[johnwaero]

There is a download document on the Department for Transport website which gives brief details of the proposed elecrtification schemes. The Liverpool-Manchester Victoria scheme also includes the "South Junction" spur to link up with the former MSJAR at Castlefield Junction and thus will allow direct running to platforms 13&14 at Piccadilly.

These platforms could easily accommodate Pendolinos and I have seen diverted units passing through having been diesel hauled from the West Coast mainline.

The biggest challenge will be seeing the work carried out in the planned timescale. The Shadow Transport Secretary, Theresa Villiers, is already pouring cold water on the proposed Great Western electrification and a change of government next year might see both proposed schemes scuppered.

We will all need to lobby hard with existing and future MPs to see that these schemes and others are brought to fruition. A failure to invest adequately in the infrastructure of this country over the next five years will have dire consequences.