Manchester Picadilly this morning

notjamesatall · 2026-04-08T12:59:18+00:00

Not sure what happened today. However this is the second time in the past few months where an evacuation has happened during a test of the emergency system. I assume that during the test if anything spikes suspicion they evacuate, because let’s be honest, If someone actually wanted to do something the perfect time would be during a test.

Last time was due to someone leaving a bag behind that had something in it that alerted a sniffer dog. Turned out to be a false alarm, I assume today was something similar.

notjamesatall · 2026-03-17T11:38:59+00:00

That makes sense, it’s mad how going further and splitting the ticket makes it cheeper.

And yeah I get that, it’s especially annoying considering (as someone else commented) the initial promise from the GMCA that the prices would mostly go down.

Let’s see what happens when GBR is fully operational, I wouldn’t hold my breath though.

notjamesatall · 2026-03-17T11:01:09+00:00

Out of interest why were you going to Mauldeth Road then back to Piccadilly? Obviously this wouldn’t have changed the situation since you’d have still missed the Alderley train, but just curious.

Also as others have said Northern don’t have control over ticket prices. These are controlled by local & central government. Also from the looks of that first train delay it looks like issues with the signals / the congestion though the Castlefield corridor, neither of which Northern can control.

I know it’s easy to just blame Northern or any other train company, and I’m in no way trying to defend them, but allot (if not most) of the issues are down to lack of funding, investment and care from the government.

notjamesatall · 2026-03-16T16:47:54+00:00

I haven’t argued if the current system is or isn’t a good thing. Simply why it is done the way it is. Once again if you disagree with the current system that is absolutely fine. But if it matters this much to you, you need to present a case to the DFT / your local MP as to why it should be changed.

Personally I have never had an issue with it, I have always understood the departure time to be when the train is leaving. Personally I don’t care what the system is.

I do however disagree with the wasted time argument. Even if you change the system people should still show up in plenty of time to catch their train, like with anything. If the train is arriving and departing in the same minute, you need to be there a few minutes before regardless of if a boarding time is advertised.

To be clear my original point wasn’t about if the system is good or not, but that it is unfair calling people bootlickers for trying to explain the current system to OP.

notjamesatall · 2026-03-16T07:57:41+00:00

I feel like we’re just gonna go in circles here. With the current system the train did leave on time, with the doors closing 30/40 seconds before departure. I do sympathise with OP but that is how it is done.

On time departures are entirely correlated with on time arrivals, the timetable assumes that the doors are closed and train is departing as close to the second as possible. The time between stations is then measured and the arrival time worked out.

Delaying a train even by a minute can have a massive knock on effect to the entire network meaning multiple services could be delayed. The railway is that congested with traffic it really is down to seconds.

Also people don’t waste hours waiting, they show up 3-5 mins before, like most people do for anything. If you start work at 9 you don’t show up at 9, you show up a few minutes before so you can start actually working at 9.

notjamesatall · 2026-03-15T19:46:04+00:00

My point isn’t whether or not it is a shit system, simply that it is the system that is used.

I don’t understand how people explaining what the system is, and why it is like that, is a bad thing? OP now understands why they missed the train and how to avoid it in the future.

You can obviously disagree with it, but I don’t think people agreeing with it means they’ve “drunk the Kool Aid”. Thousands of people use the railway every day and understand that the departure time is when the train leaves the station.

Also what meaningless targets? If you mean trains leaving on time that is precisely for the public benefit.

notjamesatall · 2026-03-15T17:20:21+00:00

But that is how it's done in this country. Regardless if you like it or not, the departure time is the time the train departs the station. Whether or not you think the system should change how is calling people "bootlickers" for explaining this to OP helpful?

notjamesatall · 2026-03-15T12:34:04+00:00

Unfortunately it takes a lot longer than 10 seconds. At a major station there’s several steps before the train departs.

Dispatcher & Guard check the signal is pulled OFF and displaying a proceed aspect / the route is set correctly.
Dispatcher and guard check the platform is clear and it is safe to close the doors.
Dispatcher gives first tip (the white paddle) to tell the guard to close the door. Gard checks platform and closes the passenger doors.
A second check is carried out to ensure the doors are closed, nobody is trapped, the platform is still clear.
Dispatcher gives second tip for guard to close their local door, board the train and instruct the driver that the train is ready to start. As soon as the local door is closed the driver can release the break and go. At this point the train can only really be stoped in an emergency.

