ScotRail Steam

Cheers for the info rule55, it was worth a try!

 

That is dreadful, must be an unwanted record for Tornado. Lets hope lessons have been learned and someone else is given the chance to plan a steam program, clearly Brora wasn't the right destination for the Sunday.

 

I think they were more interested in the logistics than the loadings. Despite the short train some sections were tightly timed to get to passing points with service trains on single track sections. We didn't see any advertising for the trains in either Glasgow Station or Stirling and our friends from Scotland said they hadn't seen any posters or brochures on any station. They weren't apparently allowing pay on the day either. I'm sure they will get it right next time. Scotrail personnel were very open in saying they want there to be more steam hauled trains and Inverness is likely to be a regular destination/starting point.

One thing about Sunday's train. We were surprised to see Tornado at the station end of Inverness Station when we arrived. Bob Hart, the DBS Traction Inspector told us the notice had the train being propelled out to Milburn Junction in the morning and being propelled back from the junction into the station on our return, something fairly unique these days and a first for me in over 30 years of travelling on steam hauled trains in the UK.

 

Presumably there was some reason why this train had to use one of the platforms that are only connected to the line towards the east. But it does raise the interesting question of when propelling movements can be made with passengers aboard and when with only train crew.

 

I assume there are some special operating instructions for Inverness as propelling in and out of the platforms is quite common. Propelling movements between the Far North/Kyle lines and the Highland line platforms seems to be the most common, but I have also been a tour returning from Aberdeen which propelled in to the Far North platforms (around a sharp curve in the dark!).

 

Details now available for the 'Border Railways Journey' trips are available on Scotrail and Steam Dreams websites

 

http://www.scotrail.co.uk/scotland-by-rail/steam-trains

Wed/Thu/Sun between September 10th and October 18th

First class adult: £75; First class child: £75
Standard class adult: £40; Standard class child (under 16): £20
Standard class family (2 adults, 2 children): £100

Ticket includes train travel on ScotRail services on the day of travel to and from the steam train

 

10:52 Dep Edinburgh, and a 16:02 arrival back (slightly later on a Sunday). That should open up the trip to many south of the border too & I urge those of you who can to support this. Given that Scotrail runs to Carlisle too..
I would be seriously tempted by this if only I didn't have so many other commitments during September & October. Scotrail PLEASE consider doing some seasonal specials during December. This would be the perfect trip to combine with some Christmas shopping or a Hogmonay break in the best & friendliest city in the British isles. I would then book on this like a shot.

Does anyone know what the arrangements are for the return, given the lack of a run round loop? Can a diesel be positioned to perform a shunt release at Tweedbank?

 

That's my understanding. But, for £40 ( and factoring in the free Scotrail travel to and from Edinburgh), an A4 over Falahill is worth every penny.

PS DBS crews won't be requesting a shove from the back (unless it goes completely Pete Tong of course!)

 

How far south do Scotrail operate on the east coast line? Just wondering whether it would be possible to travel up from York or Leeds ?

 

The main problem is the Carlisle - Edinburgh journey (TPE / Virgin only) or the Berwick - Edinburgh route (Cross Country / Virgin only - ScotRail only begins services from Dunbar).

For those in the Preston area I have done a quick check that shows a 06:58 TPE Preston - Edinburgh service that arrives at 09:37 and a return Virgin service at 16:52 or TPE service returning at 18:13 with a TPE Advance fare of £11:20 each way or the returning Advance Virgin fare of £15:00. At that price the £40:00 Steam add-on makes a reasonable day out - especially for those with discounted Senior Railcard fares.

 

Does anyone know if 'The Garrison' is still running from Fort William on 5th September? Can't find any adverts for it.

 

If Scotrail operate as far south as Carlisle on the west coast, they might also have been mistaken as far south as Berwick on the east coast ???
Maybe the border's moved recently, the SNP are currently on a mission

 

Berwick Rangers FC plays in the Scottish League - if that's any help in proving your case !

 

Yes Fred but Berwick FC ground is in gods county,Northumberland,





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