Dartmouth Steam Rly 2014 season

But the coach name boards stay?

 

I was wondering about that too.
Shame if they are.

 

It's OK to name Pullman Cars, though, I presume?

 

I would of thought for photo charters they should be authentic livery with WR crest !

 

I think all of the coaches from now on are going to be in this new livery. The name boards I think will stay but are photoshopped out if you see some of the shots from the charters online.

 

Not a difficult change to undertake with prepainted vinyl panels. Just a matter of getting the colour to match otherwise it would stand out like a sore thumb.

 

Why? - The railway is far too well run not have its coaches all named. The mums and dads who pay the bulk of the fares each year and thus the shareholder dividend have children who like the names. Each time we have traveled in the last few years we have overheard children comment favourably about the names. Parents who see their children happy to ride on the railway become repeat customers by choice and do not need expensive marketing to tempt them on the trains.





Brian

 

The assessment by Brian is right on the money. In recent years customer feedback has always commented favorably on fact that the locos and rolling stock have names and are therefore identifiable. This is a working railway not a museum and is very conscious of what the needs and aspirations of it customers are. Thomas and his friends have, over the years, taught young children - many of whom are now quite grown up - that trains need names if they are to become part of their experience and memory. Who is interested in a series of numbers, other than folks who spend a lot of time making telephone calls?

 

The main line railways have always been aware of the commercial benefit of names. Why else would we have the likes of Mallard, Clan Line, Tulyar and all the other named locomotives that have gone before? Named trains, as well, with the likes of the Flying Scotsman and Atlantic Coast Express and Pullman Car names, such as Robin and Amethyst. It is a long tradition. As railway enthusiasts, we may not like it but it makes sound commercial sense.

 

Miaaoowww.

 

To be honest the charter was not authentic nor were the coaches, it sounds like one thing was promised by the organiser and something different was delivered.

I have been on Russ Hillier charters where yellow stripes have been blacked out on locos, did the organiser not think of this for the coach names for this charter?

 

Before criticising one organiser whilst praising another - we don't know the conditions imposed by the railway. If those who paid to go on the event are happy then that's all that matters really.

 

No idea but those I've spoken to were happy with what they got. There may be other views from other participants of course.

 

My video (Mainly from the South Devon Railway) contains a few shots of the DSR at the end:



Lydham Manor both sounded and looked fantastic.

 

This is one view

 

Someone's been at the Photoshop (or its equivalent.)

 

I've asked the question of someone who was on it. I was told the railway would not consider the names being painted over as they are popular with the families who travel on the line. Vinyl panels were suggested but the general view of the participants was not do it as under certain lighting conditions the temporary panels can stand out like a sore thumb. So there you have it.

 

They were extremely blessed with the weather, considering it has been utterly diabolical! As for livery, good to hear they are going to do the same on all coaches. Logically, authentic is the way to go, as it caters for 100% of folks Joe public and enthusiasts. Understand the names being there - as it appeals to the majority revenue stream (Joe public) so a good compromise all round. Don't forget, not so long ago there was little or no accommodating peoples wishes, these days we have a black manor, more authentic coaches, photo charters, trains in Feb...