Weekend strengthening and retimings for trains

Northern Rail is planning to increase capacity provision at weekends from the 9 November for the seven weekends prior to Christmas

In recent years, and last year in particular, Northern Rail experienced a significant increase in demand for services at weekends in the run up to Christmas. As a result of this Northern Rail is planning to optimise capacity provision at weekends from the 9 November 2013 (for the seven weekends prior to Christmas). This will include a combination of strengthening and additional shuttle services, particularly on Saturday evenings and Sundays.

On Saturdays 9 November, 16 November, 23 November, 30 November, 7 December,
14 December and 21 December, the following is planned:

Manchester Victoria - Rochdale services strengthened at 19:55 and 20:55 see below for retiming;

Manchester & Leeds services strengthened at 20:21 and 22:54;

Note: The 19:55 and 20:55 Manchester Victoria to Rochdale trains on the above Saturdays will be retimed to 20:10 and 21:15 to provide direct relief to the 20:21 and 21:21 services.

On Sundays 10 November, 17 November, 24 November, 1 December,

8 December, 15 December and 22 December, the following is planned:

Strengthened services with 4 cars on the following route:

Manchester Victoria - Rochdale.

There will also be stand by buses at Victoria on Friday evenings, Saturday all day and Sunday afternoon/evening.