Having a race up the WCML with a shed!
November 12, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Having a race up the WCML with a shed!
This is surprisingly small. Like the WCML long distance franchise alone is ~40 MM.
November 9, 2026 at 3:53 PM
This is surprisingly small. Like the WCML long distance franchise alone is ~40 MM.
The particular discourse also shows why we need to build HS2 (indeed should've built it 20 years ago) - the WCML is massively over capacity and so the timetabling is a bit f**ked
November 11, 2026 at 10:22 PM
The particular discourse also shows why we need to build HS2 (indeed should've built it 20 years ago) - the WCML is massively over capacity and so the timetabling is a bit f**ked
I travel up and down the WCML a lot (parents in Chester) and generally budget for about 50-60% of the advertised ticket price.
The muted cheer that goes up when the train is held outside Euston for just long enough to tip into a higher refund bracket is a lovely thing to hear.
The muted cheer that goes up when the train is held outside Euston for just long enough to tip into a higher refund bracket is a lovely thing to hear.
November 11, 2026 at 9:52 PM
I travel up and down the WCML a lot (parents in Chester) and generally budget for about 50-60% of the advertised ticket price.
The muted cheer that goes up when the train is held outside Euston for just long enough to tip into a higher refund bracket is a lovely thing to hear.
The muted cheer that goes up when the train is held outside Euston for just long enough to tip into a higher refund bracket is a lovely thing to hear.
can't really do a short trip on the WCML long distance franchise though. Avanti really is running almost exclusively very long services.
November 9, 2026 at 4:14 PM
can't really do a short trip on the WCML long distance franchise though. Avanti really is running almost exclusively very long services.
The WCML, UK’s flagship line
November 11, 2026 at 11:02 PM
The WCML, UK’s flagship line
ECML franchise is pretty close to an intercity operator, and WCML (a pure intercity franchise basically) is in fact a a pretty pure intercity operator.
November 10, 2026 at 3:32 PM
ECML franchise is pretty close to an intercity operator, and WCML (a pure intercity franchise basically) is in fact a a pretty pure intercity operator.
I remember getting the bus home from the town centre and going past the uni campus (just after going under the WCML) on the cobbled streets 🫣, think it was just about still a Poly the first time.
November 12, 2026 at 11:47 AM
I remember getting the bus home from the town centre and going past the uni campus (just after going under the WCML) on the cobbled streets 🫣, think it was just about still a Poly the first time.
If you want to go to Glasgow from Leeds you have to go that way (if you're taking the shortest route, changing onto the WCML at Preston)
Very strange vibe in that you have some fairly large towns but they feel weirdly isolated
Very strange vibe in that you have some fairly large towns but they feel weirdly isolated
November 13, 2026 at 12:30 AM
If you want to go to Glasgow from Leeds you have to go that way (if you're taking the shortest route, changing onto the WCML at Preston)
Very strange vibe in that you have some fairly large towns but they feel weirdly isolated
Very strange vibe in that you have some fairly large towns but they feel weirdly isolated
Similar for me a lot of days. I knew immediately WCML from the length of the walk at the start today - a shorter one usually means ECML. No walk can mean all sorts of options from the Midlands and East Anglia down to the south coast and Kent! 😅
November 13, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Similar for me a lot of days. I knew immediately WCML from the length of the walk at the start today - a shorter one usually means ECML. No walk can mean all sorts of options from the Midlands and East Anglia down to the south coast and Kent! 😅
Ah, the old classic. I got one letter, it was just working out where it needed to go. Probably helped that from where I start, 48% of the time it'll tell me what part of the country I'm working with from my first 2 points - either GLQ/GLC for WCML or EDB for ECML. 4% for in Scotland lol.
November 13, 2026 at 8:02 AM
Ah, the old classic. I got one letter, it was just working out where it needed to go. Probably helped that from where I start, 48% of the time it'll tell me what part of the country I'm working with from my first 2 points - either GLQ/GLC for WCML or EDB for ECML. 4% for in Scotland lol.
