WCRC Santa Specials 2018

Looks like they are running them again this year, around the Hellifield circuit as before....

https://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk...802b9a24b-4557A84C-D263-5DE2-FDA2D1756A1B0AB1

 

Well, that's the first \Christmas advert I've seen this year. It's got to be a record...........it's early May.

 

Prices look very competitive against those with a lot of Heritage Railway Santa offerings, let alone for a mainline jaunt.

 

Thanks Victor! Table for four booked 2nd December! Grand-daughters 1st meeting with Santa will be on a steam special with Mum, Dad and Grandad!

 

Let’s hope BIL gets a turn with no can on

 

I don't really care as long as it goes chuff chuff!

 

Very true John as it’s all about the Children to be honest

 

If it like last year and you join at Lancaster you will never actually see the loco as she comes down on the back of the stock from carnforth and is off the platform end at Lancaster.

Daughter has a lovely time last year and we will be booking this year!

 

Letter from WCR this morning

'Due to planning restrictions, we are now unable to pick passengers up from Carnforth on 25th November and 2nd/9th December. We will of course pick passengers up from Lancaster. Please confirm by email or telephone if you are able to change your departure from Carnforth to Lancaster.'

Looks like a route change!

The trip is a circular route picking up passengers in Lancaster. The train heads north along the coast line through Bolton-le-Sands and Carnforth, before passing over River Bela. From here we travel along the edge of The Lake District on our approach towards Oxenholme. Continuing north, we then head for Carlisle. Passing through the magnificent scenery of the North Pennies to the West, we can enjoy the smells and sounds of the steam locomotive. Here we pass through Penrith and Upperby Bridge junction and follow River Petteril which runs through Cumbria. Finally we reach Petteril Bridge junction before turning to head south back through the dramatic countryside and arriving back at Lancaster.

 

We are on the 16th December one so doesn't affect us, but is that suggesting north over Shap and south over S&C - if so strange it doesn't explicitly say so??

 

Out via Shap for sure...the rest isn't clear! Either way it's still a lovely day out for the kids (and Grandad).

 

Suggests that you will probably get something more leggy than the 8F as well?

Looking at the rough timings here it looks bloody tight for a run right round the block, unless its going to be down the S&C and then a drag back from Hellifield?

https://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/railtours/trips/festive-special-2018.cfm

You will have a grand time whatever, they made a great effort with the kids last year, our girl loved it!

 

Turn on the triangle at Carlisle with passengers then back same route? There will be a diesel on the back for ETH anyway?

There is replacement bus service shown for Clitheroe - Preston...maybe a clue there?

 

Ideal job for 6201 .......
The only thing about the WCML is that it does not lend itself well to the slower daunder typical of the Santa trains and which the Little NW is perfect for.

 

I assume something has gone wrong with their booking system, got a letter yesterday asking me to confirm via email what date we had booked on and how many were travelling? I will be emailing back confirming that there are 10 of us and we booked Premier Dining.....

 

I got the same two, but the weird thing was it listed at the top of the letter saying how many where in the party...

 

+1 had to confirm what they obviously already knew!

 

Cheers Ralph, thought that might be the case! Looks like my granddaughters first train ride will be steam both ways over Shap!