Chester to Liverpool Lime Street

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Thanks for a great journey especially entering Lime Street.

[@doncoffey5820]

Amazing isn’t it. Good to see you, have a great new year.

[@flippop101]

Absolutely superb video. Always enjoy reading your footnotes too. Many thanks!

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated Philip 👍

[@trainmanbob]

Another excellent video. Thanks for your time and efforts Don. Cheers, Bob

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Bob.

[@roadie3124]

That signal box is worth preserving. Well done, lads. The Crewe to Liverpool section has always meant excitement to me. Memories from before age 13. Either we were catching a ship to the Far East, arriving back from the Far East or meeting relatives who were arriving from Africa. My grandparents lived near Stoke (change at Crewe ...) A memory from 1956. I was 8. After 15 months in Pakistan we all spoke childish, conversational Urdu. So that's what we did on the train. Three little white boys with blue eyes. I'm pretty sure that the other people in the compartment knew what was going on, but they didn't puncture our little game.

[@doncoffey5820]

Some interesting experiences, I wasn’t born until 58 so I missed quite a lot of the steam nostalgia you saw.

[@Keefa24]

Very enjoyable video again. Don. Thank you for sharing this very picturesque journey. Cheers from me in Brisbane!

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it Keith.

[@ianmosely3441]

Another beautiful trip, and very helpful notations. Don, you do a fantastic job on these vids. I see 1958 is your year Don. In 1958 I was a 20 year old firing steam locomotives. That year seen me transferred to Lumsden, NZ, working on the Kingston line. Love your vids Don. Keep them coming.

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated Ian and much respect to your contribution to the railway’s fascinating history. Of course I’m more than aware I’ve got it easy in the great big air conditioned cab of the 185. I don’t know if I’d have the grit to work steam engines. I can’t imagine how hot they’d be in summer or how cold they were in winter even with the fire. Then there’s seeing out in all weathers and getting them stopped and started. I’ve definitely got it easy. Take care Ian and thanks for following. I’ll have another ride over the Pennines soon but on the express so from a slightly different angle.

[@markheelis]

By far and away my favorite driver's eye view videos, they are always so informative.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Mark, much appreciated.

[@NapierNimbus]

Excellent viewing, sound and information. Love the sound of that stretch of jointed track.

[@doncoffey5820]

Excellent isn’t it ;-)

[@davidcowie2462]

Thanks Don for another scenic and information-filled video. You keep teaching this old dog new tricks! Once again we marvel at the engineering work approaching Lime Street. Well done Navvies!

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, brilliant isn’t it.

[@greatbritishentertainmentl5636]

Lovely sunny ride from Chester to Liverpool Lime Street, plus as usual exceptional trackside information by Don Coffey.

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed and thanks as always for the feedback GBE.

[@lauriecooper8194]

Brilliant Don, you stuff just keeps getting better & better. 👍👍

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Laurie, glad you liked it.

[@jerrydowse5061]

As always Don,many thanks for the informative trip.Hope tou and tours are ok and free of the bug.Safe driving to all.Cheers

[@doncoffey5820]

So far so good Jerry. All the best mate.

[@keithgnield]

Crikey that is a route - Chester to Frodsham that I know very, very well. Though the last time I travelled that route was probably around 1980. So much has changed - but so much still familiar. Gone is Chester No 2 Signal Box, a criminal act. The profile of Helsby Hill with the image of a man's face if you look at it from the right direction. You can just see my mum's old house in Frodsham. Frodsham station, the tunnels, the viaducts. That final approach to Liverpool still utterly astonishing. Thanks for sharing - this has really brought back memories.

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you liked it Keith. It often evokes memories for people, some good and some not so good. Wouldn’t it be good if we could do the same trip in say the mid 60s?

[@phwbooth]

Another fine piece of work; for this, and for learning even more about the running of a railway, many thanks, Don. Keep well.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks as always Paul.

[@musawenkosi86]

Thank you so much for these videos! I love trains and have always loved them from a young age. Unfortunately my country's railway infrastructure is not doing too great so can't really train spot well here! But your channel cures the itch!!

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoy them.

[@mr2646]

Don Coffey's videos : sublime ! 🤩🤩👌👍

[@doncoffey5820]

Why thank you 🙏👍

[@richardwestwell4902]

I am sure it is not my imagination but I think Don's videos are getting better. I love the "freeze frame" feature when there is a point of interest.

