The Fylde Coast Express 5th June

Overalls and a sooty face should have been his permit for entry Ralph !

 

Not surprised Ralph. The problem at BPN is that staff turnover seems very high. There are lots of new faces 'assisting' at the barriers and none seem to have a railway background, nor the required knowledge to do the job with any lasting credibility. When I first worked in the industry, railways were a way of life - now its just a job between jobs for many.

 

How does Scarborough handle this issue? There are many Steam Tours into Scab and the same issue must raise it's head.

Always strikes me that Blackpool should be a Steam Destination like Scab if only there was an easy way to turn the loco. This tour had six hours in Blackpool so brought hundreds of tourists into the town either on board or to see and photo the loco. Tourism Department take note...

 

Scarborough is an open station or it was last year when I visited by steam. Nobody stopping photos being taken. Very relaxed no problems.
Blackpool could be the same if a turntable or a easy way to turn the loco was found. There looks like there was a triangle at one time looking at the map on the line off to Fleetwood.
Brian

 

There was Brian, at Poulton Le Fylde.

 

And I understand the base of a turntable still exists at BPN

 

Accentuated by the zoom it probably looks a lot worse than it is ?

 

Page 1.1 of the 2007 Blackpool Task Force Report would appear to confirm what you say.

 

Scarborough, I've even known them to announce the train when it backs in for 'anyone who wants to see a steam loco'

 

We just have to accept that some people don't think that steam should have a place on the 21st century railway.
After all we are slow and often their trains have to be slightly re-timed or re platformed to accommodate us and they see this as disruption to the smooth running of their business.
But attitudes can and do change. Who would have thought 3 years ago that FGW would go to such extraordinary lengths to make The Bristolian the amazing success it was?
Okay they saw a financial advantage and some excellent free publicity. And why not?
But now that partnership has started to work it's important that we don't let it slip and that those of us who work on the trains go on to prove that although being mostly volunteers, we are just as professional as anyone else who works on the railway.
And the people who turn out to see us either at the lineside or stations should be aware that in some cases we are there on sufferance, and should endeavour to keep out of the way as much as possible. If this means at times putting up with the sort of attitude at Blackpool just accept it and go along with what is asked of you.
It's only by us showing that we can exist alongside the modern railway without causing problems that we will change attitudes.

 

Blackpool needs every tourist pound it can muster. Rail tours have the potential to disgorge 100's of passengers from the train to spend money in the resort. The longer the stopover, the greater in take. In addition to the passengers, there will be many enthusiasts who will visit the town and also put money into the local economy. Some of those may well have used Northern Rail to get there.

Blackpool Tourism and Northern Rail would do well to have a discussion on how to make BPN more welcoming. On the other side, as has been eluded to, enthusiasts need to show they can peacefully co-exist.

 

Had a great day with the brilliant 47270 and 6233 on Saturday

My shots now up at:

http://mark-walker.fotopic.net/c1858216.html

Cheers,
Mark

 

Some great pics there mate, from what looked to be a nice day in Blackpool.

Oli

 

Just put a vid up of 47270 storming away from Chesterfield and "Heading for home" towards the former Tinsley TMD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJWA3y_pQTA

Cheers,
Mark

 

Thanks for the link Ralph, very interesting article.