Blackpool Pendolino Testing.

It is reported that overnight trial running of class 390s between Preston and Blackpool North will commence late on Monday night - the 14th. The schedule is 20 mins non-stop for the 17.5 miles. A 75 mph max speed applies over the section to Kirkham through at least the first week of the new timetable. A 60/70MU speed applies beyond Kirkham and, although it has been difficult to verify thus far, the MU classification does not apply to class 390s.
IU 12.05.18

8001F said:

It is reported that overnight trial running of class 390s between Preston and Blackpool North will commence late on Monday night - the 14th. The schedule is 20 mins non-stop for the 17.5 miles. A 75 mph max speed applies over the section to Kirkham through at least the first week of the new timetable. A 60/70MU speed applies beyond Kirkham and, although it has been difficult to verify thus far, the MU classification does not apply to class 390s.
IU 12.05.18

Does this mean we are anticipating line speed increases on the Blackpool line when everything’s finished?

I seem to recall something about increased speeds but it was a long time ago.
However the following has just been reissued from the 12th May which answers the cl 390 position:
HST
Class 91 locomotives with mark 4 vehicles and DVT, classes 158, 159, 168, 170, 171, 172, 175, 180, 220, 221, 222, 253, 254 and 373
MU
Multiple Unit Trains
DMU
Diesel Multiple Units
EMU
Electrical Multiple Units
SP
Classes 150, 153, 155, 156, 158, 159, 165, 166, 168, 170, 171 and 172
CS
Class 67 locomotives

At locations where more than one speed indicator is displayed, classes listed in more than one speed category shown above, may run at the higher speeds displayed
National exceptions to MU trains
•Class 185 trains are not permitted to run at MU or DMU speeds
•Class 390 trains are not permitted to run at MU or EMU speeds
•Class 253 and 254 trains formed with less than threes coaches between the power cars are not permitted to run at MU or DMU speeds.

Class 68s York to Scarborough?
IU 13.05.18

4007F said:

8001F said:

It is reported that overnight trial running of class 390s between Preston and Blackpool North will commence late on Monday night - the 14th. The schedule is 20 mins non-stop for the 17.5 miles. A 75 mph max speed applies over the section to Kirkham through at least the first week of the new timetable. A 60/70MU speed applies beyond Kirkham and, although it has been difficult to verify thus far, the MU classification does not apply to class 390s.
IU 12.05.18

Does this mean we are anticipating line speed increases on the Blackpool line when everything’s finished?

I seem to recall something about increased speeds but it was a long time ago.
However the following has just been reissued from the 12th May which answers the cl 390 position:
HST
Class 91 locomotives with mark 4 vehicles and DVT, classes 158, 159, 168, 170, 171, 172, 175, 180, 220, 221, 222, 253, 254 and 373
MU
Multiple Unit Trains
DMU
Diesel Multiple Units
EMU
Electrical Multiple Units
SP
Classes 150, 153, 155, 156, 158, 159, 165, 166, 168, 170, 171 and 172
CS
Class 67 locomotives

At locations where more than one speed indicator is displayed, classes listed in more than one speed category shown above, may run at the higher speeds displayed
National exceptions to MU trains
•Class 185 trains are not permitted to run at MU or DMU speeds
•Class 390 trains are not permitted to run at MU or EMU speeds
•Class 253 and 254 trains formed with less than threes coaches between the power cars are not permitted to run at MU or DMU speeds.

Class 68s York to Scarborough?
IU 13.05.18

Successful-inc video:
https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/historic-milestone-as-first-ever-electric-train-runs-into-blackpool#
NR 15.05.18