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Any non-santa running?

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by mikechant, Dec 15, 2015.

  1. mikechant

    mikechant Member

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    I've got a day off on Tuesday 22nd December and I wondered if there were any standard gauge heritage railways in England/Wales running non-santa services?
    I've been trawling around the websites but nothing so far...
     
    mikechant, Dec 15, 2015
    #1
  2. black5

    black5 Well-Known Member

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    The East Lancs has the coach at the north end of the train (directly behind the steam loco) for 'normal' passengers (also the brake coach) on Santa days. The Crab and City of Wells have been sharing the services on the last two weekends, not sure if they're keeping going all the way to Christmas though.
     
    black5, Dec 15, 2015
    #2
  3. David R

    David R Well-Known Member

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    I believe Swanage are operating a DMU between Norden and Swanage and return - mainly for people connecting into Santa trains from Swanage but available for anyone, not just Santa traffic

    http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/calendar

    David R
     
    David R, Dec 15, 2015
    #3
  4. mikechant

    mikechant Member

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    Thanks, might consider the ELR option.
     
    mikechant, Dec 16, 2015
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  5. cymroglan

    cymroglan Member

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    If I knew that Wells was working on Monday, I'd be there like a shot as I'm doing a scotland to Southern England car journey that day and could do with a break roughly mid way. Loco roster probably a state secret though?
     
    cymroglan, Dec 16, 2015
    #5
  6. TonyMay

    TonyMay Member

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    But it's not right behind the loco after the loco has run round!
     
    TonyMay, Dec 17, 2015
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  7. Ivor Biggun

    Ivor Biggun Guest

    Its top & tailed running; steam at the north end (facing smokebox first out of Bury, so the passengers see the steam loco), diesel at the south end, so no running round. The run is out and back to Rawtenstall with a brief stop at Ramsbottom (Santa passengers don't alight there). Most Santa passengers don't even notice the diesel!
    Normally 2 different sets in use I think.
     
    Ivor Biggun, Dec 17, 2015
    #7
  8. Pesmo

    Pesmo Member

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    Are there any running a non-santa carriage in the south? Like Mikechant I also have a free day before Xmas and fancy a bit of steam. I am sorted after Xmas where there is plenty happening but pre-Xmas there is not much availability.
     
    Pesmo, Dec 20, 2015
    #8
    TonyMay likes this.
  9. TonyMay

    TonyMay Member

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    No, the steam engine is on the north end; there is a diesel on the south end and they're running topped-and-tailed. Please try to keep up.
     
    TonyMay, Dec 20, 2015
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  10. burmister

    burmister Member

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    In the South the Spa keeps a carriage unreserved on its Santa trains for turn up and go/local shoppers avoiding the traffic in Tunbridge Wells. These are top tailed - Steam at Tonbridge end and Diesel at Eridge end. Trains every day this week including 24th.

    Brian
     
    burmister, Dec 20, 2015
    #10
  11. Pesmo

    Pesmo Member

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    Thx, Spa will do for me, havent been for a few years so that is my day out sorted.
     
    Pesmo, Dec 20, 2015
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