Saphos Trains 2026

24th December until 15th January.

 

It will be interesting to see if SRPS fill any of the Scottish gaps. Given several of their charters were cancelled due to poor demand perhaps they have concluded the market was saturated this year.

 

Having twice seen 60007 at Waverley this summer I’m disappointed but not surprised that there are no Edinburgh trips in the Saphos programme next year as only 3 out of 6 ran (1 of the others 3 ran diesel hauled) and the others all had 60007 on them. Saying that there was huge disappointment in the cancellation of the SRPS steam trips this year. Here’s hoping that either (or both of) 60007/60532 reach Aberdeen next year given that both of them have links to the Granite City. Aberdeen has been massively under utilised for steam in the past few years and I hope there is more steam to Aberdeen next year although I doubt it because of perhaps a lack of market interest.

 

I hadn't realised that Saphos have that policy. It makes VT's policy, where a solo passenger cannot book a place at a table for two, seem ever stranger.

 

Something weird I've noticed on the newly published 2026 Saphos Brochure that Mayflower isn't listed under the locomotives section. Is Mayflower about to go out of ticket or just simply just been left out for some unexplained reason?

 

Blue peter in febuary and sir nigel gresely in march on the shap trips with 99£ fare

 

I have asked Saphos whether these two trips are planned to be unassisted steam on the steam legs and they have responded:

“We have requested that there will not be a diesel on the back of the train”.

Julian

 

As it is their own trip with their own loco who would they be asking "permission" from?

 

They are specifically promoting these as an opportunity to "measure the performance of our Class 8 Pacific locomotives", so that would imply there will be no diesel.

 

On paper this is looking like heaven. This is what many of us have all wanted. Pure steam with star locos at bargain prices. Only minor downside is no S&C return, though I may be asking a bit too much given the price.

 

Oh so nearly there, but the £99 for Euston-Crewe and return is a tad much, especially with peak time travel/hotels required in London for such a folly.

The £99 Crewe-Carlisle steam legs are decent value. Can't complain on that!

Maybe next time

 

There are cheaper fares to Crewe than £99 but you need to have to buy an advance both ways, which for a railtour comes with a serious amount of non refundable risk.
Also depends if you can get to Euston very early and back late at night. Hotels in Crewe will be way cheaper than central London.

Saphos standard class image shows a Mk1, do they have a TSO still?

 

Oh I was purely interested in the 50/55 trips

 

Novembers Duke trip had a standard class pressure vent Mk2, so opening windows

 

indeed yes, I was in that coach

 

Perhaps the marketing was poorly thought out. As one prepared to book at the last minute due to domestic arrangements I had already arranged accommodation for the week (fortunately with relatives) to photograph the Fife Circle and travel to Aberdeen. I wonder how many others were leaving it until the last minute before booking and whether gearing it to the Edinburgh Festival market was the right market to target.

 

Possibly Network Rail.

 

At the minimum Network Rail train planners need to know what is being requested at Carlisle for the shunt moves.