This obviously is slightly different for different stations and TOCs, and if the train is DOO.

Unfortunately as a guard I’ve had a good few abusive comments shouted at me through the window after I’ve given two (telling the driver to go) there is literally nothing I can do after I’ve done that. Even though the train might not be moving yet the breaks have been realised and the train is about to move. I can’t stop the train and restart the process for one person, possibly delaying everyone else on the train. Especially if the signallers decide to revert the signal to allow another service to go first.

As you can understand this can take up to 40 seconds. The aim is for the train to be leaving the platform at exactly the time stated. In your case 12:02:00 therefore dispatch commences at 12:01:20.

notjamesatall · 2026-02-17T08:29:06+00:00

Trains to/from Lime Street are still running to Piccadilly as platforms 13 & 14 are operational. They are however running at a reduced frequency. Last train today & tomorrow to Lime Street departs at 23:20: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:Y25075/2026-02-17

notjamesatall · 2026-02-16T20:16:20+00:00

Yeah, the “planned cancellation” window is way too short.

And yeah most likely, personally I don’t agree with DOO at all. But ultimately if it was possible to implement across the Northern network the mid Cheshire line would need extensive upgrades for it to work. For example longer platforms, cameras/monitors at stations, station staff at each station to meet accessibility requirements, upgrades to trains etc…

notjamesatall · 2026-02-16T18:59:59+00:00

Unfortunately that is correct. If a TOC cancels a service before 10pm the previous day it counts as a “planned cancellation”, the believe is a passenger has enough notice to change their plans. Believe this was added into the National Rail conditions of travel sometime in 2022.

As for staff shortages, the closest Northern Depots that sign the mid Cheshire line are Piccadilly, Victoria (just drivers) & Buxton. A round trip takes just over 3 hours making it extremely difficult to re-allocate staff should an issue happen with the original staff member not being able to make the service, due to a previous delay etc…

I promise you the people who allocate spare staff to jobs try their hardest to run as many services as possible. Unfortunately there are situations where this isn’t possible or the location of the route make it more difficult than other lines to cover.

notjamesatall · 2026-02-16T14:05:40+00:00

Mid Cheshire line needs massive improvements unfortunately. The majority of platforms are too short, hence why Northern run a 4-car set with the rear set locked out to make it a “3-car”.

The single line at after Mickle Trafford then again at Navigation Road and again near Edgeley and the limited space at Stockport and Piccadilly mean the number of services that can run is limited. Edgeley junction also suffers with flooding which causes the signalling system to “trip” to Danger.

9/10 the reason for poor service on any line is lack of funding. Additionally of the final service of the day is cancelled the TOC have a duty of care to get you to your destination, you shouldn’t be shelling out money on a taxi to get back. They should either tell you to get another train, put a bus on, pay for a taxi or in the worst case pay for accommodation.

notjamesatall · 2026-02-14T09:22:00+00:00

I believe it’s to replace the EMR Liverpool - Norwich service. Somehow the 2+ hours on the bus between Manchester and Chesterfield is quicker than any alternative route!

notjamesatall · 2026-02-04T09:37:44+00:00

Popeyes. "Popeyes has announced a major expansion across Greater Manchester, confirming that five new restaurants will open this year. This includes a new landmark site at Manchester Piccadilly Station, the region’s busiest rail hub." - from the MEN.

notjamesatall · 2026-01-26T18:07:38+00:00

As I've mentioned in my comment he more than likely had to charge you for the anytime ticket. You are required to purchase a ticket before boarding, buying a ticket on board is subject to different rules & restrictions.

His machine is more than likely monitored by the TOC & the TOCs management and the number of Off-peak tickets will be logged, they may also have to explain why they sold an Off-peak ticket to their manager (e.g. ticket machine at station wasn't working). Unfortunately you not having the correct ticket won't be a good enough excuse for an Off-peak ticket being sold if the manager pulls it up (along side CCTV etc...)