[@doncoffey5820]

Oh I like to think you are right!!!

[@TheGodsrighthandman]

What a thoroughly interesting and informative cab ride. Specially liked the pauses and occasional interjections of 'examples' & history done without breaking up the overall film. 10/10 & Subbed. Now to hit your back catalogue . . . .

[@doncoffey5820]

Don’t over do it or you’ll be up all night!!! There is another premier tonight with live commenting.

[@hughmnyks]

Lovely ride, and I've finally identified the escarpment, Helsby Hill! I follow your routes on an OS map on my iPad, which makes them even more fun!

[@doncoffey5820]

Before I joined the railway Hugh, I used to regularly drive along the M56 there and sure enough, I used to wonder about the same escarpment and that bridge spanning the motorway.

[@hanoverblue1535]

Don’t you mean Frodsham Hill

[@mozdickson]

Superbly well put together, brilliant silent narration (!) using captions, lovely scenery and educational. That's a Subscribe. In NZ, where train journeys are few..

[@doncoffey5820]

Occasionally I get asked to narrate but I think most, the lowering of the volume for voiceover detracts from the film so the videos evolved with a text. It’s kind of my trademark, glad you like it.

[@Joe-sn6ir]

i can't believe I watch the train videos, but yours are the best. little tidbits of info along the way. well done, sir!

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated Joe.

[@petesstuff]

What a fantastic informative video. Thank You for this. Always Meant to take the summer Saturday morning ghost train from Chester to Runcorn but never seemed to get the time. so glad there is a regular service now. beats the monotony of the Wirral Line.

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Pete. You might like the next video which runs from Chester to Birmingham.

[@TheSugarDaddy1]

Thanks for a great video perfect way to spend a hangover watching these love that map with all the old lines and stations on as well

[@doncoffey5820]

I’m not good with hangovers. I’ll try one of my own videos next time and see if it works!

[@mikesam347]

It was great watching this video, with good video and audio. The inserts with extra info is an excellent idea. I remember in the late 1950's how Huyton station with its four platforms had those mechanical signals. Straight edge Red ones, and B/W forked ones. I thought when both went up it was for an express. Indeed a steam train express often flew past called - Red Rose ?

[@doncoffey5820]

Those were the old semaphore signals Mike. You do still see them from time to time but it’s nearly all colour lights these days.

[@anmolmehta7116]

A lovely cabride from Chester to Liverpool on a bright sunny day with windy conditions. Very entertaining also Don. Can't wait to know about the mystery of the backward signals, why they were set up facing the opposite direction to the trains. Like you said, the answer to that unanswered question will be given in another video. Anyway, have a good day, take care and stay safe.

[@doncoffey5820]

Hi Anmol, I hope you are well. Yes, I’ll explain that conundrum soon!

[@zippy5131]

Being a Chester lad.. ahem.. and having travelled the line from Manchester Airport so many times coming back from over seas. Plus spending some time at Alstom in Chester on the Coradia's. Oh there's more being Ex RAF I spent seven years at RAF Valley living opposite Holyhead Station. Loved it especially when I could not sleep at night listening to the trains pull in and out. Plus they still have semaphore signals there. Helsby and Frodsham beautiful stations Frodsham I always park there when I go to the model shop just up the road. The stunning scenery is why I always come back home to Chester. Great Vid. My hat is taken off to you good Sir.

[@doncoffey5820]

Much appreciated. Watch out for the next video as we head off into mid Wales and then Shrewsbury which is proper RAF country (or was in its heyday). Plus! Wait for it, lower quadrant semaphore signals on the main line. It’s taking quite a bit of researching but even I’m enjoying it. Coming soon!

[@oldestnic]

Your knowledge of the history of the railways is impressive. I know the Lancashire/Cheshire area as a child on a bicycle. My father and grandfather worked for a little known small company called Metropolitan Vickers in Manchester. Of course no one remembers Metrovicks these days, even twenty years ago I visited Colgate Palmolive Manchester (RIP) Trafford Park and the people working there had not even heard of Metrovicks!! FYI during WW1 there was a shortage of rails and the British Government was looking to buy outside of the UK. They found a small ironworks in India, called Tata, and started to order the rails from them, the founding of the modern company! One civil servant in London said "we will never buy rails from an Indian company".....

[@doncoffey5820]

I’m afraid that I do remember Metrovic quite well!

[@zeepee6919]

Hello from New York City I enjoy watching you driving of these great trains!

