Liverpool and Manchester

Liverpool and Manchester - 7th & 8th March 2024

On the 7th and 8th March I embarked on a two day trip to explore both Liverpool and Manchester using rail travel, rover tickets from the perspective of both a rail interest and tourist. The trip itself was planned in January taking advantage of the UK Rail Sale which provided thousands of rail tickets at discount prices across the UK, this coincided with a Travelodge sale which provided cheaper accommodation for a one night stay. The aim of the trip was to explore the unique Merseyrail Network, Manchester Metrolink and explore both cites starting with a drive to Stafford to start the trip.
Ticketing for the trip is listed below:
Stafford: Two Days Parking £25
Stafford - Liverpool Lime Street: £5
Merseyrail Day Saver: £5.95
Liverpool - Manchester Piccadilly: £2.38
Tavelodge with Breakfast: £46
Manchester Metrolink Zone One: £4.90
Greater Manchester Wayfarer: £16.20
Manchester Piccadilly - Stafford: £19

The first day of the trip involved a drive to Stafford, where we picked up a London North Western service operating between Birmingham New Street to Liverpool Lime Street. Arrival into Liverpool allowed us enter the Merseyrail network using the Merseyrail Day Saver ticket. The ticket was used to travel out to the new Headbolt Lane station returning into Liverpool by visiting Sandhills, Bank Hall. After a tourist trip on the Mersey in the afternoon we made a visit to Birkenhead, and Bidston before returning to Liverpool to catch an evening Transpennine service through to Manchester Piccadilly.

GBRf Class 66/7 No.66777 is pictured at Stafford on the 7th March 2024 paused waiting the road north while operating 4H88 08:13 Hams Hall - Hindlow.

Freightliner Class 66/5 No.66503 provides a tow for Class 70 No.70007 south through Stafford on the 7th March 2024 operating 4O49 09:23 Crewe Basford Hall - Southampton Maritime.

Avanti Pendolino Class 390s arrive in parallel into Stafford Station on the 7th March 2024. No.390008 arrives operating 9P47 07:16 London Euston - Blackpool North, while No.390001 follows with 1H63 08:33 London Euston - Manchester Piccadilly.

London North Western Railway Class 730 No.730210 is pictured at Stafford on the 7th March 2024. The unit was operating 2Q21 09:24 Crewe - Nuneaton on test.

Liverpool

The face of the new Merseyrail Network in Liverpool is changing with the introduction of the new Stadler Class 777 units on the metro system. The former Class 507 and 508 built by British Rail Engineering Ltd (BREL) are now being phased out. Battery technology is also playing its part in allowing the Class 777 units to operate between Kirkby and the new Headbolt Lane station.

Merseyrail Class 777 No.777036 arrives into Liverpool Lime Street on the 7th March 2024 operating 2W18 10:51 West Kirby - West Kirby.

Merseyrail Class 507 No.507021 arrives into Liverpool Lime Street on the 7th March 2024 operating 2W19 11:24 Birkenhead North - West Kirby.

Merseyrail Stadler Class 777 No.777148 is pictured at Headbolt Lane on the 7th March 2024.The unit is pictured having arrived with the 11:50 Liverpool Central - Headbolt Lane service.

Merseyrail Class 777 No.777142 arrives into Headbolt Lane on the 7th March 2024 operating 2K25 12:35 Liverpool Central - Headbolt Lane stopping service.

Merseyrail Stadler Class 777 units are pictured at Sandhills on the 7th March 2024. No.777023 (left) operating 2S29 13:09 Liverpool South Parkway - Southport, No.777003 (right) 2G46 13:31 Sandhills - Liverpool Central.

Merseyrail Stadler Class 777 No.777142 arrives into Sandhills on the 7th march 2024 operating 2K29 13:35 Liverpool Central - Headbolt Lane.

Merseyrail Class 777 No.777142 departs from Sandhills on the 7th March 2024 operating 2F20 13:26 Headbolt Lane - Liverpool Central.

Merseyrail Class 507 No.507023 and No.507017 departs from Bank Hall on the 7th March 2024 operating 2U31 13:12 Southport - Hunts Cross. In the background is the former 'The Royal' pub showing the local urban decay of a former impressive building.