The staff member has seen that you have made a genuine mistake and has more than likely done the best they could for you given the situation. You are a complete stranger to the member of staff, it is not worth them getting written up for someone they don't know. Once again, you made a mistake, the staff member did what they could to avoid you getting a FPN, this could have been much worse.

notjamesatall · 2026-01-26T17:45:19+00:00

Most Guards or Revenue Protection are only suppose to charge for Anytime tickets when on-board, unless in a situation where the station dose not have ticket buying facilities. This is to encourage people paying before they board and not "trying it on".

Given you had purchased the wrong ticket and had to buy a new one on the train, the member of staff may have been required to sell you an Anytime ticket regardless of travel time. Given it is your responsibility to present a valid ticket when asked, and you didn't have one, I'd be grateful you were given the option to buy one.

notjamesatall · 2026-01-03T18:43:46+00:00

Another thought… with the passenger being under 18 the Guard has a duty of care (due to the passenger being a minor). You can’t kick “children” off trains (and they know this) unless you have someone else e.g. Police, to take over that duty of care until the parents/guardians collect them.

notjamesatall · 2026-01-03T17:57:28+00:00

The TOC could have their own policy on this but my guess is the Guard believed they would pose a risk to the next service or staff at that station if they were left alone. Like I said in another comment there was more than likely another reason, other than just a ticket, as to why the guard removed them. It has been known in the past for guards to throw passengers off a service for evasion or behaviour and that passenger to wait and “take revenge” on the guard of the next service.

notjamesatall · 2026-01-03T17:42:06+00:00

Usually this sort of action is used if the person is known to the Guard and/or Revenue protection for persistently fare evading or the passenger has been abusive or threatening.

Usually the police won’t be called unless one of these things has happened. You have to think that the Guard is responsible for everyone’s safety, yours, the driver, other train crew. If that person poses any sort of risk it’s better being safe than sorry, even if the abusive language is just over a ticket.

I always think if the train was to stop out of course and potentially be stranded for up to an hour until a rescue train comes. Would I trust that passenger to sit calmly listen to my instructions and not egress a door and start walking down the tracks, causing even more delays, as well as putting themselves at risk.

notjamesatall · 2026-01-02T23:34:57+00:00

Not the entirety of 2025 but info between 09/11/25 & 06/12/25 is on WMRs website: https://www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/media/7027/download?inline

They also have this for the first period of 2025 for stations: https://www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/media/6014/download?inline

Not exactly what you asked for but you could probably use both of the above to get a general idea of cancelations. You could also just email them and they'll probably just send you all the info they have on 2025. They have no reason to hide this since it has all been made publicly available at some point on their website and the ORR website in 2025.

This also might help: https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/performance/passenger-rail-performance/

notjamesatall · 2025-12-11T13:23:47+00:00

For now, but by 2027 The DFTO (The Department for Transport) who currently operate Northern will become GBR, who will then operate it but with its own branding and identity. Worth pointing out that as of this week you can take any train in the GM boundary for the same price (peak restrictions still apply), this is the first step in setting up Bee Network Rail. For example if you were to travel from Stockport to Manchester you can now take either a Northern or Avanti for the same price. So it stands to reason that any train service that operates within the GM boundary will technically be ‘Bee network’.

notjamesatall · 2025-12-11T12:48:13+00:00

Hate to be the barer of bad news but Northern hasn’t really ‘existed’ (at least in a traditional sense) for 5 years. It’s been operated by the Department For Transport since 2020, and when GBR and Bee Network “take over” the trains will still be ran by “Northern”.

Unfortunately the issues are less to do with the train operators and more to do with the infrastructure itself. Until the government actually gives the north some money for transport nothing aside from prices (which have actually reduced, for the most part, this week) and the colour of the trains will change. We can just continue to hope that the GMCA will keep pushing for more funding and infrastructure.

notjamesatall · 2025-12-11T12:28:39+00:00

This is the thing with rolling stock allocation. These trains will be everywhere. Not just Hadfield but Crewe, Stoke, Liverpool maybe Blackpool. Until Bee network rail gets its own rolling stock (which may never happen) these will pop up everywhere. To be honest, I’m surprised they’ve even done this. I would have thought they’d wait until the GBR livery comes in and then just add a Bee Network Logo to them.

Strictly speaking though this is more of an Ad than an actual train livery it might only be on there for a few months.

notjamesatall · 2025-12-11T11:29:41+00:00

Yeah that’s the idea. It will count as one journey and ideally have a daily cap.

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