NorthernRailways.co.uk

There's no prohibition on the line through Blackburn where 142s are prevalent, but they're explicitly banned from the line between Daisyfield Jn and Hellifield.

I heard that a 153 made it to Wallgate a few years ago, but I was under the impression that the whole job was up the wall on that day.

I'd expect that disruption had been the case if a 153 ended up on a diagram that could take it into Wallgate, however no matter what's gone wrong we can't take stock onto banned sections of line - the driver in the Wallgate incident should have known his routes and I suggest should have arranged with the signaller at Bank Quay to take the 153 into North Western where they're permitted.

Why are 153's banned from Wallgate?

153s and 155s (same thing as far as gauging purposes go) are prohibited because the body-side steps under the doors foul the platform coping stones. These steps cause problems and every now and again we hear of new incidents at other locations where the steps on these units have struck the platform edges, there are also places where these units ar normally cleared but if their secondary air suspension is isolated they're prohibited. IIRC MkIII stock is restricted/prohibited through Wallgate too, also class 175, 180, 185, 220 & 221.

On the flip side 158s are banned from Knottingley England Lane to Goole Potters Grange Jcn. But pacers are encouraged

I should point out that when the 155s were withdrawn in 1989 pending door mods, they were all sent to Steamtown Southport for the modification work to be carried out so no doubt they would've gone through Wallgate to reach Southport...unless that rule doesn't apply to ECS movements?

Just as well 153s are banned through Wallgate as the Southport line services do get rather cosy at times even with a single 2-car unit.

If it counts for anything, 158s are cleared for Wallgate as well.

I know that 158s are cleared for Wigan Wallgate as when First Nortwestern had the franchise there was one day that one of the ex Central Trains 158s (still in green Central Trains livery) was on a Wigan Wallgate via Bolton diagram

As for 153/155s being banned from Wigan Wallgate this is true althoug a couple of years ago one did appear in Rochdale on a service to Wigan Wallgate and when I mentioned it to platform staff at Rochdale that it was seeing one on that service they reliably informed me that it was going to be swapped at Victoria due them being banned from Wigan Wallgate


Andrew

They could have run the 153 to Wigan but only if it ran into North Western

Restrictions on passenger stock normally apply whether in service or ECS. When the 155s were sent to Steamtown they could well have gone through Wallgate - perhaps the restrictions weren't in place then, the track alignment may have given more generous clearances etc or they could have used the through lines rather than the platform lines. It's also possible they could have gone via Bootle.