The Tin Bath Extra

BJH are still going ? Not seen or heard of them since about 1978 ! Still, not quite in the same come back league as Mott the Hoople!

 

Dont know if BJH are still going but got lots of their albums

 

http://www.bjharvest.co.uk/

Concert dates etc

 

Would this tour be repeated again for a 3rd time does anyone think?

 

IIRC, the limiting factor is the introduction of "super trams" on some part of the Huddersfield - Barnsley route. Once work on that starts, normal stock won't fit. Not sure when it's planned to start. Have I got that right?

I'd really like to see at least one trip around the circuit in the opposite direction. The climb from Huddersfield to Penistone looks really scenic, and then there's the bit through the Hope valley, which is not bad either. I know it doesn't have the same all-out thrash of the climb from Barnsley to Penistone, but on the other hand, with (relatively) easier gradients, a single loco might be able to manage a viable load, so reducing everyone's overheads.

I hope that the tour companies don't try to run too many tours on this route, though. I wouldn't want them to become "commonplace". I fear that was part of the problem with The Cotton Mill...

 

The Tram Train plan for that route has been scrapped, at least in the medium term. Replaced by a scheme connecting Rotherham and the City Centre.

 

Good. So the Penistone route is available for excusion traffic, subject to the usual restrictions of paths in the timetable and locos that fit the loading gauge. In that case, we will probably see a few more tours through there in coming years.

 

Last i heard about the "Train Tram" Plan i read that theyre meant to run them in 2010 but not sure if this is still going to plan. Would an "A4" or "A1" or any "Pacific" would be able to run over this line again or do they weigh more than the Loading gauge

 

'A trial of the electric vehicles is planned on a new service linking Rotherham and Sheffield.'
'The scheme replaces a previously-announced tram-train trial on the Penistone Line, linking Sheffield and Huddersfield via Barnsley, which would have used diesel-powered vehicles.'

Full story on BBC web site.

 

One bad point when the one ran a few weeks ago was the rear of the train seemed quite empty?

 

I overheard a steward say the 2 rear coaches were extra and weren't supposed to be on. The length of the train caused a station manager to complain as it was out fouling some points and wanted it to move forward. It wasnt done as far as I could tell.
Tours would benefit from more daylight so late spring early autumn would be great. Not much fun riding in the dark.
A reverse direction would appeal more to me as I've done the tour twice now.

Brian

 

Ah right,it was the back 2 that were suspect,i was thinking at the time it was well down on loadings to have to pretty much completely empty coaches.....