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you like them.

[@geoffreyhobbs1548]

I was a student at Liverpool University in the mid 1960s. At that time there were still a few steam trains running in and out of Lime St. station, their presence obvious from the clouds of smoke and steam appearing from the open parts of the cutting from time to time. Some of the older parts of the University ( I assume that they are still there) are built at what, at first sight, appears to be a strange angle but which is actually just parallel to the lines into Lime St. station.

[@doncoffey5820]

There is a good book available on Amazon which you might enjoy Geoffrey, called Liverpool’s Railways Through Time.

[@veridiannexus3535]

Reminds me of my days at Chester Depot NWT then ATW the sounds bring back memories can almost smell the trains lol. Did this run now and then.

[@doncoffey5820]

It’s regular now and I’m fairly sure it was a few years back.

[@kenkitching9437]

Another excellent and informative video.. Loved the comment re the 'Simpson's Sky' .....

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@donwright3427]

Nice ride . I wanted to be a train driver when I was a kid

[@James-Power82]

Another top notch video Don. Many Thanks

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks James

[@terryengland1880]

Nicely done

[@luziapereira6491]

SUPER GLAD ! I 'M A BEATLES FAN AND I WAS SURPRISED SEEING PARTS OF LYRICS OF "PENNY LANE " THAT I LOVE . I THINK SOME PLACES LIKE "SPEKE " / ALLERTON AND WAVERTREE ARE HISTORY OF THE BEATLES . I NEVER COULD VISIT THERE , MAYBE , SOMEDAY I WILL DO IT . THANKS FOR SHARE THESE PRECIOUS IMAGES AND INFORMATIONS TOO .

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you liked it Luzia. If you look on Google Earth, you will see that down the road on the corner there is indeed a barber shop!

[@Schony747]

Excellent presentation. With so.e you lose interest pretty quickly. This was entertaining with helpful subtitles. Enjoyed it all from start to finish.

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@alanmolyneux5957]

Excellent video and very educational. The one thing you could possibly have referenced is the new Alstom Pendolino depot on left just beyond Ditton station.

[@doncoffey5820]

I referred to it in another video (Class 68) and unless there is something of note, I try to vary the content.

[@josephkarl2061]

"Simpsons sky" 🤣🤣 I wasn't aware you had a talent for skateboarding with radioactive materials Don 😄

[@doncoffey5820]

I was wondering if it was too cryptic but from the many comments, obviously not!

[@temphold1]

Superb. Thank you.

[@doncoffey5820]

Most welcome 😊

[@dazzlerbob1870]

Thought of this video last week as we came back from Liverpool along the M56 and passed underneath the thumbnail bridge. Looking forward to the next cab ride to Brum.

[@doncoffey5820]

Its tonight Bob! By the way I drove home last Monday that way too.

[@andyc3088]

I enjoy watching your videos Don as I'm from the South and never been to Liverpool. The only place I get near to Liverpool is Liverpool Street Station in London. Watching this video, is almost like watching the route on Train Sim...

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you liked it Andy.

[@zhaozheming4405]

Cannot believe semaphore signals still on the mainline.

[@doncoffey5820]

They do yes, in many places.

[@barryedmund8015]

Nice to hear from you again Don.Keep up the good work please

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks, will do!

[@ulysees08]

Thanks Don. Like the trivia on route👍

[@doncoffey5820]

Trivia! Its good solid info!!! Just kidding, glad you enjoyed it.

[@dazzlerbob1870]

Nice one Don. I went on the train on Saturday. First time since Covid. Looking forward to this, but I'm not furloughed now.

[@doncoffey5820]

Nice one!

[@BirdLopers]

ah, the black starry wee hours of a Winter Saturday morning - and what an opening to the weekend: an Irish Coffee, some bikkies, and an iarnród video, this time thanks to TrC... ready when you are :) thanks Don (good to see you again), and best wishes to all from Oz in these serious times

[@doncoffey5820]

Thank you for joining. I’ve sent the sun round to you, it should arrive soon ;-)

[@ramonwilliams5721]

Great to see your name pop up, another great video.Hope you and family are well.Kind Regards

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks, you too!

[@Johnny16781]

Great to see you back Don Hope you are keeping well ? Looking forward to this 1

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks John.

[@gwrydd]

really wish they would re open the ditton station itd be really handy for us living in widnes to not have to change at south parkway

[@doncoffey5820]

Fingers crossed 🤞

[@dhaynes4515]

This is like having to eat my turnip greens before I can have my chocolate pie.