Merseyrail Class 777 No.777150 passes Kirkdale Depot on the 7th March 2024 operating 2F31 13:41 Headbolt Lane - Liverpool Central.

Merseyrail Class 777 No.777148 passes Kirkby on the 7th March 2024 operating 2K30 13:50 Liverpool Central - Headbolt Lane.

Merseyrail Class 777 diverges and arrives into Bank Hall on the 7th March 2024 operating 2S31 13:36 Hunts Cross - Southport service.

Merseyrail Class 507 No.507016 and No.507010 arrives into Bank Hall on the 7th March 2024 operating 2S32 13:51 Hunts Cross - Southport.

Merseyrail Class 777 No.777026 arrives into Birkenhead North on the 7th March 2024 operating 2W39 16:06 West Kirby - West Kirby service.

Merseyrail Class 507 No.50729 arrives into Birkenhead North on the 7th March 2024 operating 2N39 15:53 New Brighton - New Brighton.

Merseyrail Stadler Class 777 No.777012 arrives into Bidston on the 7th March 2024 operating 2W31 16:36 West Kirby - West Kirby via Liverpool Central.

Merseyrail Class 777 No.777026 is pictured at Bidston on the 7th March 2024 operating 2W39 16:06 West Kirby - West Kirby via Liverpool Central.

Transport for Wales (TFL) Class 197 No.197049 is pictured having arrived into Bidston on the 7th March 2024 from Wrexham General. The unit then formed the 17:06 Biston - Wrexham General.

Northern CAF Class 331 No.331030 is pictured at Liverpool Lime Street on the 7th March 2024 having arrived as 2C24 17:21 Liverpool Lime Street - Newcastle.

Transpennine Express No.802205 is pictured at Liverpool Lime Street on the 7th March 2024 ready to depart with 1P39 18:54 Liverpool Lime Street - Newcastle.

East Midlands Trains Class 158s No.158863 and No.158770 are pictured at Liverpool Lime Street on the 7th March 2024 ready to depart with 1L18 18:49 Liverpool Lime Street - Nottingham.

Manchester, Stockport, Heaton Chapel, Salford Crescent, Deansgate

For images of Manchester Metrolink images please see the following link: Manchester Metrolink

Transport for Wales CAF Class 197 No.197101 departs from Manchester Piccadilly on the 8th March 2024 operating 1H83 07:43 Llandudno - Manchester Airport.

Avanti West Coast Class 390 No.390137 is pictured at Manchester Piccadilly on the 8th March 2024 waiting to return to London Euston.

Northern CAF Class 195 No.195128 departs from Manchester Piccadilly on the 7th March 2024 operating 1Y93 07:48 Barrow in Furness - Manchester Airport.

Northern units make a due departure from Manchester Picadilly on the 8th March 2024. On the left CAF built No.331027 departs as 5Z85 10:10 Manchester Piccadilly - Allerton empty stock, on the right Class 323 No.323231 departs operating 2K31 10:01 Manchester Piccadilly - Crewe stopping service.

Transpennine Class 185 No.185113 and No.185123 depart from Manchester Piccadilly on the 8th March 2024 operating 1B72 09:19 Liverpool Lime Street - Cleethorpes

Northern CAF Class 331 No.331024 arrives into Stockport on the 8th March 2024 operating 2H85 09:55 Stoke on Trent - Manchester Piccadilly.

Former Colas Rail Freight (now operated by GBRf) Class 60 No.60076 grumbles to a stop at Stockport on the 8th March 2024.The loco was operating 6E09 07:26 Liverpool Biomas - Drax 'Biomass'.

Northern Class 331 No.331015 arrives into Stockport on the 8th March 2024 operating 2K10 10:46 Manchester Piccadilly - Stoke on Trent. Following behind EMR Class 170s No.170202 and No.170201 operating 1L09 09:51 Liverpool Lime Street - Norwich service.

Avanti West Coast Class 390 No.390006 arrives into Stockport on the 8th March 2024 operating 1H08 08:53 London Euston - Manchester Piccadilly.

