The government has released its Electrication Plan with 2 routes given the go-ahead: Manchester to Liverpool and London to Swansea. This effects the north-west as it is planned to re-route Manchester to Scotland trains onto the new route although I’d think Bolton will be the main loser. Also diesel carriages currently being used on the lines to be electrified are to be transferred onto non-electric lines like Manchester – Preston – Blackpool.
I read Northern Trains are already saying that the planned update of their carriages will be hit. My own observation is that Northern operate worse carriages than Trans-Pennine to the extent that you would pay more to go on the better ones, well I would.
The plan also repeats that the line from Manchester to Preston is being considered for electrification. I’d think a large town like Bolton would justify it. It isn’t clear where that leaves Preston to Blackpool as the map doesn’t show that being considered so the Blackpool to Buxton trains will still be diesel whatever.
The plan is available on-line: click here