Preston

Manchester to Carlisle

We depart from Platform 14 at Manchester Piccadilly on 11th September
2002 for Carlisle. The Virgin Voyager Unit, No. 220023, had not been in
service for long as we pass through the suburbs of Manchester and head
for Bolton. The Line through Bolton has more recently been electrified
so this cab ride represents a period shortly before this great change.
After calling at Bolton’s Platform 4, the service heads for the
West Coast Main Line at Euxton Junction for the next arrival at
Preston’s Platform 3. Twenty minutes later we arrive at Lancaster and
soon afterwards speed past Carnforth and the old steam coaling tower
is to be seen on the left-hand side.
We then progress to Oxenholme and venture up towards Shap summit
(916 feet above sea level) and Penrith before arriving at the
border city of Carlisle.
Approximately 1 hour 55 minutes duration