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Reopening: open carriages and solo travellers

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by D1039, Aug 13, 2020.

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  1. D1039

    D1039 Guest

    Apologies in advance for opening another thread but I'm struggling to find the answers across other threads/posts.

    Which railways are operating loco hauled services (so excluding DMU) using open carriages please? And which are selling tickets for solo travellers?

    Thank you

    Patrick
     
    D1039, Aug 13, 2020
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  2. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Good idea. I'll kick things off with the GWSR, one open carriage per train that allows solo travellers or a pair at one seating bay.
     
    flying scotsman123, Aug 13, 2020
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  3. sycamore

    sycamore Member

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    No discrimination against singletons at Embsay! :) Tickets - https://www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.org.uk/timetable/tickets

    - Compartments for 1-8 pax within social bubble (normal fares but all journeys must be done as one round trip from Embsay Station ONLY).
    - Open seating for Dales Dining.

    Will
     
    sycamore, Aug 13, 2020
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  4. Flying Phil

    Flying Phil Part of the furniture

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    GCR is selling single tickets but I believe it is only using compartment stock. I had a compartment on my own, which I booked at Quorn on the day, as they had some spaces left.
     
    Flying Phil, Aug 13, 2020
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  5. 21B

    21B Part of the furniture

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    Mid Hants is using both open and compartment stock. In the open coaches the fare for solo travellers is the same as it was before lockdown. £16.

    Sent from my SM-A405FN using Tapatalk
     
    21B, Aug 13, 2020
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  6. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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    Dartmouth Rail & River quote separate fares as per usual, so I assume that a solitary traveler can be accommodated on trains and vessels. Most stock is open stock, duly adapted for Covid-19. Trains run most days at present.
     
    Greenway, Aug 13, 2020
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  7. bluetrain

    bluetrain Well-Known Member

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    I recently visited Didcot Railway Centre and was able to ride as a solo traveller, with a compartment to myself in a vintage (c. 1900) GWR non-corridor. Only a few hundred yards up and down the demo line, but that has so far been my sole train journey this year.

    Also visited East Somerset. Gave a donation for site entry but did not actually travel. Noticed that their train did include an open coach, which appeared lightly loaded on the afternoon service.

    EDIT: I believe that the Avon Valley is also catering for solo travellers and couples at normal prices, but in compartment coaches (if a singleton or a couple book, the compartment is for their use only).
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2020
    bluetrain, Aug 14, 2020
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  8. cav1975

    cav1975 Member

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    The Isle of Wight is accepting solo travellers at normal fares and allocating a compartment each. Doesn't work wonders for load factor statistics but is the customer friendly thing to do.
     
    cav1975, Aug 14, 2020
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  9. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    I worked out that the Bluebell is, if you opt for one of the dining services, you can book as a single traveller. For example, the breakfast service is £25 for a single, includes a continental breakfast in the price and a round trip of the line.

    Tom
     
    Jamessquared, Aug 14, 2020
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  10. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    that's reassuring to know, i might be making a trip along the A31 In a couple of weeks to revisit old haunts
     
    martin1656, Aug 14, 2020
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  11. BristolCastle

    BristolCastle New Member

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    Yes thats true. I've did a trip on the line as a solo traveller.
     
    BristolCastle, Aug 14, 2020
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  12. D1039

    D1039 Guest

    Thanks all, keep them coming!

    Patrick
     
    D1039, Aug 14, 2020
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  13. dan.lank

    dan.lank Member

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    Are you sure about that, Tom? I’ve looked at booking but won’t sell anything less than a table for two...


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    dan.lank, Aug 16, 2020
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  14. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Ah, possibly my mistake. The website form allows a choice of 1, but then clicks through to only tables for 2,3 or 4. Mea culpa...

    Tom
     
    Jamessquared, Aug 16, 2020
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  15. dan.lank

    dan.lank Member

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    I thought exactly the same thing - website is a bit confusing! Shame, I can’t really justify a £50 return...


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    dan.lank, Aug 16, 2020
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  16. lil Bear

    lil Bear Part of the furniture

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    Churnet Valley Railway
    https://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk/

    We have a SO, CK and BSK available in our post-Lockdown rake, and tickets are being sold on an individual basis. Services every weekend until November, and Wednesdays until end of September.
     
    lil Bear, Aug 16, 2020
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  17. Mike S

    Mike S New Member

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    The Battlefield Line offer a walk on service and solo traveller fares, pre booking also available. www.battlefieldline.co.uk
     
    Mike S, Aug 17, 2020
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  18. Steamie Boxes

    Steamie Boxes Member

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    Ravenglass allows solo travelling, but has to be booked in advance
     
    Steamie Boxes, Aug 17, 2020
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  19. 21B

    21B Part of the furniture

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    Breakfast available at Alresford and cream teas on the train in the afternoon...whether solo or with others.

    Sent from my SM-A405FN using Tapatalk
     
    21B, Aug 17, 2020
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  20. RA & FC

    RA & FC Well-Known Member

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    Llangollen has one tso in the rake of 5 for single persons. Currently running every day in August, then 6 days a week in September (not Mondays).
     
    RA & FC, Aug 18, 2020
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