[@doncoffey5820]

I hope it was worth it!!!

[@M124M]

......determination and ingenuity.....we need that now😋

[@doncoffey5820]

Couldn’t agree more!

[@caramelldansen2204]

21:05 I always wondered what that bridge was for!!

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes it’s very distinctive. I’ve passed under many times but until seeing this footage, never from on top.

[@jessicamorgan3073]

Thanks for another fab video. The colours in this are more vivid (to me anyway!), maybe you had the Sun behind you for some of the way. Btw, you put an E where an W should be in the caption at Frodsham Junction (19:41)! :-)

[@doncoffey5820]

That new camera takes lovely footage Jess. Thanks for the correction, I’ll add it to the video description x 😉

[@AJSkyWorld2024]

I do have a question for Don if he can explain but at 19:40 at Frodsham Junction, it says the main line that goes right sends you to Warrington and the ECML. Now pardon me asking but isn't Warrington on the WCML between Crewe and Wigan?

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks Martin. I don’t know what I was thinking there! I’ve put an amendment in the video description.

[@mikerobson3328]

yahhhhh been long time olbean :) can't wait to see it.. Hope ya doing well matey take care from down under

[@doncoffey5820]

All well Mike, I hope the same for you.

[@mikerobson3328]

@@doncoffey5820 doing my best matey cheers

[@jezm1703]

Thank you for the very informative and fascinating approach to Lime Street. Fantastic feats of engineering. It's made me want to investigate the topology and geology of the area. Any good books or articles you can recommend?

[@doncoffey5820]

I’ll ask the guy who provided the additional material and come back to you.

[@jeffross5424]

enjoyed this run...thanks!!

[@doncoffey5820]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chemistmanuk]

Another great, really professional quality video. Thanks. I have a general question about junctions. I always assumed that a junction was the divergence of one or more lines to different destinations but it seems that the name is often given to what I would have called a simple crossover layout. I know that some junction names will be historical, and refer to lines long closed...but a crossover?

[@doncoffey5820]

It’s a good point. It is most definitely the case that they are sometimes the remnants of something more extensive - either where there were several crossovers or diverging lines which have completely disappeared. However, occasionally it is because the crossover is more of a strategic feature that form the reversing point for a particular service - where a train starts back to form a service or a freight train reverses to gain access to a siding or yard.

[@ianwalker1198]

Who remembers Halton junction signalbox

[@doncoffey5820]

I never signed it but some of the subscribers will.

[@Broadercasting]

This is my favoured route into Liverpool Lime St from Chester. There is a mystery at 39:50: As we go underneath the bridge, where does/did that 'diveover' go, over the top to the right? It (was) electrified with OLE, now overgrown, and looks more important than a simple headshunt...

[@doncoffey5820]

It would seem so but that is all it is - a posh headshunt.

[@johnnorton5523]

Look forward to it 👍

[@fredvanassendelft1175]

What I am missing in the UK are all kind of signs along the track, f.e. Beacons announcing a signal, or indications of the mileage etc. Also I remark an big amount of lose rails along the track?

[@doncoffey5820]

Have a look through this Fred; catalogues.rssb.co.uk/rgs/rulebooks/RS521%20Iss%205.pdf

[@scottmaclean1248]

Don, whats the structure to the left of the lines just where the Chat Moss lines join? Its got electrification masts etc on it, but it also seems to be covered by trees

[@doncoffey5820]

It was a flying junction Scott where trains from Wapping could join the Chat Moss and Bootle lines on the other side of the railway.

[@Thursdaym2]

Much better view of countryside from a train rather than a motorway. Was the slogan " let the train take the strain "?

[@doncoffey5820]

It was but if I remember correctly, it was frowned upon because of the narrator. A certain Mr Savile.

[@GRAHAMAUS]

Hehe, you call that a "Simpson's sky" too? It's obviously a thing then, not just our family :)

[@doncoffey5820]

I wish I could have super imposed the title! I don’t know how many would have got what I meant 😉

[@mouseyhair100]

lovely video as usual but please what are the metal "rails" seen between the track as at 18.56 and plemty of other vids singly or several?

[@doncoffey5820]

There is a caption telling you - to stop the train wandering off the viaduct if it derails. On occasions, loose rails get left in the tracks ready for installation.

