Saphos Trains 2020

All trains hauled by locos allowed to run at 75mph are shown as 60mph on RTT. For example if a Saphos train starts behind a 47 it would be timed for 95mph before changing to 60mph at the point the steam loco takes over.

 

I’m fairly sure most Scotsman runs have had 60mph next to them but correct me if I’m wrong. I do know that the K1 would have 50mph as it is limited to that speed.

 

To save Ralph repeating himself, the speeds on RTT have no reference as to what loco is upfront.

We’re lucky on Nat Pres to have a community of “spies” who often know what’s running in advance even if not advertised. But as a last resort with LSL now, RTT will now tell you on the day.

 

SOME trains are shown like that, but many steam runs have been shown at 75mph on RTT. If in doubt, though, ignore the speed data shown on RTT - it's not helpful.

 

'Saphos' may provide a great service (I've not experienced it yet), but their blurb leaves a lot to be desired - this is an extract from their 'Sussex Belle' page and it's riddled with typos and grammatical errors, not to mention the return arrival time being an hour out! Their target market may want reassurance from something more professional-looking than this.

 

Or that the First Class description of tables for 4 or 2 shows an image of a compartment with 3 seats visible on one side!

 

These looks the provisional times for the Sussex Belle next Thursday:


Inbound ECS:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55215/2020-09-10/detailed
Out:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55209/2020-09-10/detailed
Return:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55210/2020-09-10/detailed
Outbound ECS:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55216/2020-09-10/detailed

 

Good to see Orpington is in the mix. More new track to tick off, particularly after the slight issue with the 'Golden Arrow' last year.

 

Certainly looking forward to seeing this, my first Saphos Trains tour, first encounter with Braunton and the first tour I've seen since March.

 

The timings are provisional, you must remember this. The Devonian Express got back into Cardiff some 90 mins after what was advertised. Saturday's trip to Cardiff is leaving Liverpool an hour earlier.

 

Indeed, but I would have thought it to be not that hard to update that bit of the blurb.

 

Yes, I noticed that and was wondering if they had somehow got only one on the other side, then I realised (with a near-literal slap of the forehead!) that the centre seat is probably left empty on each side to give two a side.

 

Thanks for those. I've noticed on RTT lately the phrase "service passed another here" (my bold) cropping up a lot - even at places where it's impossible (a working at Worcester Park showed it recently, for example). Also, it's always in the past tense, even well ahead of the event - a little odd. On the return, Tonbridge is an example of this, which, if accurate on the day, will give a standing start attack on Hildenborough bank (and, on the down trip, a standing start go at the 1 in 47 to Tunbridge Wells).

 

I am sure the 47 on the back will cope OK

 

I doubt anybody from their team is re-reading all that.

 

I've heard tomorrow is 46100 Royal Scot with 90002 on the Liverpool-Crewe section

 

90.002 top 'n tail 47.805 Liverpool Lime St to Crewe. On time arrival.
Load today: 6 mk.2s and 4 mk.1s, presumably plus support coach <BJ>

 

Not sure if I’m right (went to a brewery last night in Crewe) but the times in RTT differ from that given to passengers including crucially Shrewsbury departure of 09:46 after watering at Crewe Bank. Timings are 30 minutes or so later throughout after Shrewsbury.

 

Just dep Shrewsbury as per RTT at 09.12 not as it indicates on our tickets as 09.45. We joined at Crewe so no issue but would there be others joining at Shrewsbury?