Tornado to haul certain timetabled trains on S&C: Feb 14-16

John I think a better option would be the Tyne Valley line (I mentioned this to James Shuttleworth in a message a while ago)Passengers could get off at Hexham visit Roman wall etc or the lucky ones can wait get off at Newcastle and sample the history of the city or visit Bigg market etc. Engine serviced at Heaton return chimney first to Carlisle lots of time in either Hexham area or Newcastle.
James S never replied by the way lol

 

Agreed

 

Same as the Jacobite, turn up on the day and see if there is any spare capacity

 

Can we have a Forum convention not to use bad language?

 

Eh? Don't recall that, Henry!

Probably not the best idea, as there are extraneous ecs moves and high depot charges, which do not make for cheap days out.

JS

 

It was pm through Nat pres James I can send it to you again but take on board the reality in your reply Cheers

 

The big flaw in that plan is that the Tyne Valley is relatively unknown compared with the S&C which is now a household name. Mention the Tyne to most people south of Birmingham and they think of cloth caps, shipyards and people with a funny accent you can't understand!

 

Bloody hell John you make the area sound so romantic lol,

 

They're not far wrong like!

 

Didn't know you knew Henry that well John as that's him all day long

 

Admire the ambition but maybe it's too accessible to too many and would be flooded. Could also have a big impact on regular charters.

 

It would attract a new market, a regular train in the timetable to attract the non enthusiast day tripper or holidaymaker. Regular travellers on charters know all about them and where to access details, there is a much bigger section of Joe public who don't even know they exist, but then I wouldn't expect you to see anything positive it.
I'm not saying it would be a viable proposition and James Shuttleworth and others in the business may give many reasons why it's a non starter and I would not argue with them as they are at the sharp end with far more insight that either you or me.

 

It's not about positivity, something your capacity to rely in personal jibes indicates you are lacking. It's about pragmatism.

The Jacobite is not that close to large areas of population so the "chance" trippers are rather limited. With S&C you have a large indigenous population PLUS many tourists in the Lakes and Dales. A much bigger audience to attract. Thus the capacity to overwhelm the trains is high. That would mean prebooked ticketing. In that scenario I am all in favour. I don't want Mummy and Daddy promising Little Johnny a trip on a Steam Train to see it pull out of the station without them. Look at how this weeks trips have filled and an extra coach (plus extra services) has been added due to locals concerns.

The negative impact on the charters is the probability of enthusiasts seeing these as a cheap alternative. It's been said on here many times that the profit may be in the last coach. If enthusiasts don't fill that last coach then we are killing the charter business.

Not all great ideas translate into practical reality.

 

You clearly have never been to the West Highland Line. Most tickets on the Jacobite are prebooked but every day a fair number of hopefuls turn up and depending on circumstances they either get on or they don't. The number of tourists in the Highlands is not small so there is no difference from the environs of the S&C. The train is never overwhelmed you are either lucky as a turn up on the day passenger or you aren't

 

You are possibly looking through the wrong end of the "charter" telescope methinks. Whilst the S&C has a large indigenous population capable of supporting steam charters, the Jacobite is designed to attract people to an area with little population in order to boost the local economy. The fact that the Jacobite achieves this season after season is the rationale for continuing it - not the size of the local population itself.

 

Latest seating availability.
14th Feb. A small number of reserved seats are available on the 17.15hrs Skipton-Appleby
All other bookable seats on the 14th have been sold.
15th Feb, As with the 14th, a small number of bookable seats on the 17,15hrs Skipton-Appleby as is the case on the 16th Feb.
All other bookable seats on all other trains have gone.
Pay on day availability on the 17.15 ex Skipton , all days, should be good.

 

Better option would be to carry onto Carlisle and service there, turn the stock, and back to Hexham.

Optional bus trips to Hadrians Wall etc....

Agree with some, Hexham on a Sunday aint a lot going on, however Carlisle is hardly Monaco, and it does alright.

lack of turning opportunities mean a trip up the Northumberland Coast, as a probable no go, Morpeth is not far enough up it.

Breathtaking Scenery, some things to do, but without any turntable, its a bust, However lets keep that secret to ourselves Henry.

 

Would Newcastle - Edinburgh be a option, with stops at intervening stations if people so chose~?

 

No I'm not just looking at the indigenous population which is much bigger.

Visitor numbers to the the Highlands run at about 2.1m per year. Contrast with Lake District and Yorkshire Dale's with combined visitor numbers of around 20 million and you are fishing in a much bigger pond. Pre-booking would be essential.

But I maintain many enthusiasts would get their fix on these rather than the charters.

 

One reason why this initiative is so popular (apart from the price) is that it's a one-off. If it really was a regular occurrence, with less glamorous motive power, then the demand would be spread out and less chance of overwhelming the trains.

I'm doubtful whether the economics of PlanDampf would work with standard fares, especially with all us old fogies using our railcards.

Possibly more viable would be occasional PlanDiesel, using heritage traction and rolling stock. Might even be able to run all the way into Leeds if topped and tailed.