Network Rail Launches Consultation

Network Rail today launched a series of exhibitions in the Manchester area as part of a consultation exercise for their plans for the Northwest, including the electrification project, the Ordsall Chord, and the Northern Hub development.

Exhibitions will be held at the following locations:

Friday 7 October: Museum of Science & Industry 15.00 – 19.00
Saturday 8 October: Museum of Science & Industry 10.00 – 17.00
Tuesday 11 October: Salford Central Station 07.00 – 09.30, 15.00 – 19.00
Wednesday 12 October: Salford Civic Centre 14.00 – 20.00
Thursday 13 October: Eccles Station 07.00 –13.00
Friday 14 October: Manchester Victoria Station 07.00 – 09.30, 15.00 – 19.00
Saturday 15 October: Manchester Victoria Station 10.00 – 18.00
Wednesday 19 October: Manchester Piccadilly Station 07.00 – 09.30, 15.00 – 19.00
Thursday 20 October: Manchester Town Hall (foyer) 14.00 – 20.00
Friday 21 October: Arndale Centre, Manchester 10.00 – 18.00
Saturday 22 October: Arndale Centre, Manchester 10.00 – 18.00

Buckshaw Parkway Opened

New station Buckshaw Parkway located between Chorley and Euxton Junction was opened today.

Walrus Card Launched

Merseytravel have launched a smart card called Walrus which will be used for season ticket and pay-as-you-go travel in the area.

The first product to be transferred to Walrus is the annual all-zones trio ticket. Other products will gradually be added over the next two years. "Non-transport products" will also be available.

Update on our "Missing" Trains

I have received a communication from the Department for Transport in response to a query about the lack of available electric trains for Liverpool-Manchester and Liverpool-Wigan services in 2014.

They say that "... it was assumed that Class 319s would be cascaded from Thameslink to operate the service. Whilst that still may be the case, it has emerged that vehicles from other sources could be available too."

They don't go on to explain what those sources are.

First Stage Completed

Network Rail are trumpeting the completion of the first stage of the Electrification project: £3 million has been spent on rebuilding three bridges between Eccles and Patricroft, ready for the installation of overhead wires "next year".