Welsh Marches Express 12/05/18 (Saphos)

As I pointed out on the 35018 thread, it hasn't needed a few superb recent performances by BIL to prove what good engines the Merchant Navies are. Another certain member of the class has consistently been putting in some superb performances for some years now . Still, if 35018's assault on Shap encourages the chaps at Crewe to get cracking with 35022 and 35027, I for one won't be complaining!

 

It would kind of make sense for MN18 to go to LSL with potentially more of those coming on stream later, but what do 10a get in return, Britannia ? Royal Scot ? surely they are both ' icons of steam' and not likely to be let go.

 

In no way was it suggested MN18 join the LSL fleet, only it act as an inspiration to LSL to get its pair overhauled. The main point being MNs could be the 8P backbone of both fleets because they survive in relative abundance and are gauge friendly. The return of MN18 has merely served to provide a reminder of the type's capabilities.

 

Apologies, wondering off onto WIBN land. The desire to get all the ducks in a row / pigeons in holes in the giant train set that is the UK preservation movement is very strong, easy to forget that a group of individuals who have given up decades restoring these machines are not keen to let them wander off even if they are far away from their origins and not ideal for their current homes...

 

Suspect there is at least 3 unrestored MNs for which no reasonable offer would be rejected. Plus 35029 is mechanically very good apparently ....

 

So there we have it. Early promise is a little jaded. Standard stuck in sealed units. Diesel there for emergencies and stock management replicating other operators and shoving along when they said they would not. Overloading trains to make the extra buck at the cost of quality. BUT, it is their trial period so maybe things will improve.

 

It is early days but first impressions count a great deal. Given the context of launching the Saphos venture and those involved it might be expected every measure would be taken to create a character to distinguish from the way things might be done by others. Not so, apparently.

 

The Cardiff route is a challenging one but the declaration of intent made at launch looks pretty hollow if there is a glaring mismatch with operational necessity. Beggar the cost and make it a steam double header if needs be to establish the values of how it is intended to conduct business?

 

You're very good at coming up with WIBN ideas and endlessly speculating, aren't you?

 

How tediously predictable. Your routine expression of dissatisfaction with my comments has no constructive purpose and frankly betrays a little immaturity. Find a new story, Mr Puddicombe?

 

Oi! what about me , I thought I was good at that as well

 

Be interesting to see what happens when the trains are not being run on a shoestring at heavily discounted fares, may be a few more quid in the bottom line to reduce loading's to be more motive power appropriate.

The Mk2's thing is never going to work for many, for the same reasons I just do not understand the idea that the A1ST are planning mk3's which will be even worse, rather takes the ambiance out of it although depends where your target audience is, if it fine dining possibly so but not for cheese butty tours?

 

Post #43 quoted "None of our trips are planned to require a banking engine, therefore you will enjoy the experience of a steam hauled journey without any diesel assistance." However the previous paragraph on the same web page says "Our trains will not be assisted by diesel traction from the rear of the train unless authorised to do so as part of an out of course situation, or as a banking engine at specific locations as authorised by Network Rail."

That seems contradictory. And anyway it is on the Icons of Steam website, not that of Saphos Trains, which is the promoter of these tours.

As others have said, more Class 8s would help a lot.

 

I will accept there may be a "loss leader" element to the first series of trains but cannot agree things are being done on a "shoestring budget", given the nature of the supporting businesses.
Maybe it's just a growing pains issue, but I would think creating a basis which sets Saphos/LSL apart from the established players will be key to a successful future.

 

In the long run, for a Mark 2, and even a Mark 3, opening windows are a possibility as the design for opening windows, and no doubt a bit of the hardware, exists, but like everything else it comes down to cost... if the feedback comes back to Saphos 'Thanks for the cheap trip, but I sha'n't book full price to sit in an aircraft fuselage' then a rethink on the Mark2s/ more Mk1s maybe the only way to stay in the game. They look smashing externally and I expect are quite smart internally as well though. Certainly Mrs C8M would prefer not to have the Draught and Rattle of an old mk1

 

Possibly showing my ignorance of modern rolling stock here, I cannot comment on mk2's but where has the opening window design been done for a mk3, and as they are of monocoque design will changing the window design affect crashworthiness (Are the windows D/G'ed - we don't get such things in the provinces up here!), people getting ejected through the windows seems to be the principle danger to rolling stock? Add to that the effect that opening windows has on A/C and it just doesn't seem to add up or really seem worthwhile, just one person having a window cracked would potentially make the A/C superfluous for the inhabitants of the whole carriage

Going back to my earlier point it rather depends on what market the operator is aiming at, if its fine dining and the suited and booted travller then possibly they will value environment over what can be heard outside, Looking at the Saphos prices take the discount away an they seem to be roughly on par with others, so possibly its a price travellers will have to pay for the extra comfort?

 

Indeed. The concept of a loss leader is to attract customers. The product is sold at the quality normally expected. That loss leader then generates returning customers and in this case references for new customers. It would appear on this one that quality has been sacrificed. A good reputation is hard to earn but easily lost.

 

And 10 A is not likely to let 18 go, I reckon with the way it's turned out that hell will freeze over before 18 leaves Carnforth.
I never saw Bulleid locos. in the 50's, we had plenty of good machine oop 'ere to keep us satisfied, but from what I've seen in preservation..................they're good.