Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway Updates

Embsay Diesel Gala / Beer Festival 2024 - https://www.embsayboltonabbeyrailway.or ... cOlciKPZIA

 

As it's now public knowledge... there is, or has been, a filming contract under way at Embsay using Eastern Rail Services Class 31 & Mk2s in IC livery.

The 31 is staying for the diesel and beer gala.

 

Some footage from a really wonderful winterscape on Saturday morning with A class 52322.

 

Oh, that is just delightful.

 

Lovely video. Thank you for standing in a freezing field for our enjoyment. The way the steam hangs in the cold air on the return journey is remarkable.

 

Worth it for the sound track alone.

 

Thanks very much the conditions were just beautiful on Saturday morning. The crews and staff doing a heroic job to get the train running, at 8am it was -8.5 and a thick fog at Embsay. They had to light fires on the points to get them deiced. The breakfast diners were certainly treated to a fantastic (if delayed) journey.

To be honest I did it for my enjoyment really! Haha. Agreed, the steam trail on the last clip was amazing, it was still there about 15 mins later when I was back at the car but also in those 15mins the visibility dropped to about 20m and then cleared out completely again.

It did sound lovely and could be heard for a very long time.

 

Three photos including the drone.

 

Stunning! Great to see the CCT in action following a rapid overhaul.

 

It's good that a few railways were open last weekend as conditions were superb for photography - I just hope that the heating was working for the passengers! Down here, 34053 was working on the Spa Valley and although we also had blue skies (Scroll down on this thread for @Davidlikestrains' pictures; I think I was about half a mile away from him when he took the first picture), the general level of snow covering unusually decreased as I headed north towards Kent - it's normally the other way round. No complaints, but satisfied as I was with my picture, it doesn't compare with these superb images.

 

We were just lucky to be able to capture these. I always think there's a day like this a year somewhere, it's just if your the lucky one(s) who get to see it. I may not be the fortunate one for another 10 years but it could be you that gets the snow next time. As long as you're happy with your photos nothing else matters

 

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I see from the latest Embsay Newsletter that they are already plugging their Polar Express trains for 2025. I have nothing against Embsay, but really. . .? Can't we at least get Easter out of the way first!

 

I've seen a few lines promoting them already. KESR were advertising their Santas last month!

 

A sign of desperation?

 

Not remotely. We have found that people are asking us, in December, when they can book for next year! Also, it allows families to spread the cost of Christmas by paying for things early. It also benefits the railway, as a steady income stream throughout the year, rather than lean times when we're not running, and then one big lump at the end of the year. Frankly, I'm only surprised that more railways aren't doing it.

 

It makes a lot of sense, especially for getting extra funds in the bank after winter maintenance etc.

 

Absolutely. It also means, if all goes well and demand is so great that things start selling out, the railway has more time to look at whether they are able to offer more seats (either by chucking an extra coach on or running more services) and then give more time for those extra seats to be filled.

 

It also catches all those who missed the booking for 2024 before they get distracted and do something else.

It does create a bit of a risk if cancelled as you should presumably have to make provision over the year for refunds.