Saphos Trains

Is that because the 40 cant provide power to the stock ? They must have used the generator car for last years run then.

 

Is it just that? There was a whole season (2018 from memory) when they ran most of their trips without diesel support. It was the year 70000 was setting records, or near records. Then came the episode at Bearsted Bank with the wrong load and the wrong weather, and after that they seemed to draw the conclusion that it was all too risky when actually a misjudgement had been made on one particular day.

 

Do they have enough Mk1's for a full rake yet? Ithought the plan was to have a full Mk1 set for steam tours eventually.
Of course operationally on the MTDR that may have been abandoned now.

 

Just checked my photo of the return train, the generator coach was used last year, behind D213 on the northbound train so on the rear southbound.

To add to that hasn't @torgormaig recently made comments on the new layout at Bristol making life more difficult.

 

They've also identified who their target audience is and it isn't the purist. They're also on the brink of owning/running the best fleet of steam locomotives in the country and while that should be celebrated, there's also a downside, for me, that these locos will never run solo as it currently seems to stand.

 

I completely agree. Once it is run in, I think a one off special from Crewe to Carlisle with SNG on its own and a separate diesel path if necessary would be very marketable at premium fares. If that isn't the Saphos brand, what about Inter-City? That seems more aimed towards the enthusiast.

 

I do not know, do you really think there are 400 enthusiasts who would pay a premium fare?

 

Another thing about the Saphos model (and their target market) is that you don't know for sure which of their excellent fleet you are going to get. So I'd say, presented as a one off or a rarity, SNG on its own, yes you might. After all, the GB tour is based on that model over nine days so I don't see why it couldn't work for a special day trip. We shall see how Pathfinder get on with their Tangmere trip in September which looks like a higher than normal fare perhaps for a lighter than normal load over the route. But then again, I'm only a punter.

 

I’m certainly not paying a premium to sit in an aircon MK3 where you can’t hear anything.

 

Not me Guv. I don't know Bristol that well, nor do I know how Saphos trains work. It is something when we have now come to fretting about diesels on the back ..... of diesel hauled trains. Welcome to the 21st century, guys.

Peter

 

Sorry Peter, I vaguely remembered someone commenting about Bristol recently, somehow thought it was you.

Scott

 

Charters to Bristol rarely use Barton Hill depot since the reconfiguration of the track work around Temple Meads. East Depot is often used for stabling charter stock. Since the withdrawl of the Great Western HSTs in the area, the under utilised St Philips Marsh depot is available for steam loco servicing. (BJ)

 

Both depots were used depending on loco owner and TOC for some years. The only reason that Barton Hill was favoured for a few years was due to remodelling of St Philips Marsh depot.
I notice that stock and locos are rarely stabled at Kingsland Road Sidings. Is this due to the resignalling or has the track finally been condemned?

As Big Al says, the railway is being slowly remodelled for standard formations. The Southern started the process in the 1930's.

Cheers, Neil

 

Coffins at the front today, like usual.

 

Very appropriate for Britannia to haul The Royal Charter today, seen here passing Old Linslade

 

You did better than me John, :- coasting towards the junction at Colwich, oh and the sun appeared about five minutes later.

 

You had further to go than me, just a three mile bike ride, makes a change from charging around in the car!