New Timetable
The new timetable, from Sunday 04 October, has introduced some more electric workings. On Mondays to Saturdays almost all Liverpool/Blackpool services are cut back to Preston and operated by 319s, requiring a further three units in operation. The extension of most of these services to Liverpool South Parkway still applies, so we have gained regular 319 operation in passenger service there as well.
Here we see 319369 basking in the autumn sunshine at South Parkway, having arrived from Preston via Lime Street and waiting to form the 11:03 return service.
On the other hand, the Liverpool/Warrington Bank Quay services remain mainly diesel operated, although I think the 17.50 off Lime Street and 18.52 return might now be electric.
Farnworth Tunnel
Fillie continues her slow progress under Farnworth. The timetable database currently shows normal trains along this line from Monday 14 December, but I'm not sure how much weight we can give to that information.
Contractors
Unless I've missed it, we still haven't had a formal announcement of which company or companies are to take over from Balfour Beatty and undertake the remaining parts of the project.