Avanti West Coast Class 390 No.390010 arrives into Stockport on the 8th March 2024 operating 1A29 10:55 Manchester Piccadilly - London Euston, overtaking No.156461 operating 1B18 10:52 Manchester Piccadilly - Buxton.

Transport for Wales CAF No.197107 departs from Stockport on the 8th March 2024 operating 1W54 05:45 Carmarthen - Manchester Piccadilly.

Northern Class 150/1 No.150118 arrives into Stockport on the 8th March 2024 operating the 11:10 Manchester Piccadilly - Chester service.

Northern Class 323 No.323225 departs from Heaton Chapel on the 8th March 2024 operating 2H45 10:46 Crewe - Manchester Piccadilly.

Northern Class 156 No.156405 arrives into Heaton Chapel on the 7th March 2024 operating 2B21 10:46 Buxton - Manchester Piccadilly.

Avanti West Coast 'Pride' Pendolino Class 390 No.390119 passes Heaton Chapel on the 8th March 2024 operating 1H64 09:33 London Euston - Manchester Piccadilly, heading in the opposite direction is No.1A33 11:35 Manchester Piccadilly - London Euston.

Northern CAF Class 331 No.331011 arrives into Heaton Chapel on the 8th March 2024 operating 2K85 11:38 Manchester Piccadilly - Alderney Edge.

East Midlands Trains Class 158s No.158864 and No.158866 arrive into Heaton Chapel on the 8th March 2024 operating 1L10 10:51 Liverpool Lime Street - Norwich.

Northern Class 331 No.331012 arrives into Heaton Chapel on the 8th March 2024 operating 2H25 11:33 Alderley Edge - Manchester Piccadilly.

Avanti West Coast Class 390 No.390131 belts through the centre road at Heaton Chapel on the 8th March 2024 operating 1H12 09:53 London Euston - Manchester Piccadilly. Departing south at the same time No.150143 departs with 2B22 11:51 Manchester Piccadilly - Buxton.

DB Cargo Class 67 No.67025 passes north through Heaton Chapel on the 8th March 2023 operating 1W55 08:49 Cardiff Central - Manchester Piccadilly.

Having used the new Ordsal Curve link, Transpennine Express Class 185 No.185115 arrives into Manchester Piccadilly on the 8th March 2024 operating 1P68 09:51 Saltburn - Manchester Airport

Transpennine Class 397 No.397010 passes through Salford Crescent on the 8th March 2024 operating 1M85 10:11 Edinburgh - Manchester Airport.

Northern Class 150/1 units No.150144 and No.150105 arrive into Salford Crescent on the 88th March 2024 operating 2J23 12:23 Clitheroe - Rochdale.

DB Cargo Class 66 No.66059 rounds the curve into Salford Crescent on the 8th March 2024 operating 6M16 05:40 Wilton EFW - Knowsley 'binliner'

Northern Class 331 No.331112 departs from Deansgate on the 8th March 2024 operating 1N67 14:17 Manchester Airport - Blackpool North.

Transpennine Class 185 units No.185107 and No.185139 depart from Deansgate on the 8th March 2024 operating 1B78 Cleethorpes - Liverpool Lime Street.

Transpennine Class 397 No.397010 passes Deansgate on the 8th March 2024 operating 1S66 14:04 Manchester Airport - Edinburgh.

Northern CAF Class 331 No.331104 arrives into Deansgate on the 8th March 2024 operating 1N68 14:17 Manchester Airport - Blackpool North.

Transport for Wales CAF No.197043 is pictured at Manchester Oxford Road on the 8th March 2024 operating 1D39 14:25 Manchester Airport - Llandudno.

Former West Midlands Railway Class 323 No.323220 arrives into Manchester Oxford Road on the 8th March 2024 operating 2A18 14:00 Liverpool Lime Street - Manchester Airport, now having transferred to Northern Trains.

GBRf Class 66/7 No.66781 passes through Stafford on the 8th March 2024 operating 4M22 10:26 Felixstowe - Trafford Park containers.

Freightliner Class 66/4 No.66420 passes through Stafford on the 8th March 2024 operating 6K50 15:12 Toton Yard - Basford Hall engineers consisting of a loaded CWR set.