Trains at: Manchester Piccadilly, WCML, 07/12/19

A very enjoyable and quiet morning spent at Manchester Piccadilly on the West Coast Mainline where we see plenty of services from Virgin Trains, Cross Country, Northern, Transport For Wales, Transpennine Express and East Midlands Railway.
This was the last day that Virgin Trains were in operation
Manchester Piccadilly wasn't at first called Manchester Piccadilly. It's history and long and varied and very interesting to say the least.
At first the station was opened in 1842, it consisted of 2 platforms, offices and passenger facilities such as a waiting room and toilets. By the time the station had opened the line had been extended to Crewe. During the same time there was a large area cleared for the construction of the station which resulted in the removal of terraced houses and several industrial outlets which would also make way for a railway viaduct to be built.
All of this was done by the Manchester and Birmingham Railway.
In 1846 the Manchester and Birmingham Railway amalgamated with several other companies to form the London & Northwestern Railway.
The station was named Store Street when it was first built by in 1847 was renamed London Road. 2 years later the station was being used by the Manchester, South Junction and Altrincham Railway when the line to Manchester Oxford Road was completed. It was using a single platform that would serve as the predecessor to the through platforms that are 13 and 14.
By the time the 1850's made an appearance the relationship between the two companies that were using the station had near enough fallen apart so an agreement was made between the two to completely rebuild the station which would allow them both to still use it but have no interaction with one another, the MS&LR was running on the north-eastern side and the LNWR was operating on the south-western side. The station was given a huge make over, a new entrance and concourse was built. A 200 meter long iron and glass trainshed was built which would cover the terminal platforms, during the construction of the roof it collapsed resulting in the fatality of 2 workers and injuring 30 more.
The cause of the accident was determined to be the result of heavy snowfall and strong winds.
Over the course of the next few years both railway companies built warehouses to the northern side of the station and the viaduct to the South was widened to accommodate four tracks.
The peace was not long lasts however as during the next 10 years the station once again started to see far to much passenger usage for the size of the current station so further upgrades were needed to increase the number of platforms. The single use platform was redesigned as an island platform which now stands as platforms 13 + 14 and was connected via a footbridge.
All the completions were finally made in 1882.
Between the years of 1958 and 1966 the station was rebuilt as part of the West Coast Mainline modernisation plan by British Railways and was officially renamed Manchester Piccadilly in 1960.
When the station was being rebuilt it cost roughly £1.7 million which in todays money is around the £38 million Mark.
This was done for the preparation of the electrification of the line and to allow electric trains to run into the station, the actual roof that spans over the station is the same roof that was built all those years ago and has been given some work over the years to keep it safe. It was shortened slightly towards the concourse end of the station.
Most of the other work that was taking place around the station was to relaying of tracks and new signalling being installed as well platforms being made out of solid concrete.
Towards the end of the 1980's platforms 13 and 14 were lengthened for the larger trains operating on the network. During this time a new rail link was being opened which would run right through Manchester which in turn would allow trains from the north of the country to run right into the heart of Manchester instead of having to go around the city which resulted in shorter journey times.
In 2002 the station was yet again given a major overhaul, this was in part to do with the 2002 commonwealth games. As such it meant that £100 million was given. This meant that the glass roof could be worked on which allowed for new plains of glass to be installed and for it to be repainted. A new concourse was built complete with a mezzanine floor which contained shops and various dining outlets. And ever since then various projects have taken place to make the station more appealing with new shops and better facilities for passengers and station staff.
My next station is going to be Manchester Oxford Road.
You can now find me on Facebook through the group Tornado922, there you will find regular updates, videos and photos from all of my goings on throughout 2019.
You can also find me on Instagram through the name tornado922.

[@Cpr1234]

Northern livery actually looks nice on the 323's and it was also quite fitting to do Manchester piccadilly on VT's last day. The last virgin train out of euston was 1T71 which terminates there.

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

The Northern livery 323 took over the old purple livery even though some 323 got replace by arriva.

[@watsonkarter8697]

I dont mean to be offtopic but does someone know a way to log back into an Instagram account? I stupidly lost my login password. I love any help you can give me

[@royalonyx2919]

@Watson Karter instablaster ;)

[@watsonkarter8697]

@Royal Onyx i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff now. Seems to take a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@watsonkarter8697]

@Royal Onyx It worked and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy! Thank you so much you saved my ass :D

[@dizzy4017]

8:03 oh how we was blissfully unaware of the shoddery that was about to commence

[@DavidPeacock1972]

I have fond memories of the 158's. Accrington to Leeds/York over the Copy Pit line with many a sounding of the distinctive two tone. The whine of the engine also.

