Pendolino – Fr Paul Harrison' Blog.

The journey to Lourdes begins

I am joining the Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. This began on Friday 26th July. However, as it was an early flight (8am from Manchester Airport) I decided the travel down by train the night before. This proved a little eventful that I planned.

I was due on the 14.50 direct service from Penrith to Manchester Airport. I wasn’t looking forward to this as my off peak ticket didnt have a seat reservation, and the Transpennine express trains are notorious for being crowded. Anyway a late running Virgin trains service and I boarded that, and there were plenty of seats. However we were held for some 25 minutes or so as there were “overhead wire problems ahead”. Thankfully after 25 mins we were on our way. I also noted that my original train had been cancelled.

All this meant I had to change in Preston. The first two trains to the airport were full and standing, but I noticed an empty Tranpennine express train roll into platform 5, I took mu chances with that.

P1490278 — My train from Preston to Manchester Airport.

Whilst waiting for the above train there was a short but very intense thunderstorm, with some spectaculat ligthning. My patience paid off, the train was half empty. There was a very slow journey through Manchester, which meant a 30 minute late arrival at the airport. All in all a bit frustrating at times. On the other hand, it was the hottest day of the year: the air con worked on the trains and I did get a seat!

Day 2 – a trip to Scotland

My day began at Crewe and I was booked on the 9.09am service from Crewe to Edinburgh. Whilst waiting on platform 11 I saw that the rails had been made in Workington. A sad testament to a lost industry for the town. In days gone by, Workington was a world leader in the rail production. I am told the rails in Workington can be found all over the world. In the photo below, you should be able to make out the Workington stamp.

The journey to Edinburgh was largely uneventful apart from one thing: I was able to chat via facebook, to my brother who is in Kathmandu!. He was on a trekking holiday to Everest Base camp, sadly he did not get there as he got some kind of viral infection, and one cannot be ill at over 6000m. Still it passed some time.

On arrival in Edinburgh, I wanted to get to Glasgow Queen Street. I had to book a ticket, but nearly all the ticket machines were not working. Eventually I got a ticket and took the 13.00 to Queen St on the new 385 electric trains, they are fast if a little bumpy at times. Below is a photo of my train from Edinburgh.

The journey back to Crewe involved the 14.40 to Preston, then the 17.17 from Preston to Crewe. The latter was quite full even in first class. At Wigan we went to a different platform, overtook the train I had left at Preston and went on the slow line to Warrington. Not too sure what was going on. Anyway, another good train on the trains.

My November holiday begins

I am having the last of my holidays, and yes there are trains involved!. Today had been arranged at the last minute so I had to make the best of the cheap fares I could find, especially I am based in Crewe – again. My first trip was from Crewe to Manchester Piccadilly. Whilst waiting for the train, the 8.30 from Euston to Glasgow passed through, I made it in one hour 26 mins non stop, rather impressive.

From Manchester I was booked on the 11.22 Trans Pennine express to Carlisle. It eventually goes to Glasgow. The Platform was heaving with passengers, but surprsingly, the train was almost empty when it pulled in. Despite have a first class ticket, I had a poor seat, hardly any window view. The lady opposite was very pleasant and lovely to chat with. The photo below is that train departing from Carlisle.

The final part of my journey was from Carlisle back to Crewe. The weather had been dull, but had cleared up by mid afternoon. In fact it was a little misty in parts. On leaving Warrington I actually saw as ship on the Manchester Ship canal – a first for me.

September Holiday Preston to Edinburgh

Today I began my next series of rail journies. This was really just to get me from Preston to Edinburgh as indicated above. I was booked on the 11.53 from Preston to Edinburgh Waverley. Whilst waiting I saw one of the new – well old trains coming to our part of the world. This electric train is a hand me down from another company. Having said that they are in good order.

My train arrived and departed on time. I had booked a cheap first class advance ticket. So had a bacon roll and plenty of coffee. The journey itself was uneventful and the train actually arrived on time!

IMGP3555 — My train arriving in Preston.

An eventful day off

P1490003 — My train from Carlisle to Glasgow arrives

Today, I had booked a train journey from Workington to Glasgow. It partly to do something different for my day off and partly to try out e ticketing – I had downloaded the tickets to my mobile phone via the Virgin Trains app.

Having arrived in Glasgow and the weather being sunny and warm, I decided to eat al fresco. However that was soon scuppered as the play I chose was very busy, I was told that it would be a 10 minute wait before my order could be take. I went elsewhere.

Later, on arriving back at Glasgow Central, I saw my train back to Carlisle was delayed, then cancelled – trouble around Lancaster I gather. I had to wait for the delayed 1600 to Carlisle. There was a massive queue for this – two train loads trying to get on. Eventually, it was decided that the train was too full, so the barriers went up. I had another wait, this time for the delayed 16.40. Not only did I get on this, but, to my surprise, I got a seat!. Once onboard, the journey back was uneventful.

Pentecost break – Day 1 Workington to Crewe

Today I began a short break. I have a senior railcard and I make full use of it. Today I began with a journey from Workington to Crewe. I began with the 13.56 Northern service from Workington to Carlisle. This was part of new improved Sunday service for the Cumbia Coast Line. This train had run from Barrow in Furness. I believe its the first Sunday service since 1976,

IMGP3449 — This is a Class 156 unit which took me to Carlisle

On arrival in Carlisle I had a short wait for the 15.05 service to Crewe. This train was actually very quiet – until Preston. For £15 I was able to upgrade my standard class ticket to First Class. I was the only one in my first class coach until Preston!

IMGP3450 — A pendolino waiting in Carlisle station – not my train though.