[@mouseyhair100]

@@doncoffey5820 Thanks ,yes I saw the caption but there others not on a viaduct with such rails just wondered.Your vids kept me going thru lockdown thanks a million

[@paulbutterfield4867]

Great video as usual, Have you ever thought about doing your own voiceover instead of the written descriptions ? Just an idea.

[@doncoffey5820]

I have but just not got round to it. I’ve got a run from Hull to Manchester that I was just going to chat over to start with.

[@m.moolhuysen5456]

Hello Don, do you happen to know what purpose the arc-shaped structure appearing at 23:12 might serve? I've looked on maps and satelite image, but I could not find an indication of a footpath at this location.

[@doncoffey5820]

It’s a footbridge that links housing estates on each side of the line.

[@30041946]

Hello Don - re running brake test . Why do you conduct this brake test after you reached the summit? If you have a brake failure would it not be more prudent to test the brakes on the rising gradient as you could hold the train on the rising gradient with the traction motors? Regards Roger

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes its a bit strange Roger but the Rule Book is getting on a bit and that was brought in when trains would possibly have come to a grinding halt if they did it while climbing. Its at the driver’s discretion but most do it just going over the top. The advice in the braking instructions is “when you are at sufficient speed”.

[@Andrewjg_89]

So where does the single line on the left at Runcorn station goes to. Is it a freight line?!

[@doncoffey5820]

It drops down into an industrial area for which Runcorn was once famous and of course is now just a shadow of its former self. Have a little look at Google 👍

[@seany8787]

Slight error with your JLR factory description. The factory does not produce the entire range of JLR cars but produces the 2 most popular : the Discovery Sport & Evoque

[@doncoffey5820]

Quite right! I’ll amend it in the video description.

[@jerrydowse5061]

You and yours.Sausage fingers..🤞

[@doncoffey5820]

I’m hopeless sometimes ;-)

[@hcneely3789]

Are you still planning to film Manchester to Birmingham?

[@doncoffey5820]

To be honest, I think I’m going to have to take stock and see what can be done. Certainly where I work, two in a cab is not going to happen for some time. Keep your fingers crossed 🤞

[@russouk]

Aha...good stuff....Booked my seat...lol

[@doncoffey5820]

Thanks for joining as always Russ.

[@paulbutterfield4867]

Did the driver get any advance warning of there being another train on the same platform at Lime Street ?

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes Paul - the position lights in the tunnel tell him the platform is occupied.

[@TheNorfolkThunderbolt]

I will be here with my Eccles cakes and a nice cup of tea!

[@doncoffey5820]

I would expect nothing less Steve.

[@russouk]

Nah...Ckicken Curry rice n chips and can of Kopparberg for me...lol

[@tobyyong9489]

What class will this be filmed in?

[@doncoffey5820]

It’s a 150/2 Toby.

[@tobyyong9489]

@@doncoffey5820 Brilliant!

[@alfiedoolan1808]

Do you drive the trains

[@doncoffey5820]

I drive the Transpennine Class 185s but not all the trains in the videos.

[@ArnoldClarke]

Who is the hell is Queen Ethelfleda?

[@doncoffey5820]

Oh aye but she was real! Not good when you’ve had a drink or two.

[@andrewharman8712]

How the hell can the driver make out what colour the lights are cannot see a thing 😅

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, the camera isn’t good at distinguishing that kind of detail but thankfully in real life, things are much better!

[@Guard_Amos]

Sounds like some dodgy seals around the gangway door

[@doncoffey5820]

Yes, it does happen. Not good on a winter’s day!

[@barryedmund8015]

Don why dont you start a fund raiser for a state of the art.Its the least we can do for you.

[@doncoffey5820]

I donate all the revenue to charity Barry.

[@carolynechols1354]

I have a question. When trains in your videos enter tunnels, it is completely dark in there. Is it just the camera configuration or are the train's headlights not on?

[@doncoffey5820]

Its the camera. GoPro cameras are fantastic for filming these trips but they are less than useless in the dark. We can actually see much more than the camera would suggest.

[@russouk]

@@doncoffey5820 yeah...good old MK1 eyeball.

[@sw01ller]

There are some tunnels where you can’t see a thing though. The headlights on a train are actually not there for the drivers benefit, but for people about the track like permanent way staff, the lights do show a bit of what’s going on but you really can’t see far. Don wouldn’t know much about this as his 185’s have headlights designed to burn dots in the back of your eyeballs! 😂