Merseyside, Chester & North Wales
Local railway activity and photographs
Almost all regular passenger services in the area are now operated by multiple units. Class 57/3 is used to haul Pendolinos between Crewe &
Holyhead - and the class is also used when WCML services are diverted due to
engineering work. The latest type of dmu to work into this area is Class
185, used on Trans-Pennine Express services to & from Liverpool Lime Street.
Other dmu classes used in the Branch area are Class 175 (Arriva Trains
Wales), 158 (Arriva & East Midland), 156 (Northern), 153 (Arriva), 150
(Arriva, Northern), 142 (Northern) and 221 (Virgin & Cross Country). Emu
classes seen are Class 350 (London Midland), 390 (Virgin) and 507 / 508
(Merseyrail Electric)
Freight services in the area are operated by DRS, EWS and Freightliner. Details of booked services on the WCML and North Wales appear in the well-known "Freightmaster" book, and an on-line version thereof. The majority of diesel-hauled freight services are worked by Class 66, but Classes 37, 60 & 67 also appear regularly. Classes 86, 90 & 92 work electrically hauled freights on the WCML, including some services to & from Garston.
In the Liverpool area, the curve from Olive Mount Junction to Edge Lane
Junction is scheduled to be reinstated during 2008, allowing some freight
trains to and from the docks to avoid reversal at Edge Hill.
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| The newly rebuilt St. Helens Central station nears completion on 4 September 2007 and should open shortly. The 1960's building (near right) will then be demolished. 156.441 is in the westbound platform with a service to Liverpool Lime Street Photo by Bevan Price |
45407 at Huyton with the "Bowring Centenarian" special on 10 June 2007, Photo by Bevan Price |
6233 at Thatto Heath with a Liverpool - Carlisle special on 7 July 2007., Photo by Bevan Price |
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47802 with 507.015 and 507.013 at Bidston with a Crewe - Birkenhead North stock working on 3 September 2007. The Class 507's had been receiving attention on the wheel lathe at Crewe. Photo by Bevan Price |
47245 between Formby & Freshfield with an inspection saloon on 19 July 2007, Photo by Bevan Price |
57313 at Warrington Bank Quay on with the Chirk - Carlisle empty timber wagons , Photo by Richard Neale |
90045 at Warrington Bank Quay on 11 September 2007 with a Coatbridge - Crewe Basford Hall Freightliner, Photo by Richard Neale |
92019 at Winwick on 22 August 2007 with NACCO china clay tanks, on the first day of operation of a new service from Dollands Moor to Mossend. Photo by Bevan Price |
158.810 at Liverpool Lime Street on 22 August 2007 with the 10:52 to Norwich, Photo by Richard Neale |
150.272 at Lea Green on 23 August 2007 with a Liverpool Lime St - Warrington Bank Quay local service. Photo by Bevan Pice |
66605 at Beechwood (Runcorn) on the line from Frodsham Junction to Halton Junction on 27 August 2007. The train was a diverted coal service from Ellesmere Port to Fiddlers Ferry Power Station |
66070 at Earlestown on 8 June 2007 with a Warrington - Seaforth "steel" service. Photo by Bevan Pice |
350126 at Crewe with the 12.37 Liverpool Lime Street - Birmingham New Street on 19 April 2008. Photo by Richard Neale |
Lakeside Miniature Railway No. 3 at Southport on 8 September 2007. The steam outline conceals an internal combustion engine, Photo by Bevan Price |
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| 37422 and 37406 pass through Crewe on 27 April 2007 with an EWS Warrington Arpley - Bescot empty ballast working. Photo by Richard Neale |
Replica Heywood locos Katie & Effie on the Eaton Hall Railway during an Open Day on August 4th. Geoff Morris |
Pannier tank 6430 sandwiched between auto coaches 163 & 167 passes Garth Y Dwr during the Llangollen Railway's autumn gala on September 15th. Geoff Morris |
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 Standard class 4 76079 approaches Penhelig on August 27th with the summer Machynlleth - Porthmadog service operated by the West Coast Railway Company. Geoff Morris |
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 Talyllyn locos No.1 (Talyllyn) & No.2 (Dolgoch) stand in the yard at Towyn Pendre during a Branch outdoor fixture on July 7th. Geoff Morris |
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60074 on the Anglesey Aluminium - Warrington service on 6 October 2007 David Lindsay
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