Saphos Trains 2026

One of the problems with charter trains is that they regularly stand for long periods so the flow through toplights is lost and you're effectively in a hot house.

 

A surprise move by Saphos to consider trialing air con on mk1s which i feel is disappointing. If you don't want to be hot, then travelling on a train in the peak of summer probably isn't advisable....even if it has been the norm on a mk1 for years

We travelled on the duke in December with Saphos for the first time and loved every moment of the day primarily as they are the only TOC using mk1s and you can hear and smell the loco as has already been mentioned.

I'm afraid like with West coasts current arrangements on using mk2s in sealed coffins you'd get more enjoyment having a coal bbq in the back yard and watching the days tour on YouTube at zero expense !!!

Yes there's probably reasons why its being considered by Crewe, but when up against their competition people are booking Saphos for the experience or at least we did and they have to be careful that they dont kill the goose for those happy to pay their higher prices

 

You would think that LSL knows what sells the Saphos brand and maybe feedback has been that aircon would be an improvement. Most modern trains are supposed to have it, as do most cars, although it has to get real hot before I stop just opening the windows on my car.
It was far from unusual in the RTC Mk1 one days to have diners shutting the sliding windows or asking the steward to do it for them and complaining about the debris coming in on their table from the loco. Also common in winter months for complaints about windows being open.