Electrification of the Blackpool Railway Line

£1bn+ was recently invested in the electrification of the Blackpool railway line, greatly improving the railway infrastructure. It means that new electric trains now run between Manchester and Blackpool via Preston. The town of Blackpool is served by five train stations on two lines.

Great North Rail Project in Blackpool and the Fylde Coast

Passengers travelling on the line from Blackpool to  Preston and Manchester, and vice-versa, benefit from better, greener, quieter and more reliable journeys. The improvements will serve passengers for many decades to come and help boost the economy across the north of England.

As part of Blackpool’s rail upgrade Network Rail has:

• rebuilt 11 bridges,
• remodelled 11 station platforms,
• replaced 11,000 metres of track,
• installed 200,000 metres of overhead power line,
• upgraded railway drainage systems,
• installed 84 new modern signals.

Controlled from the Network Rail operating centre in Manchester the brand new signalling system will help to reduce delays and improve railway performance.

Blackpool North and Kirkham & Wesham stations have seen major improvements. Plus those made at the Blackpool depot to support the roll-out of modern trains.

This photo was taken from Sainsbury’s Supermarket in February 2018, looking across Blackpool North station.

Complete Electrification of the Blackpool Railway Line

As part of the multi-billion pound Great North Rail Project, the Blackpool lines have reopened following 22 weeks of work to upgrade the tracks, station platforms and signalling system.

On Monday 29th January 2018 train services returned to Blackpool South Station. Train services between Preston and Blackpool North resumed from Monday 16 April 2018. Initially with one train per hour, allowing time for driver training on the route.

The first Pendolino arrived at Blackpool North station on the evening of 14 May 2018. Operated by Virgin Trains, it tested the new infrastructure along the 17 mile route between Blackpool North and from Preston. It travelled from Preston to Blackpool North and back under the supervision of Network Rail’s Team Orange engineers. They were on hand to check and inspect the route’s new overhead equipment.

Virgin Trains boost services on Blackpool route

Following electrification of the Blackpool Railway Line, Virgin Trains announced a number of new direct rail services between Blackpool and London. Plus a new Saturday service between Birmingham and Blackpool, the first direct link for 15 years. Monday 21 May 2018 saw this historic train arrive.

The new timetable from 21 May sees train operators Northern and Virgin Trains introduce greener, quieter and more reliable trains to and from Blackpool.

The introduction of Pendolino trains between London and Blackpool was hailed a “step change in connectivity” by tourism leaders. The move follows Virgin Trains’ move to reintroduce direct rail services to London in 2014.

First time for Pendolino tilting trains

It’s the first time the long-distance train operator has served Blackpool with its electric-powered tilting Pendolino trains. It follows the completion of Network Rail’s work to electrify the line between Blackpool and Preston. Lengthening platforms at Blackpool North station made them suitable for the longer Pendolino trains to travel to and from the resort.

It can only be good for the leisure market, business tourism and potential inward investment. It brings a real step-change in connectivity for Blackpool and the whole of the Fylde Coast.