network of through lines & sidings in this area (over to the right & beyond).

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes. If you look on Google Earth, it just stops but its too grand for just a siding. Maybe somebody will comment.

[@pburr1973]

@@doncoffey5820 You are right I'm sure. The line formed a link to the once extensive sidings/through lines in this area. It was previously much more complex than it is now - although I don't know the area that well. Odd it just stops at nothing today!

[@MarkCSevenSixTwo]

The footbridge at 15:29 is reputed to be haunted....

[@doncoffey5820]

I don’t believe in such things and I’ve never seen anything!!!

[@adamhaigh9947]

Which one is faster from Manchester to Liverpool: via WAC or NLW?

[@doncoffey5820]

I think even without stops, Chat Moss is fastest. If we were delayed before we got to the Cheshire Lines route, they would divert us via Chat Moss to catch up some time.

[@robertjones-eb4xo]

Can you shed some light on this one, Don , 1976 cab ride Machynlleth to Pwllheli very good for that time, BUT Commentary drove me to turn off sound, continually going on about "Milepost from Whitchurch" every 1/4 mile ! What is/was the point ? My mate is a Driver on Arriva , but he aint got a clue !

[@doncoffey5820]

Hi Robert. I had a look at that and I don’t know why he seemed fixated on the mileposts. Unless he was doing it for the Permanent Way engineers that locate everything by milepost. Thats the only reason I can think of.

[@robertjones-eb4xo]

Yes as Iv said present train drivers I know 'aint got a clue. Have to say most say the Beeching cutbacks 60s were bad etc. BUT , I remember it all , and very few folk were using these Local services. It was costing the Tax payers a lot. Soon as it came in, heavens EVERONE was a train user ! Even tho we were all buying our own Morris Minors !

[@9tomato9]

I don't know if this has been asked before. Does the single "ding"prior to signals ahead, indicate "signal ahead" to the engineer?? I can see the sensors on the track bed which probably trigger it.

[@9tomato9]

Maybe the longer tone is "green", the short tone is "yellow"?

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, a ping relates to a green signal but the same track equipment (an electro magnet with switchable north and south poles) can give a horn sound if the signal shows yellow or red aspects. I’ll be posting a video covering signals and indicators soon.

[@9tomato9]

@@doncoffey5820 thank you.

[@Sam_Green____4114]

Never been one this line (from Manchester Vic to Allerton Jn) Pretty devoid of freight isnt it? Except for Trafford Park terminal .What is the single line that comes in from the right at 16:10?

[@doncoffey5820]

Its just a long siding at Warrington. It may have been part of a 4 track alignment in years gone by.

[@anmolmehta7116]

Enjoyed the video Don. But does it rain like this a lot in this area? It practically rained non stop the entire journey.

[@doncoffey5820]

Quite a lot yes. They call Manchester “Rainy City” but on the day of filming we had the tail end of an Atlantic storm.

[@gruggberg6053]

I wonder why they always have a speed reduction on this stretch?

[@doncoffey5820]

Where abouts Grant. Don’t answer this, post a new thread.

[@stephencryan5180]

After passing Sankey for Penketh you erroneously say that the train is passing through Lancashire. Since local government reorganisation in 1974 what you refer to is now North Cheshire. The train runs from Greater Manchester through Cheshire (Warrington and Halton) to Merseyside. Lancashire nows starts north of St. Helens and Wigan. You repeat the error when the train runs into Widnes. Before 1974 Widnes was a borough in Lancashire but since 1974 it is part of Halton (Widnes and Runcorn) in Cheshire. The station was originally called Farnworth but after the loop into Widnes was closed in the 1960s the name changed to Widnes North. Now it is just Widnes.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks for pointing that out. Apologies to the good people of Cheshire.

[@markem41]

Although the re-organisation in 1974 created new administrative counties, the original 'historical' counties were never abolished or altered, so you're both correct!

[@doncoffey5820]

Oh good!

[@albertomadeirajr7824]

What is the top speed on this line? Or what i mean to ask is how fast can you go?

[@doncoffey5820]

We can run stupid to 85 mph on longer stretches on this line.

[@bcu567obzx]

What is the maximum speed reached by this train at any one time?

[@doncoffey5820]

158s are good for 90 mph but it was restricted by line speed to 85 mph in the video.

[@tonyp011]

this line should be electrified considering it runs between two city stations if they can electrify the Preston to Blackpool line then this one should be done because they overcame any low bridge on the preston blackpool so the same can be done here then journeys would be quicker, whats your thoughts on the idea?

[@doncoffey5820]

I agree Anthony but the chances of it being financed are slim now they’ve electrified the Chat Moss line. Maybe one day???

[@FM60260]

@@doncoffey5820 With battery technology getting better as time goes on it won't be long before they will be able to build electric trains that can charge within station stops and run along non electrified routes, meaning only express trains would use OHLE. Unfortunately such technology won't be available soon enough for them not to electrify the Bolton to Blackburn line resulting in the planned demolition of the historic bridge near Turton between Bromley Cross and Entwistle.

[@markheelis]

Any chance of the rest of the journey from Norwich to Manchester?

[@doncoffey5820]

Unlikely Mark as its off my patch. Never say never but it won’t be a priority. However, if TPE get that Nottingham work, that might be different story.

[@j12j12lee]

I just wish it was a little bit easier getting onto the trains as a driver. It's shockingly difficult

[@doncoffey5820]

It is difficult but if you find it “shockingly difficult” it probably isn’t right for you. You can always try another vocation on the railway then try for driving again after you pick up some experience.

[@j12j12lee]

The psycometric testing is quite difficult. Often, TOC's find drivers that are great at passing tests, which is brilliant, but when it comes to driving a train they're a different ball game all together when they're released on their own. I take on board that it's not unheard of going through the back door and joining in another vocation with that TOC. Did you do the Psycometric testing or was it only just coming in when you joined as a driver?

[@michealmatthews9377]

is there a farnworth near widnes as well as the one outside of bolton?

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes there are two. The one near Bolton and the one near Widnes. I thought it was an error at first.