Saphos Trains 2020

I guess that is a possibility. I'd hoped it might be diesel free, as many of their recent trips have been, but I don't know what the turning arrangements might be at Bristol so perhaps a tail gunner is needed?

 

Turning at Bristol is not normally an issue, but not something you would do and then go to Bath. So if the website is correct and it must go Swindon to BTM via Parkway, then I to would go with Fred's summation of how it gets to Bristol. It may of course then go back the other way via Box to give a roundtrip or give people a climb up through Filton Abbey Wood.

 

FS moving to Holyhead today?

 

Yes, but it's an RTC tour, not Saphos.

 

Latest SR confirms that Saphos will no longer run any trips in leaf-fall season, as a result of the debacle with The Golden Arrow. Explains why the programme for next year has nothing from 12th September to 17th December

 

Over 3 months of leaf fall? Appears a bit OTT. <BJ>

 

Especially as they have diesels available to assist in such circumstances.

 

Or just stick to flatter routes or shorter trains.

 

I hope that this doesn’t mean that we will be getting a diesel on this year’s Pennine Moors. 70000 coped splendidly last year, starting from Burnley Manchester Rd in light rain, first train over the route that day - no slipping!

 

Bit sledgehammer to crack a nut, plus must be lovely to have a business one can essentially shut down a fundamental part of for three months a year.

 

Offical? Could just be a down period to maintain stock and fleet? Could be a case of putting two and two together for the purpose of writing an article. As said it seems a bit of a knee jerk reaction considering lessons learnt could be the addition of a diesel or lighter loads.

 

It does seem a little excessive. With so much of the railtour market these days geared towards dining and the grey pound (or whatever the current phrase is) I would have thought a diesel on the back would keep the vast majority of potential passengers happy. Would let them see steam at the front when they join, arrive at the destination & during water stops etc.
Most of the run up to Christmas is also included in the suspension period as well. Still I suppose leaves the field clear for the other promoters.
Of course you can get very bad rail conditions at any time of the year, does this mean they will stick to "flat routes"

 

I'd have thought October 15 to Dec 1 would be more like it. In particular, September together with April to June should be one of the prime months in this business.

A Brit plus 12 could easily have come to grief at any time of year on that itinerary.

 

Indeed.

 

I think Saphos may be licking their wounds a little - they were prolific on Facebook but not a single post since 'the incident'. A great shame if this mistake undermines their confidence - as others have said it was an overloaded train that should have taken the banker. Nothing worse than that.

 

Leaves?

I like that. <BJ>

 

I'd noticed that as well.