Saphos Trains

I have mentioned before how much more popular viewing these trains has become since lockdowns started. Whilst previously it would often just be me and the small person at our bridge, last night it was 2-3 deep!

Just out of interest where did she water coming south, looking at times Millom or Carnforth seem possible, she appears to have set off south from Preston immediately after coming off the stock so assume she didn't take water there?

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Arrived at 20:10, departed 20:38. Would’ve thought that’s plenty of time to take water from the hydrant.

 

Two more videos here of the Lakelander - slowed by arrangement - being whistled past Ravenglass during its 60th anniversary (+ 1) gala.

https://www.facebook.com/cumbrianrailways - Scroll down a bit.

Andrew N

 

34046 passing Shap Wells

 

The HST set for the Staycation Express Settle & Carlisle service has been unveiled: https://twitter.com/CharterRail/status/1414562239823196163

I quite like it. Wasn't a fan of the Pullman HST livery but this I think works. A deep green is a fine colour for a locomotive and the go-faster stripes echo the Coronation Scot livery. Alludes to the past without becoming a poor imitation. I'm for it.

 

Edit - ballsed up my posting

 

What length is it?

(I'm not a fan of the paintjob, sorry. a 1960s green with speed whiskers would be nice - If the blue one can get away without yellow ends, then presumably the same mods could be made to this one).

 

Presumably this is the full set.
2 power cars + 5 coaches:

 

Here's my video of the Staycation Express (a la the new LSL HST 5-car set) leaving Eastleigh for Crewe.

https://youtu.be/X4QAm9SzWd0

 

Does anyone have an insight into how Saphos are implementing social distancing on their trains?

Their website says that for the forseeable future (implying they don't plan to change things after 19th July) they are operating with a 40% reduction in passenger numbers and it also has a diagram showing that if a party of two book together, they will sit opposite each other at a table of four; the other two seats being left vacant.

However if you go to book two second class seats, it states you have a window and an aisle seat on a shared table for four.

I've emailed them for clarification, but not yet had a reply, so was just wondering if anyone else had come across this conflicting information and checked with them. I'm booked on a trip on 4th September and with the current surge of the delta variant of Covid, I'm rather hoping we shall not be sitting with two strangers breathing on us all day...

 

I'll be interested to see the reply. But I wonder if the word "shared" is just a clumsy & ambiguous way of confirming that you will share the table with the person you book with?

 

Yes, I'm hoping that, but to he honest not expecting it.

I'll update here if and when I hear in case anyone else is concerned about this ambiguity

 

I've had a reasonably reassuring reply from Saphos which says...

At the time your booking was made the regulations regarding social distancing were in place and we feel its unfair to change them now just because the government has relaxed the rules from 19 July, therefore we can assure you that social distancing will continue on all our trains until at least the end of the year. As you quite rightly state infections are on the increase and we don’t wish to put profit before the welfare of our valued customers by filling every seat – We hope you have a most enjoyable journey.

Not a specific assurance that there will not be passengers sitting opposite us, though the implication is there, so I've asked the specific question.

 

...and to conclude, yes, confirmation just received that we shall not be sharing a table with other passengers.

Full marks to Saphos, and I'm now looking forward to a trip involving fair few miles behind steam in September.

 

Blue Pullman HST times for Saturday's Preston to South Wales run are on RTT:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U68147/2021-07-17/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U68150/2021-07-17/detailed

Out via Hereford, back via Central/Heart of Wales line.

 

From my previous experience of the Central Wales line I fear for their lovely paint job!!

 

I raised this after SRPS stock was scratched by vegetation on the HofW line - surely the stock owner has a valid claim against Network Rail for this? Paint jobs don't come cheap!

 

Be warned! I've just seen the thing going south and it has a 2 tone green loco at the front! ☹️
The rest of the train was in light blue though including the loco at the back.

 

43058 is off the Staycation Set.