West Somerset Steam Express: 24/07/21

Hi all,

Undecided about my shot taken just west of Theale this morning - tried something slightly different and could be better but anyway.

 

I think it has worked well

 

Anyone knows where sh'e having a drink on the way back ?? Or is the trip diesel hauled back to London

 

Pewsey. Just approaching now, but there's a late running freight ahead of us

EDIT
Now changed to Woodborough loop - there's been a LC issue further along, hence the delay to us and the freight, as we both had to be stopped so that the drivers could be briefed by the signaller. I suspect we are about to lose our path.

 

Pewsey

 

Done well to get away quickly though. Plymouth IET a bit behind you but perhaps he'll have to stop for a chat aswel !!!!

 

looks like he did, but he's moving again now. I expect us to restart once he passes us.

 

Messed up your timings..great shame. Penzance well behind you, so should get to Reading quickly then relief line to London. Just shows how easily an excursion can get delayed when there's so much else on the track. But you've surely enjoyed the day with a Jubilee

 

The bad news is they’ve let the 21.14 local from Berwyn out ahead of you

 

45596 'Bahamas' attack Brewham - West Somerset Steam Express - 24/7/2021 - YouTube

 

Seen passing Oath on the outward leg. https://www.flickr.com/photos/79185888@N04/51332686462/in/dateposted-public/

 

RTC’s attitude to Covid protection is why I cancelled and I agree that’s me finished with them for a while. There is still quite a high chance of catching the virus even if double jabbed. Our trips with Clan Line on UKR will both be in a group of 8 across the coach. At least we won’t be with strangers

 

Thanks for that account. I am now enquiring about social distancing on a different promoter's railtour next month. If it's going to be anything like yesterday's I won't be on board.

 

Looking at Opentime train maps they also let the late running local from a Bedwyn out ahead of you which must have meant more time lost along the Berks and Hants line.

 

On the SD trip to Salisbury they only had about 200 on board and we weren’t allowed to walk the train to sell any merchandise or raffle tickets. Possibly a little bit too cautious but there were no complaints from passengers so probably worth it in the long run

 

Here my video of the train.. had a great day seeing Bahamas twice on the main line at Strap Lane and Clanville near Castle Cary.
Only just got to Churchlands on the WSR for the double headed Manors but worth the chase for a nice shot and sound,
Had lunch at Stogumber with the bonus of seeing double header again the the various ECS movements.
On to Crowcombe for the return.
All in all a great day and thanks to the West Somerset Railway for a wonderful effort on the day, from the condition of the locos and coaches, which was outstanding ,all the staff who were brilliant all day, the organisation of movements right down to the wonderful pasties and cream teas at Stogumber.

 

John

That trip was a day before lockdown restrictions were eased, and they have a wealthy owner who might be able to cover the losses for running at reduced capacity.
Mainline steam fare are based on high capacity. While fares on preserved rail have increased by selling by the compartment or table, making some very expensive for single travellers, the fares on mainline steam haven't increased.There are a lot of single travellers on mailine steam and is unlikely that they would find enough to pay for a table of four or even for 2 seats to make a train viable.
It has always been said that the profit is in the last coach. Take a typical 11 coach train less support and kitchen Car leaves 9 of which you need to fill 8 to cover your costs which equates to 89% of the capacity.
In 2019 when I travelled on 4 days of the Great Britain I was told ( by a regular ) that it needed to fill circa 70% of capacity to make it viable, but the first class fares on it are circa £ 30.00 per day more than a standard day trip.
The trips that have been running since Covid are likely to have been at a loss ( regulur repeat trips like the Jacobite might be the exception) and while some have wealthy owners or high reserves to cover the loses, the others will need to start running near fully capacity just to survive.

Paul

 

I think everybody understands the economics of the situation but that still won't make everybody happy to travel on a full train right now. Clearly a number of correspondents on there do not feel confident of the situation right now and considering that a number may be a little advanced in years I think that's quite understandable. I am 57, in pretty good health and am not unduly worried about catching Covid in my day to day life. What I will not do however is put myself in a risky situation if there is no need to. To me, main line railtouring is fun but not a necessary activity and not worth risking your health for. I'm happy to wait a while longer if I have to.