Railmotor on the Liskeard-Looe branch?

Hi everyone,

Reading the latest Steam Railway magazine, I was under the impression that the Railmotor was going to visit the Liskeard-Looe branch in early November. However, I am a little confused in that it explains that each ticket will cost £25, but I can't remember reading where you could book (I don't have the magazine with me as I type)... I am contemplating visiting the branch, having never done so previously, but do not want to waste £50 on a train ticket to Liskeard if the RM isn't actually running.

I presume that the plan still is for the RM to run on the branch on the 4th and 11th of November 2012? Any details would be appreciated!

Talking to a chap a few weeks back, he mentioned that talks are/were underway to use 9466 for 'towing' duties from the B+W!

Thanks in advance

James at SVN

 

You're not the only one to be asking the question. A group of us are keen to do this but little point in making arrangements until the runs etc. are confirmed.

 

I think it odd that there are very few 'set-in-stone' details, which in the end might put me off. I appreciate these are different circumstances to most railtours, in that there is no OC as such, but would've expected the GWS and B+W to be advertising this everywhere, or at least give some acknowledgement that the trips will happen?

Strange... Would quite like a trip on it - don't normally have the money to go on Main Line steam

James at SVN

 

Yes, I am looking high and low as well for booking details. Strange Steam Railway should announce the dates but provide no booking details. No doubt if passenger numbers are low at the event the operators will be looking for an explanation! One thought is there may be no booing agent.

 

A thought - maybe they are being deliberatly quiet with advertising because demand is expected to far outstrip supply ?, remember it's effectively load 1, not a Pacific on 12.

 

Has the mainline acceptance process been completed yet? Until it has been, any actual operation can only be provisional. Indeed, there could be non-public test run required at some point (although the various runs on private lines would probably be at a similar speed to that necessary for the Looe branch!)

Steven

 

It's got to be advertised somewhere, even if only locally and then the world will know via the internet, grapevine etc.

 

From what I understand, yes it has been ML registered - it can only do 25, with no standing passengers and MUST have a video camera at either end connected to a GSM radio phone and GPS.

James at SVN

 

But it is down to run up and down the branch 10 times a day, and running on 2 days only. I think the passenger limit is 40(?) per trip, so in all 800 people could have a go on it...

I hope some form of confirmation comes soon, I need to book the time off work!

James at SVN

 

Didcot Railway Centre has issued a press release giving details of the proposed operation and how to get tickets. It's already being promoted by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership.

"Tickets for the return journey from Liskeard to Looe cost £25 each and can be booked from TicketWeb or phone 08444 771000 (booking fees will apply). There will be five return trips both Sundays, with the train carrying 54 passengers each time. Tickets must be booked for a specific service at the times below. It will not be possible to leave or join the train at Looe, so all journeys start and finish at Liskeard. The train operations are still subject to approval by the Office of Rail Regulation.

Provisional timetable for Steam Railmotor train operations on 4 and 11 November
Liskeard dep 08.30
Liskeard arr 10.10

Liskeard dep 10.30
Liskeard arr 12.10

Liskeard dep 12.30
Liskeard arr 14.10

Liskeard dep 14.30
Liskeard arr 16.10

Liskeard dep 16.30
Liskeard arr 18.10

Journey time is approximately 40 minutes in each direction. It will not be possible to leave or join the train at Looe. Passengers are asked to note that there are no toilets on the train, so please plan accordingly."

The press release starts by saying "...arrangements are rapidly coming together..." so there may be a few changes still to come.

 

That is excellent news Mark, thank you very much for posting this. I can now plan my day around this

James at SVN

 

See Didcot Railway Centre | News | Latest News

 

This might be the better link to follow in case people are too eager with the booking and find they have to get themselves to Liskeard for 8.30am on a Sunday morning............

TicketWeb

 

I am accompanying a steam nut who is on the railmotor but im not, I will be videoing the event and wondered if anybody has a gradient profile of the line?? Ive seen it in print saying there are some 1 in 40 climbs in places and would like to plan my day...

 

The steepest climb is from Coombe Junction up to Liskeard but between Coombe Junction and Looe it follows the river along the valley floor so no stiff climbs on that section that I'm aware of.

 

Tickets booked for this. Going to be a long day as we're driving from Bedfordshire and back again but even though it looks like being "light railway" speeds, it's the fact it's on the national network that appeals.

 

Thanks for that.. I have been looking at the line its almost tree lined over most of its length so opportunities for video will be limited and as the videoing world and their husband/wife will be out for it looks like it will be a challenge...
I seem to remember a Upper Class twit of a land owner getting uptight about people on "His" and when the pannier did it some time ago so time to get studying the maps....

 

Most shots I've seen of this line, particularly when the Pannier was there, were from around this point :
Streetmap.co.uk- search results for 224860,55569 various positions both at river level and up the hillside
cornwallworthviewing: Looe valley Steam Railway or The Daily(ish) Millbrook: September 2010 or Video of Steam Train on the Looe Valley Line, September 2010
one or two from here :
Streetmap.co.uk- search results for 225287,53819
and a couple along here :
Streetmap.co.uk- search results for 224999,56494
The Looe Valley Railway | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

Thats fantastic .. I really appreciate that.. will study it and make good use of it. many thanks once again..

I had though about having a rowing boat(no seriously..) for the stretch where the railway is right on the banks of the river...

 

You're not the only one who's thought about taking to the water for a shot. I need to check first but IIRC a mate of mine saying one landowner opened up a field for a small fee - may be thinking of somewhere else though. Hoping to make good use of round trips 2, 3 and 4 for photographs and then ride the last as it will be dark for most of the trip. Just wish it wasn't such a long way from home but these things have to be done.