[@Tornado922]

I haven't really travelled on one for any decent amount of time. But from an outside perspective they sound amazing

[@ClaretBlueTrainspotter]

Great video.

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@peterbumble0_13]

Excellent as always my friend, man pic is my local city as I live in hudds so is always a great place to visit . Take care mate:)

[@srgntsylveon2919]

0:41 the ghost of EMR

[@EthanAfro707]

RIP Virgin Trains. Avanti West Coast: You have a lot to do to be as good as VT

[@DemarD__D]

EthanAfro ikr

[@acelevelbroz8963]

Fantastic station and great variety

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@sethgallop9266]

Northern rail "Hell Hounds" 😂😂😂 great video today it was sad to see VT go

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, it as a shame that VT are going after 22 years on the WCML

[@buksi6342]

That must be the longest time a TOC has operated the same route. 22 years is really long for just 1 company.

[@srgntsylveon2919]

Nice to see Manchester picadilly

[@LucyMichela]

Talk about sheer luck. I've only seen one refurbed 323, twice, in two weeks of regular walking past the WCML and you see two seperate ones in probably 20 minutes haha

[@Tornado922]

I just have that magic touch when I come to these stations haha

[@levichalcraft8702]

Good to see the pacer replacers (195’s) out in force

[@Tornado922]

They will be getting more common throughout next year

[@eddieivekich8756]

Flight

[@thomasnorton2679]

Give the pacers a break Jarred, make peace with them before it's to late, LOL

[@Tornado922]

Never ;)

[@alisonrawlings6679]

But why. Just think of the pacers as squeeky trampolines

[@Rob_Star]

@Tornado922 , you should do Warrington Bank Quay Station, good station on a weekday (on platforms 1 & 2 south end, best spot I would say)

[@Tornado922]

I would love to go there during the week but unfortunately I work during the week so I only have weekends available to me

[@AndreA-ke2id]

So boring these days,listening to the sound of vacuum cleaners coming and going. Thank goodness for the 158.

[@brmusicvideos3673]

A train-Packed video!

[@chrisatrailway7573]

Great video and yep I'll be glad when the pacers go out of service.

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, they are horrid things

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

@@Tornado922 Hey, they're not horrible I like them but not WMR 139s

[@Bobslogistics001]

fab video tornado bit of sad news for everyone the 221 super voyagers in 2 years time will be phased out and being replaced by 800 or 802 or something

[@Tornado922]

The 221 will be getting a complete overhaul over the next 2 years before they get replaced

[@dsintel6652]

Great Video! I'm heading up there on the 18th, hoping to see a 350 before they go. Should see a lot of 195s too!

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, I hope you had a good time!

[@dsintel6652]

@@Tornado922 One of the best trips I've been on! It was a miracle that the southbound 350 was on time!

[@MOC923]

@@Tornado922 Payback Speed

[@Trainspotter11_]

Another Fantastic video here Tornado922! I really enjoyed this :)

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much :)

[@teabag21again11]

Enjoyed here too thank you. My train expert tells me that avanti is Italian for forward! or Let's Go!

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much :) Avanti is the Italian for forward. Also I answer your question in part 3 of my Q&A

[@TPhype-Discovery]

Long Live the class 390 and 331

[@Kwebbel48]

great video!

[@Tornado922]

thank you!!

[@b00108982]

Love it

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@eddieivekich8756]

I love it to

[@dancohen9141]

I am currently looking at real time transfer kings cross and as I scroll through a certain time of day there’s a pair of 66s that pops up dragon drop them into another comment when I find them but they are coded but they just seem to float back-and-forth between Fernwood Park and kings Cross

[@tob19]

Aw, bransons baby is now an Italian cooperation

[@Tornado922]

After 22 years of loyal service

[@reecelucasfilms]

Good Video

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much

[@onnomulder9775]

What is going to happen to the Virgin fleet? Very nice vid again!! Cheers from Holland. Onno.

[@blkpig6664]

Awesome film. But sad there's no more Virgins :{....

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, they have been running strong for over 22 years so the new company have some very big shoes to fill

[@Matthew_Webb_2023]

Virgin trains has actually renamed to avanti west coast

[@gstakk3136]

they havent renamed it's a new company that are taking over the west coast mainline

[@djk2509]

You said about filming jurney videos please do when you can the BIG East Midlands service. NORWICH-LIVERPOOL LIME STREET.

[@Tornado922]

I will try and bring them back next year for you!

