Saphos Trains 2020

Are they putting up screens like saphos ?

 

Have a read of https://westcoastrailways.co.uk/downloads/the-safe-way.pdf

Page 6: "We have fitted screens to each row of seats to improve the protection for passengers"

To be fair, it looks a pretty robust set of procedures.

 

It might be slightly early, but does anyone know what's meant to be on the Fellsman next Wednesday. Could it be Braunton as she's been in steam and the others haven't?

 

Originally it was supposed to be 70000 but the helpful bit showing the loco allocation has disappeared off of Saphos' sparkly new website.

Andrew

 

I've just received this magazine article from my friend, interesting section on Saphos. Supposedly 46100 will be on the front next week.

 

That contradicts what The Railway Herald's Railtours page says. They think 46100's first public train will be The English Riviera Express on Sun 26th. I wonder whose information is more up-to-date? In truth, all we know for sure is that the duties will be shared between 46100, 70000 & 34046. ;-)

 

I'm getting so desperate to see steam on the main line that they could put Thomas on it and I would be happy ....as long as it was in BR green. <BJ>

 

Indoor restaurants will now be allowed to operate in Wales from 3rd August, five days after the Pembroke Coast Express is due to run with dining cars. This ticket holder is hoping trains have an exemption in Wales!

 

Letter from Saphos this morning, the English Riviera on 9th Aug is cancelled. Little explanation why this particular train has been cancelled but I note it has gone from the website while other ERX remain.

 

Odd one to cancel. With no Torbay Expresses expected that to be a sellout.

 

These are seriously smart for an MK1 coach.

 

Locomotive Services paths from Crewe to Bristol via the Welsh Marches planned for Thursday 23rd & Friday 24th July.

Assuming the Thursday will be 46100 & 70000 plus support coach(es), with Friday the stock hauled by a 47? Can anybody confirm?

Times are up for the 'English Riviera Express' (the Torbay Express in disguise) via Bath & Westbury on Sunday 26th July - outward & return - and Sunday 2nd August via Weston - outward & return.

No times up for the Wednesday trips yet.

 

The screens look unobtrusive but anyone know (passengers from yesterday I guess) what it does to the airflow in a Mk1 if the toplights are open, draughts or is it not noticeable?
Likewise in a Mk2 I assume even in BR days some airflow modelling was undertaken to achieve maximum airflow efficiency, do the screens have any impact?

 

Some nice publicity for Saphos https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/rail-journeys/steam-train-post-lockdown/

 

Well to be fair two hours or two minutes doesn't really matter, they were first
There was a (not great imho) pic of the first Jacobite in the online paper as well so West Coast did get some coverage.

 

Been told the consist that was out on the 15th is their train for the rest of this year, including the Class 47 which has to be there to provide power for the Mk2s and also to assist with shunting. Non-dining seating is in Mk2s. Shame as they are the only one's doing summer trains to Kingswear and to Shrewsbury over the Marches. Not fans of dining on trains as it gets in the way of timing; and who wants to eat on an English Riviera Express when there's fresh fish and draught real ales to be had in Kingswear and Dartmouth? Not me. Shrewsbury not so much so will have a think about the Wales Border Express and hope the Class 47 stays on tickover as it did on the excellent filming posted from Wednesday.

 

Do you really suppose that these trains are run for the benefit of 'timers'? The dining is presumably a significant contrubutor to the revenue, which will have dropped considerably now. If the train doesn't suit you, don't use it and sit in your chip shop instead.