Scarborough Spa Express

Booked yesterday for the first run on June 2nd, decided that it was about time my youngest (5) experienced Steam on the Mainline...fingers crossed now!

 

Booked two first class tickets for the first August Scarborough trip my wife's first steam excursion !

 

Evening everyone,

Any ideas what locomotives might be in the frame for the first few tours?
Scots Guardsman, Galatea, Leander, 8F???
Or is it a suck it and see what turns up on the day...

 

According to info both on line and dead tree press, those 4 plus 44932 are in the pool for the SSEs

 

Personally would prefer a LNER loco on these to make it attractive.

 

It's WCRC's party though, isn't it? There's a shortage of LNER motive power in their stable - but Black 5s were regular visitors to Scarvegas

 

Certainly got no interest in it Mark, however if a LNER loco was added, would think about it.

When the NRM ran it with FS, 2 trips a day, thought they got it very right, no need for a circle route, just make you way to York, then off to Scarborough.

Cost was very affordable, and a great way to showcase the loco, would love to think they think about re-visiting it, with their stable.

Also have 55002 to act as thunderbird if required????

 

WC has used hired locos in past years so maybe 61306 might get an outing as running in or even 60103 if its schedule permits.

 

Isnt the Steam sector - the cheapest you can get for a main line steam trip ? (currently £26.10 with offer)

 

I wonder what proportion of the non-dining traffic will get on/off at York. Quite high I reckon. One minor advantage is that you see it coming into the station. I've been from York before and the folks already on the train didn't even know what was on the front.

If only Drapers of Hull had been another Woodhams we might have a few more LNER locos. A B17 would be wonderful.

 

What about the Shakespeare Express That's about £20 isn't it?

 

£25 http://www.shakespeareexpress.com/se/se_booking.htm

 

£12.50 from stratford if booked in advance!

 

True, presumably this is to encourage people to start at Stratford as one assumes most go from Brum to Stratford (I know I would).

 

Agreed, Guy, but when all is said and done, WCRC are a business, and they're primarily aiming at the 'normals' to travel on these services, not gricers, so why pay hiring fees instead of using their own assets?

My own feeling is that we may see FS on SSEs in due course. Not this year & probably not next year either, but 2018 might well be being considered. The FS 'hype' will be in need of a reboot by then, methinks

 

The thing Mark is that they let the SSE express idea slip to another operator, when they had a perfect showcase for their locos that were in ticket.

Always found that strange, and as I said before, not a fan of the current format, the idea of a noon start, and return at either 2pm or 5pm, was a great format.

However.......

 

Quite so, Guy. Funny old world...

I'm still hopeful that the York-Shildon shuttles idea can be resurrected. I did one with 6201 and 5972. Standing by the open window of a door in the front lobby of the first coach as 5972 returned us north was a cracking experience for one young family member who my wife and I had taken out for the day . Pretty enjoyable for me too, it has to be said