SVR General Discussion

Timetable C has included diesel hauled services since the 1990s, and the 2013 timetable was basically the same mix of steam/diesel as 2012, so I'm not sure why he refers to the introduction in 2013 (unless it was because that was the year that Daw Mill and Scottish Coal closed with resulting coal supply problems?)

Timetables are on the SVR Wiki if anyone is interested
https://www.svrwiki.com/SVR_timetables

 

Precisely, the article makes it read as if there were no diesels prior to 2013 which is absolutely not the case and they have always done full journeys.

 

It's slightly disingenuous to suggest they need diesels to run the service they do. They could run the service with all steam but have chosen to share the burden between steam and diesel for a number of reasons including cost, practicality, availability etc. What Gus means is "we couldn't run the service we do, at the cost we do, if we solely relied on steam".

 

Hoping someone can help. Visited the line for the Autumn Diesel Bash. Looking to ID the small boiler at the back of Bridgnorth Boiler Shop, and an LNER teak coach cover with a green tarp at Bewdley. TIA

 

The teak coach will be BCK 24068, its overhaul has been started.

 

On the Bluebell topic here, it's mentioned that 323 Bluebell's boiler was sent to the SVR. Might be it?

 

Warwickshire's boiler?

 

Unlikely. I'm fairly sure the old one is at Bewdley and the new one is being built by us in Cromford.

I'm fairly sure there is at least one P class boiler from the Bluebell at Bridgnorth, so that's a probable candidate.

 

There's also Dunrobin at Bridgnorth, is that another possible option?

 

Boiler from a locomotive from the Isle of Man Railway I believe

 

P class Bluebell’s boiler is definitely at Bridgnorth.

Tom

 

I believe that they are looking at doing a direct swap with Gordon's Boiler, with Gordon's being overhauled in readiness for steaming on the P Class's frames.

 

Next week is the October Half Term, with the Christmas Gift Fayre at the Engine House24th and 25th and then the Ghost Trains 29th-31st.
813 and 1450 double heading at the weekend with 4150 on the other steam turn. 4150 and 75069 will be covering the rest of the week. The DMU is being strengthen with 2-car green 108, and thus will run as a 5 from Saturday lunchtime onwards.

 

https://www.expressandstar.com/news...IZwhK-m5En5Gl1MD0A_aem_8hcNfWI8Rha4GaoFfo7SDQ

Despite it saying 96 trips, I make it 192 journeys between Bewdley and Kidderminster or vice versa (8 weeks x 3 days x 8 single journeys per day). 1000 passengers, I'm guessing the vast majority will be returns so 500 passengers. £3.60 return ticket, £1800 income.

 

There’s sort of been an internal log of users per train and more seem to use the morning than the afternoon from what I could tell.

 

Just terminology I guess. If you define a trip as "out and back" then 96 trips = 192 journeys.

Does 100% of the income accrue to the SVR? My fag packet maths suggests that that level of income doesn't even cover the fuel, let alone anything else.

Tom

 

No, the SVR was contracted to operate the service at a set rate by WMRE. There was no loss for the SVR, it simply had to operate the contractual service it said it would provide and got paid for.

 

"More than 50/50 chance" of the commuter service being continued according to a nice little BBC News piece today

 

There seems to be a lot of negativity after some initial figures were released but I think there’s a lot to consider here….

1) If you’re asking people to change their daily life’s an 8 week trial is probably not enough. People, and particularly commuters, are habitual, they like routine. I see it all the time at work with regulars, getting on the same door, finding the same seat, standing on the same place on platforms. Perhaps 8 weeks is just not long enough to convince the very habitual ones to change that.

2) The whole purpose of the trial was to prove demand. Demand there is, even if currently small. Bewdley is growing. More houses are going up and it is a nightmare to drive round at key times of the day. If I’ve got a book on between 0800-0930 I actively avoid going in for book on and go in early to avoid the traffic. But linking back to the above how many will change for just 8 weeks?

3) Not all national network services make money, at least for part of the journey. But they do provide a service, and usually that’s welcomed and used by even the small band of locals. Maybe if this did become permanent it would need to be one of those.

So that all begs the question of how does the SVR approach this on a more prolonged basis? And to me that answer can only be to be paid a set as a contractor to run the trains, with no financial risk. Perhaps not with volunteers, but surely the cost of using paid staff would be factored in to any new contract? I can see a future for this service, but it’s going to take a while to iron the creases.

 

Sensibly balanced.