22-JUN-2015
Well the day got off to a very bad start, but that is not unexpected from our Friends at Trans Pennine Stopper...they can hardly be called expresses!
The Class 185 arrived a little late, was short formed, had no reservations issued, was standing in First class, and was badly delayed into Manchester Piccadilly where gladly we left the train to wend its weary way to Liverpool. Standing in the vestibule next to the loo is NOT First class whatever TPEx may say!
Still we were just in front of our next train so we made the connection. TPEx 3/10 for turning up
22-JUN-2015
Thankfully our next train , the Blackpool bound train from the airport was quiet and we relaxed into the luxury of our first class suite to enjoy being wined and dined by the steward.....who I must state was extremely helpful and chatty. The coffee and biscuit were accepted with good grace!
On time arrival at our next intermediary stop...Preston. TPE get 7/10 for this leg of the journey
22-JUN-2015
The weather was not so good but brighter times were forecast for the planned trip round the Cumbrian coast.
That strange bloke appeared again in the images...must get the camera sensor checked out.
22-JUN-2015
We wave goodbye to TPEx and our Ranger ticket on Northern will now be our passport to the world today.
22-JUN-2015
Whilst waiting for our connection to arrive we took in the sights and sounds of preston station.
First up was the Class 57 sitting in the station one assumes for emergency use.
22-JUN-2015
Preston Station has everything you could ask for from a UK station.
A number of outlets for supply of provisions for the next two legs as we were not expecting full catering on the Northern services!
Class 150 awaits for departure to Hazel Grove, running the blockade at Bolton.
22-JUN-2015
In line with the governments spending budget, overseas aid still continues to flow to the colonies.
Here we see a shipment of provisions heading to the northern extremities of Europe..aka Scotland
How apt that the image shows "less co" as Tesco continues to shrink in the face of the Lidl Aldi assault
22-JUN-2015
Doubled up Voyager heading down south to London...rather colourful image.
They do have "button problems" in the loos apparently :-)
22-JUN-2015
The Class 37 stands well next to the Virgin Pendolino set bound for Glasgow.
We didn't rush to get seated as the station was quiet so we were expecting a relaxed spacious trip in the old Mk3 stock to Barrow......how wrong could we be!
22-JUN-2015
The top and tailed set arrives from Carlisle on time and sits idling in the platform, with plenty of exhaust to add interest!
22-JUN-2015
The DRS class 37 awaits for departure to Barrow where the plan is to switch to the second set for the onward trip round the coast.
22-JUN-2015
I quite like this version of the DRS livery