[@hesterclapp9717]

Today: I hope that Avanti West Coast do Virgin Trains proud and continue to offer a simply outstanding service Tomorrow: Avanti West Coast website crashes

[@Tornado922]

I did see that

[@SPOOKYGAMER]

It Annoyed me to hear that Virgin Train did its final whistle, I have alot of memories on them train!

[@Goodalex-ux8kc]

I never knew that at 1:50 trans Pennine express 185’s are 158’s

[@Tornado922]

Me either ;)

[@jamiedaffeh9985]

You coming to reading the 345s are rolling in left right and centre

[@Tornado922]

I will be there next year

[@robloxboi3108]

Rip virgin trains Great vid btw! aaa got here too early only in 360p what station you doing next?

[@shanitahogan8031]

he's doing manchester oxford road next

[@dancohen9141]

I am currently looking at real time transfer kings cross and as I scroll through a certain time of day there’s a pair of 66s that pops up dragon drop them into another comment when I find them but they are coded but they just seem to float back-and-forth between Fernwood Park and Kings Cross what do we think that is

[@eddieivekich8756]

I love training to tonaod922

[@madmackemstransportadventu523]

Its Avanti Trains now

[@Tornado922]

I know, but this was filmed on the last day of VT operations

[@madmackemstransportadventu523]

@@Tornado922 ah i see.

[@scottsdaytrips]

Hi Tornado922, did you know that Virgin Trains West Coast has now changed into Avanti West Coast Trains.

[@Tornado922]

I do indeed, I filmed this on their final day of operation

[@ghighlandchieftain4462]

Brilliant video tornado922 how was trainspotting in Manchester

[@Tornado922]

Thanks very much, it was very enjoyable thanks

[@thefoodchallenger3982]

When did u film this. Virgin Trains are gone and on the 8th December Avanti West Coast came

[@robloxboi3108]

The Food Challenger he filmed it on the 7th but was uploaded today (14th)

[@levichalcraft8702]

It says in the title

[@FM60260]

Did that 195 slip at 12:22?

[@agent_605]

More likely that it was the transmission changing gear

[@dianecooper9932]

12:22

[@timdaugherty5921]

I was wondering if you can explain to me why the Caledonian sleeper train takes eight hours to get to Scotland but the virgin train service just takes four hours to get there from London

[@agent_605]

Quite simply to give passengers time to sleep! Also, it is limited to 80mph to avoid an uncomfortable ride for passengers sleeping which isn't noticeable when sitting down

[@agent_605]

Sicilian Gecko (Not including times to get to the airport, check in, get through security, get on the plane, fly there then do the rest in reverse)

[@agent_605]

Sicilian Gecko which is more expensive and you still have to go through security and get to the airport (ends up being slower than the daytime train from central Edinburgh to central London

[@peterharrison3521]

Trian see

[@TheGWRailfan]

I was personally very sad to see Virgin go. Were you? Nice video though!

[@Tornado922]

Well I've essentially grown up with them since I can remember. I think they will be missed

[@SPOOKYGAMER]

I was the same

[@SPOOKYGAMER]

@@Tornado922 my last memory on them was travelling to London

[@reecefoster5855]

Can you do trains at Hatfield pls

[@Tornado922]

I will do next year for you

[@kidsanthony6330]

is it the first time you've seen EMR

[@Tornado922]

I think it would be

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

150133 departure for Sheffield

[@Tornado922]

Thanks for letting me know

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

Your welcome

[@davidk4926]

Have you seen 222104 yet lol

[@Tornado922]

Not yet

[@hbthetrainfan6133]

It's avanti West coast not virgin trains

[@RyanHenson]

It wasnt when he filmed it was on the 7th December (avanti hadnt taken over yet)

[@josephharrison8354]

Check the title.

[@gustavkhn8]

Klööö

[@AntonFanify]

Oh yes. The horrid pacers. Something you would see in your nightmares!

[@Tornado922]

I feel sorry for people having to travel on them for any length of time

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

True

[@gustavkhn8]

Ukkll

[@gustavkhn8]

Lölööö

[@gustavkhn8]

Lloöp

[@gustavkhn8]

Löölöö

[@gustavkhn8]

!ööööööö

[@funfaircrazyuk]

Can you talk a bit slower in the next video

[@Tornado922]

I'll be sure to slow down a bit next year :)

[@onnomulder9775]

What is going to happen to the Virgin fleet? Very nice vid again!! Cheers from Holland. Onno.

[@Tornado922]

The 390's are getting completely refurbished and will be staying. The 221's will also be getting overhauled over the next 2 years before they get replaced by the 800 series from Hitachi