Saphos Trains 2018

Isn't that the general idea - you're a new player in the market, so cut prices to the bone to attract custom ( its not like JH can't afford it & it will costed in the business plan) deliver what you say on the tin & some - gain a good reputation & then gradually creep prices up - its called good practice.

Any way, I wish JH all the best in the new venture - god knows the market needs a new player & given he's got both 'iconic' kettles & boxes he can't loose.......... (though I wouldn't call a Duff 'iconic'!)

 

Strange name for the new company, a certain classical poet springs to mind...................

 

Quite. Maybe it's about the anticipation that passengers will wax lyrical over the quality of service, the environment, and the firm's ability to deliver what's said on the tin. Which if the amounts allegedly spent on the carriages alone is anything to go by, might not be far off the mark.

 

Question before I act in haste and repent at leisure. Is it possible/likely that the trips to Holyhead and Cardiff will not require a box on the back?

 

Frankly Alan I prefer to trust the wisdom and knowledge of some of the people on here ! Isn't Cardiff in particular very difficult to do without traction on both ends?

 

Diesel not required at Cardiff, as long as the coaching stock is stabled in Canton yard (not part of the Arriva complex). These days locos are normally turned at Newport, as a critical crossover on the Penarth triangle has been taken out of use, and locos otherwise have to go most of the way to Barry to crossover.

 

Details of Saphos Trains journeys in 2018 are now available at www.iconsofsteam.com/travel - Bookings open on December 22nd.

Alex - Icons Of Steam

 

You asked, we've got an answer... Our FAQ section has been updated to include information about diesel haulage and assistance. Unfortunately we've also had to postpone booking to January 3rd.

These, and more questions & answers can be found here: http://www.iconsofsteam.com/travel/experience/faq/

All the best, and Happy Christmas!
Alex - Icons Of Steam

 

Hmmm, not quite as refreshingly open in the carriage section. There's a note on their carriage description:

'Without carriages there can be no train. Dating from the 1950’s (1), each one of our carriages has been immaculately restored to their historic condition'.

Note 1 in the small print at the bottom of the page which most people probably won't read states 'Not all of our carriages date from the 1950s. Carriages vary by class and cannot be guaranteed'.

So what are the standard class carriages? Mk1s or 2s, and if the latter, do they have toplights?

 

Will the steam loco be assisted by a diesel?

''We do not plan for any of our journeys to feature diesel assistance.

Where advertised diesel locomotives will be used for feeder services, prior to a steam locomotive being attached to the train.

We plan for all of our services to feature a manned diesel at the rear of the train. This will provide an electricity supply to the train, as well as assistance with shunting manoeuvres. Additionally we want to act responsibly as a mainline operator, so in case of failure we want to ensure an assisting loco is on hand if required.

Our trains will not be assisted by diesel traction from the rear of the train unless authorised to do so as part of an out of course situation, or as a banking engine at specific locations as authorised by Network Rail.

None of our trips are planned to require a banking engine, therefore you will enjoy the experience of a steam hauled journey without any diesel assistance''.

 

Quite agree, a commendable huge step in the direction of doing the right thing. The reason it has not happened before is that SD and RTC do not control the stock they use or the operational aspects and are presumably unable to obtain this clarity from their supplier. WC do control all aspects so in theory could offer the same level of detail but perhaps have not thus far felt it beneficial to do so.
If the market enters a position of genuine competition it can only be to the good for all concerned.

 

They also must be able to get permission relatively quickly as if you look at what happened to the RTC / WCRC "End of Southern Steam" tour this year, where they ended up with a late and empty bowser at Salisbury which meant the Crompton then pushed the tour up the climbs to Yeovil, the delay at Salisbury was only 9L

 

I'd have thought 'authorisation' will be more of a blanket thing. You can push if you're late or if you need to going up hills or starting from stations. Surely we're not in a world of getting specific permission at 7pm on a Sunday when it's gone pear-shaped.