Saphos Trains 2020

Where do you get 'Do you really suppose that these trains are run for the benefit of 'timers' from?' All I said is food gets in the way of timing so dining is not for me so I won't travel with them.

 

Well I'm looking forward to my trip on August as it is likely to be my only mainline steam this year - seems to me to be a choice between travelling in a Mk 2 or no mainline steam at all. Not really something I need to think about to be honest, but each to their own!

 

Ah but will you count the steam mileage?

 

Yes we have the choice and with a 47 on the back I won’t be booking any.

 

I haven’t mentioned food and nor have I criticised Saphos. If that’s the way they want to run their trains then so be it, but I won’t be on them and that’s my choice. I am certainly not alone in that view but don’t expect to receive such an unnecessarily nasty outburst from someone with a different view

 

Bloomin heck you certainly got both barrels there Don

 

Yes Al and like means like minded from here Sad people!

 

Are any of the recent posts made by or on behalf of Saphos can we say?

 

Does anyone know if Kevin Steen is a real name?

 

Is twr12 a real name?

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Owens

American wrestler. Or maybe he's just some little brat from Taunton, who's been banned before, who likes a wind up.

 

Letter received today confirming the cancellation of the Great Western Christmas Envoy, due to the Bath Christmas Market being cancelled. Usual three options of full refund, transfer to another 2020 trip or credit note for 2021 trips (available to book from next month). Given how it's currently not possible for a single traveller to book on a Saphos trip, I think I will take them up on the offer of a transfer to another trip, as that gives me a convenient "way in".

Update: Have transferred booking to the Sussex Belle instead, due to be hauled by Braunton.

 

On 8th August the law on the wearing of face coverings in England was extended to include more indoor situations. The following is extracted from the Government website.

When to wear a face covering

In England, you must wear a face covering in the following indoor settings (a list of examples for each is included in the brackets):

• public transport (aeroplanes, trains, trams and buses)
• transport hubs (airports, rail and tram stations and terminals, maritime ports and terminals, bus and coach stations and terminals)

• visitor attractions and entertainment venues (museums, galleries, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, cultural and heritage sites, aquariums, indoor zoos and visitor farms, bingo halls, amusement arcades, adventure activity centres, funfairs, theme parks, casinos, skating rinks, bowling alleys, indoor play areas including soft-play areas)

You should also wear a face covering in indoor places not listed here where social distancing may be difficult and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.

It is important to realise that the examples listed in brackets do not claim to be a list of each and every venue. In July Saphos decided that its trains were not really trains but "leisure and hospitality" and as such face coverings were not required. Given that the law has changed and appears to be much more of a "catch-all" for leisure activities, it is puzzling why the Saphos website continue to advise passengers that face coverings are not required when onboard.

 

Any idea what loco is hauling The White Rose to York in a weeks time?

 

They seem to have assumed the pub/restaurant scenario. Easier to justify for dining cars than standard class I suspect.

 

It said on their website that they worked with the authorities to get their train under the Leisure and Hospitality Regs; not public transport. Seems to be working as haven't seen any reports of covid cases resulting from their trains.