The WCML north of Wigan North Western is also largely one line in each direction
November 8, 2026 at 8:12 PM
The WCML north of Wigan North Western is also largely one line in each direction
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Featuring:
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🛤️ Services & scenarios for WCML: London Euston - Milton Keynes!
📜 More!
Live now on PlayStation & XBOX, coming to Steam & Epic Games Stores at 4pm GMT!
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#trainsim
November 10, 2026 at 12:14 PM
TSW7: Cargo Line Vol. 7 - Vans | Out Now! 🚉
Featuring:
🆕IZA Twin Vans
🛤️ Services & scenarios for WCML: London Euston - Milton Keynes!
📜 More!
Live now on PlayStation & XBOX, coming to Steam & Epic Games Stores at 4pm GMT!
Click here for more!
tinyurl.com/4cb6ke44
#trainsim
Featuring:
🆕IZA Twin Vans
🛤️ Services & scenarios for WCML: London Euston - Milton Keynes!
📜 More!
Live now on PlayStation & XBOX, coming to Steam & Epic Games Stores at 4pm GMT!
Click here for more!
tinyurl.com/4cb6ke44
#trainsim
on the stinky middle lane of the WCML watching the high speed services overtake like grrrrrr
November 3, 2026 at 9:36 AM
on the stinky middle lane of the WCML watching the high speed services overtake like grrrrrr
Broke up the split ticket journey to London with a 2hr stop in Stafford. First time here - one of the nicer places to visit if you're heading down the WCML, with Victoria Park the first thing that greets you from the station.
November 6, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Broke up the split ticket journey to London with a 2hr stop in Stafford. First time here - one of the nicer places to visit if you're heading down the WCML, with Victoria Park the first thing that greets you from the station.
Yeah. I guess there are half a million of you and what, 14 million (?) northerners though.
But tbh we ECML northerners don't have it that bad compared to WCML northerners (some Yorkshire folk would say that served Lancashire folk right – not me).
But tbh we ECML northerners don't have it that bad compared to WCML northerners (some Yorkshire folk would say that served Lancashire folk right – not me).
November 5, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Yeah. I guess there are half a million of you and what, 14 million (?) northerners though.
But tbh we ECML northerners don't have it that bad compared to WCML northerners (some Yorkshire folk would say that served Lancashire folk right – not me).
But tbh we ECML northerners don't have it that bad compared to WCML northerners (some Yorkshire folk would say that served Lancashire folk right – not me).
TSW7: Cargo Line Vol. 7 comes fully equipped with a range of new scenarios and services for:
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🌆WCML: London Euston to Milton Keynes
The brand new IZA Twin Vans are also compatible with Livery Designer, Scenario Planner, and Formation Designer from the Creators Club! 🚉
November 5, 2026 at 5:04 PM
TSW7: Cargo Line Vol. 7 comes fully equipped with a range of new scenarios and services for:
🌆WCML: London Euston to Milton Keynes
The brand new IZA Twin Vans are also compatible with Livery Designer, Scenario Planner, and Formation Designer from the Creators Club! 🚉
🌆WCML: London Euston to Milton Keynes
The brand new IZA Twin Vans are also compatible with Livery Designer, Scenario Planner, and Formation Designer from the Creators Club! 🚉
The plan is to double the size of Milton Keynes, assisted by all the capacity released on the WCML. Far more sensible than Calvert.
November 3, 2026 at 8:53 PM
The plan is to double the size of Milton Keynes, assisted by all the capacity released on the WCML. Far more sensible than Calvert.
hi @garethdennis.uk I was wondering, since people keep talking about the cost of HS2, do we have any figures for how much the ECML/WCML cost to construct? of course such a thing would not be an apples-to-apples comparison but I am curious all the same.
November 3, 2026 at 6:16 PM
hi @garethdennis.uk I was wondering, since people keep talking about the cost of HS2, do we have any figures for how much the ECML/WCML cost to construct? of course such a thing would not be an apples-to-apples comparison but I am curious all the same.
