Blackpool’s electric era starts with ‘Pendolino’ visit

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On THE night of May 14, Virgin Trains (VT) Class 390 No. 390152 Virgin Knight became the first electric train to visit Blackpool North under its own power.

The ‘Pendolino’ was used to test the new 25kV AC overhead line equipment along the 17-mile route between Preston and Blackpool North ahead of the May 20 timetable change, which saw VT introduce three return trips per day between Euston and the Fylde Coast resort.

On May 14, 11-car Virgin ‘Pendolino’ No. 390152 Virgin Knight became the first electric train to run through from Preston to Blackpool North following the completion of electrification and modernisation of the 17-mile line. NETWORK RAIL

The test run was operated under the supervision of Network Rail engineers, who were on hand to check and inspect the route’s new overhead equipment.

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Over the last 18 months NR has installed more than 1,000 OHLE structures and 200,000 metres of wiring, as well as replacing every moving part on the railway between Preston and Blackpool North.

Read more in the June issue of The RM – on sale now!


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