Saphos Trains

I notice the Statesman ran this week with a full rake of Mk2 pullmans, ok and Mk1 kitchens, does this mean the Saphos trips will be a full rake of Crimson/cream this year, does anybody know?

 

Yes, Hull to Blaenau Ffestiniog and back. Here it is on the return near Littleborough. D1935 on the front with 47593 as rear gunner.
Some buildings and scaffolding have been photoshopped out!

 

A shot of Saturday's paraffin cans trip over the S&C whilst awaiting the kettles! Waitby I should add if anyone doesn't recognise the location.

 

This two tickets minimum policy is a real pain, although of course I understand their reasons.

I just rang their office about the trip to Holyhead this Bank Holiday Monday, just three working days away. She confirmed they had "plenty" of tables available in First Class Non Dining but couldn't sell me a single ticket. Surely at this late stage they would rather have a table with a single paying passenger sitting there than a table with no paying passengers?

Anyway, rant over, sorry.

 

Looking at the timings for tomorrow's Fellsman, there's no steam loco shunt move forward off the stock, just a drag back from Platform 3 after which the train is being turned on the triangle, then being serviced on the GL before being dragged back into the station. A tailgunner must be going along.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U53420/2021-05-26/detailed

 

Seems that is the way they play it. Statesman trips are usually top and tail 47s.

 

I thought the tours with 70000 and 46100 were unassisted the last 2 years.

 

RTT showing Braunton and 47.805 for today’s Fellsman.

 

Still then hybrid rake. Lots of shovage out of Crewe.

 

7 mins late from Crewe as charter arrived just 3 mins before departure time.

11 coaches today. Mk 2s at the front. <BJ>

 

The Pendle Dalesman is the one for the purists, Saphos is for the armchair enthusiasts, with posh grub. That could all change after June 21st, as apparently all their tours will be diesel assisted until the end of all restrictions.

 

If they have a long enough train without coffins. Anyone know how many other non-aircon carriages they have that are serviceable? It's a shame their Generator Car doesn't seem able to cope with the loading required on the train which was always a hybrid. It managed well for best part of a year but hasn't been seen since.

 

Oh it has been seen, just it's bolted on to Hosking's private train.

 

Got to keep the big boss happy when he’s testing to see if a light switch is at the correct height in the middle of Scotland...

James

 

I think Saphos announced when they started that all their steam tour would have diesel assistance.

Nothing to do with Covid.

Andrew N

 

They did. But in 2019, they operated many of their tours without a diesel, very successfully too.

 

Lunds. In damp air. The change in wind helped disguise the stock mismatch. View attachment 59857

 

Any news on Monday's NWCE as far as motive power is concerned?

 

Just received a letter to say that the Aberdonian tour on 25/07/21 which I had booked on has been cancelled due to operational constraints. Very sad news and having just checked the website the Elizabethan has disappeared as well.

 

Seen on Railcam just now - 45231 waiting complete with Irish Mail headboard !