My belief is that it will make a huge difference when it's finished and when it goes beyond Crewe. Obviously, 2026 would have been better but 2036 is better than 2046
Most railway experts agree that a whole new line was the only solution to the WCML capacity issues
Most railway experts agree that a whole new line was the only solution to the WCML capacity issues
October 31, 2026 at 1:45 PM
My belief is that it will make a huge difference when it's finished and when it goes beyond Crewe. Obviously, 2026 would have been better but 2036 is better than 2046
Most railway experts agree that a whole new line was the only solution to the WCML capacity issues
Most railway experts agree that a whole new line was the only solution to the WCML capacity issues
Due irony, would have replied but the WCML crashed out so I was mainly trying to getting home.
Not just the speed but very much pitched as had to *the best*. Like an OTT 1st class Concorde approach.
And, yes, north south as issues there (capacity, quality, use) are decades old and getting older.
Not just the speed but very much pitched as had to *the best*. Like an OTT 1st class Concorde approach.
And, yes, north south as issues there (capacity, quality, use) are decades old and getting older.
November 1, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Due irony, would have replied but the WCML crashed out so I was mainly trying to getting home.
Not just the speed but very much pitched as had to *the best*. Like an OTT 1st class Concorde approach.
And, yes, north south as issues there (capacity, quality, use) are decades old and getting older.
Not just the speed but very much pitched as had to *the best*. Like an OTT 1st class Concorde approach.
And, yes, north south as issues there (capacity, quality, use) are decades old and getting older.
I got 2 complete refunds in September from Cross Country trains and Southern.
Yes, that's for delays of more than an hour. The Cross Country one, Manchester to Poole was cancelled, then more delays as WCML failures meant people trying to get to London by other routes. Very lucky to get seats on […]
Yes, that's for delays of more than an hour. The Cross Country one, Manchester to Poole was cancelled, then more delays as WCML failures meant people trying to get to London by other routes. Very lucky to get seats on […]
Original post on mstdn.social
mstdn.social
October 31, 2026 at 8:58 AM
I got 2 complete refunds in September from Cross Country trains and Southern.
Yes, that's for delays of more than an hour. The Cross Country one, Manchester to Poole was cancelled, then more delays as WCML failures meant people trying to get to London by other routes. Very lucky to get seats on […]
Yes, that's for delays of more than an hour. The Cross Country one, Manchester to Poole was cancelled, then more delays as WCML failures meant people trying to get to London by other routes. Very lucky to get seats on […]
It is needed. Promoting it as 'high-speed' was huge error. It's only way to future-proof railway network in this country.
I'd guess that majority of delay-repay money Avanti paid is because WCML is rammed and one small problem makes every train that day late
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
I'd guess that majority of delay-repay money Avanti paid is because WCML is rammed and one small problem makes every train that day late
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Avanti West Coast paid out £20m in ‘delay repay’ passenger refunds this summer
Intercity train operator’s compensation bill likely to top £70m this financial year amid rise in claims across network
www.theguardian.com
October 31, 2026 at 1:26 PM
It is needed. Promoting it as 'high-speed' was huge error. It's only way to future-proof railway network in this country.
I'd guess that majority of delay-repay money Avanti paid is because WCML is rammed and one small problem makes every train that day late
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
I'd guess that majority of delay-repay money Avanti paid is because WCML is rammed and one small problem makes every train that day late
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Connection up the WCML this time, which is slightly slower than many of the ECML connections, but offers fewer opportunities for things to go wrong (and I’ll also take a fifteen minute wait at Piccadilly over the half an hour in Leeds that just feels like unnecessary misery)
October 25, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Connection up the WCML this time, which is slightly slower than many of the ECML connections, but offers fewer opportunities for things to go wrong (and I’ll also take a fifteen minute wait at Piccadilly over the half an hour in Leeds that just feels like unnecessary misery)