Edinburgh Festival Express.

OK a diesel tour but one which showed how communication and cooperation speeds things along. Outward journey from Holyhead nothing of note except that for some reason pick up stops were scheduled at Lancaster and Oxenholme although neither were in the brochure, but none the less we had to stop. No one boarded..
On the return however we arrived at Carstairs junction expecting to have to wait for a Glasgow London train to precede us, however since it was late we were allowed to run ahead of it and arrived in Carlisle where we did have to wait and as a result were a few minutes down. New crew at Carlisle were put in the picture about not requiring Oxenholme and Lancaster stops, all passengers had been asked if they wished to alight there just in case..... So straight through Oxenholme, gain of 5 minutes+ and straight past Carnforth loop where another pathing stop had been expected gaining 13 minutes, following train again running late and by this time we were now well early. Lancaster none stop so another 5 minutes gained. Preston bit of a sluggish stop but still well up on time. Arrived Warrington 30 minutes early, Manchester to Chester train that would have been in our way, late so again sent on our way. Eventually back at Holyhead 33 early.... So when everyone gets their act together things like this can and do happen, well done all concerned.