Electric Passenger Services!

Yesterday, 30 December, 350401 and 350403 operated the 07:15 Manchester Piccadilly to Glasgow and the 11.09 Glasgow - Manchester Piccadilly, marking the first run in normal passenger use.

350403 working alone did the honours today.

Phase Six

The DfT today announced that Wigan North Western to Bolton (Strictly Wigan Station Junction to Lostock Junction) will be electrified, with completion targeted for 2017.

A task force has been set up to consider "where next" for electrification in Northern England.  They  have a list of routes to examine:

• Leeds-Harrogate-York
• Selby-Hull
• Sheffield-Leeds
• Sheffield-Doncaster
• East Coast main line-Middlesbrough
• Sheffield-Manchester
• Warrington-Chester
• Crewe-Chester.

Phase One - At Last!

5T91 23:09 Ardwick Traction Maintenance Depot to Wigan North Western has just passed along the phase one route from Castlefield Junction to Lowton Junction, running about 15 minutes early.  This train is booked to be a Class 350 EMU.

I'm hoping someone was out to see it to confirm it was electric, but I think this is probably the trial run we have been waiting for.

Two further runs are booked tonight:
5X90 23:51 Wigan North Western to Manchester Oxford Road
5X91 00:33 Manchester Oxford Road to Preston Carriage Sidings

UPDATE: It has been confirmed that this was a 350.  And here it is at Eccles - Picture courtesy of Network Rail:

An "invited guests" run is scheduled for Thursday daytime.