Skipton-Appleby Service: 20/7 to 12/9/20

I'd read the grauniad article about 125s.

Given where they are going and given the current emphasis on distancing etc, I would have thought they would have majored more on bicycles. With 2 power car guards compartments, you'd think there'd be room for more than 12 in one and have the other left over for storage

 

But they are not 125s.

 

1) is that definite? posts above show they've got a 125
2) I didn't know that when I wrote it. hence I was explaining my comment.

 

Stock confirmed as ex GA Mk3 first open coaches (four) and a Mk 2 BSK for storage/crew support. It will be top and tailed Class 47's and an LSL 47 has spent the week crew training/refreshing on the Skipton/Appleby route.

 

I wonder if there's any specific reason not to put a full brake in the consist?

I know I harp on about it, but lack of bike space is always cited as a reason for lack of uptake on leisure railways.

In fact, I'd go further and see if a bike hire business will want to offer an add-on hire service.

But then I'm not a rail operator

 

Maybe passengers, profitability, turnaround time, is more important than storage for bicycles.

 

Five vehicles and a 47 at each end.
Would a 6th vehicle make any real difference?
It won't carry any less passengers, it won't make any difference to train turnaround time (there may be a loading issue)
If you offer more cycle space, you may attract more passengers (you broaden from railtour passengers to people who want to go cycling and people who are willing to use cycling to go to an attraction nearby).
Everything is a cost/benefit analysis.

Profitability is what it is, what I am asking is if there is a physical reason (train length? time-keeping?) that blows it out of the water. How much extra fuel does the engine burn to shift the full brake

 

Possibly train length. If you want all the passenger vehicles on the platform then you may not be able to fit an extra coach in the platform.

Edit - if you can fit 12 bikes in the half brake, that's still probably 10 more than you can comfortably fit on a normal service.

 

Two comments.

1. This has been put together in a heck of a hurry with the co-operation of NR, Northern, LSL and other parties. Who knows what coaching stock was available and FTR at that notice.

2. I wonder how many bikers clubs from Otley, Ilkley, Keighley, Colne etc--- places you can get to Skipton for an 0830 departure--- would be interested in shelling out £34 per head for a day out to Appleby. That kind of thing needs marketing, advance discussions, the sort of thing there probably wasn't time for. Similarly the website is weak on what to do in/around Appleby for seven hours (!).

I agree with you that Appleby is a good bike destination with a mix of easy and hard days possible. But how big is the market? I wonder how many days they will exceed their twelve capacity.

 

Agreed re put together quickly, and agreed that 12 is at least 10 better than usual (in fact, I'd say 12 better...)

In terms of market, I simply don't know, but if Otley Wheelers want to do it, I'd guess there'd be more than 12 of them. But equally, to find things to do in Appleby for that long seems challenging for anyone not on a bicycle.

I can see a market that could be possibly be developed, and as a loco-hauled set, they would seem on the face of it to be freed of the usual multiple-unit constraints on the issue.

Get it right and you could grow a market for sustainable holiday-making that uses spare capacity to everyone's benefit.

 

oh well, that's a definite reason not to then. (possibly in non cov-19 times a goer, but not now).

 

An initial sneak peak at the aesthetics of the carriages used. Seems as though the RCS branding is being vinyled over the existing GA livery.

https://www.nodrogvlogs.uk/post/sneek-peek-rcs-coaches

 

Good bit on BBC breakfast this morning about yesterdays first run. Good weather helped the views and helicopter shots. Best bit of advertising they could have had.

 

There was a feature on it on ITV local news last night too. Pete Waterman interviewed while travelling. Interestingly the reporter stated "as it's a charter, face masks do not have to be worn on board".

 

There was also one on the Tyneside episode of the BBC's Look North too.

 

How many full brake coaches are available ? Most have presumably been turned down as half brakes are a very useful bit of kit for support vehicles / staff accomodation and you need a "brake" vehicle. The cost of keeping a full brake in a good state for the main line for bike conveyance will be very high. Never say never, is it 400% increase ridership since Covid? Perhaps find a rake and use them for the London / Brighton to remove all the hired lorries every year.

 

The rake of stock as used yesterday on the first day

 

Just watched BBC Breakfast on i-player about this. Looked as if most passengers were wearing masks.
I thought the service was booked 47x2 T&T but was that a green 37 at one end?

Yes! Fred's photo came on as I was typing!