Waverley 2015

Does anyone know why the Waverley planned for today was cancelled ?

 

It was cancelled a good few days ago, so I suspect the reason was low bookings.

 

Very sad if that's the case, but to be honest i used to travel on this every year - it was great to be able to board a steam hauled train at your local station for a day trip over the finest railway in these islands. Over the last few years the time allowed in Carlisle has diminished and doesn't make it worthwhile now ( used to take the wife and have lunch and a stroll around)- and it would appear that steam is now scheduled for Hellifield- Carlisle - Hellifield so its a non-starter for me at nearly 70 quid a pop.

 

In addition, there is now the twice weekly Dalesman, which also starts/finishes at York and is virtually the same trip as The Waverley.
So far, The Waverley for next Sunday is shown as running but the one for 2nd August is now cancelled apparently.

 

Can't ignore the Dalesman effects either, providing more opportunities for essentially the same product. Is there enough custom to fill three trains per week on the same itinerary?

 

I think getting Flying Scotsman do to Waverley duties in 2016 might make for a good selling point on these tours. Does anyone else like this idea?

 

The times are up on Realtime .

York to Carlisle . http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54350/2015/07/26/advanced

Carnforth to Hellifield . http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54352/2015/07/26/advanced

Carlisle to York . http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U54351/2015/07/26/advanced

 

45690 in steam at carnforth.

 

45690 Leander on Sunday 26th July....



Thanks.

 

Good to see no diesel involved on the steam leg. Hopefully it will stay like that for the rest of the Waverley's.

 

45690 at a wet and windy Shotlock tunnel and Kirkby thore .

 

Interesting to see the Waverley merits 10 paying coaches compared to the Dalesman which has has a couple less normally on essentially the same itinerary.

 

Different advertising methods? Weekend Vs mid week?

 

Talking about advertising, RTC are STILL advertising the train thus 'Our steam hauled train leaves York at 09:30...' and the same on the return 'Our train leaves Carlisle for the return journey at around 16:15 and climbs almost continually for just under 50 miles back up to Ais Gill summit. We stop, en route, at Appleby for our steam locomotive to take on water and to pick up those passengers who spent the afternoon there. We continue to stops at Skipton, Keighley, Shipley, Leeds, and York, to set down passengers'. No mention whatsoever of the revised itinerary of diesel haulage from York to Hellifield and return. Just as well it's a cheapie.

 

Hi Guys,2 photographs of Leander working the outward "The Waverley" on 26/07/2015,photographs taken at Langcliffe
https://www.flickr.com/photos/garstangpost/19437333294/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/garstangpost/20065586251/in/dateposted-public/

Best Wishes Tony

 

Could well be the last summer of these trains - i got an offer via the web of £10 off tomorrows train - obviously they aren't filling too well, as i previously said too little steam mileage and too little time in Carlisle now to make it attractive for me - a great shame as we always had a Sunday out on these trains in the past.

 

If it is to be the last, what loco is likeliest?

 

Suspect the problem is the earlier moratorium due the WCRC suspension which has affected the advertising, created uncertainty and prevented regular travellers from "taking a risk". Travelling on Wednesday's charter from Southport - Edinburgh, the stewards noted that there had been a number of late bookings but sufficient to make the train profitable. I suspect that the WCRC suspension has had a greater impact than the charter satiation that many are blaming.

 

45690 on today been told .