Scarborough Spa Express 2010

Today is the first day so talk about empty trains is a bit premature.

 

I do agree with your reply as its only early days, but by touring a route thats not deemed to be as good as what has been offered in previous years is going to be much harder to sell. Just hope it picks up for them.

 

Did the morning circular, I needed to travel over a couple of curves on the route behind steam. An added bonus was 'Scots Guardsman' which had so far eluded me for steam haulage, last seen by me at Dinting Railway Centre in the 1980's.
Excellent value at £19 for 70 miles of pure steam haulage. The train was lightly loaded, but will no doubt pick up as the holiday season gets underway, and word spreads. You have to speculate to accumulate.
Surprisingly few photographers at York Station for the departure to Scarborough.

 

I only saw the morning loop today and didn't bother with the rest because of the bad weather.
Passenger numbers have been mentioned elsewhere.

Anyway here's 46115 having an easy time of it at Fairburn.

View attachment 1483

 

I guess the passenger loadings will pick up once the schools are on holiday. Thats the main market for this tour. I think the schools finish the end of next week round here.
I will be having a run at some time I hope 46115 is on in August as I haven't travelled behind her yet.

Brian

 

It is mentioned in the Steam Dreams - Summer Days by Steam leaflet.

 

Yes oh bugger! Just seen that on the website, diesel hauled all the way from London to Hellifield and vice-versa, so no chance of photting 46115 at Doncaster. There is The Waveley excursion on Sunday 5 Sept. the day we leave to come home departing York early in the morning with either 45231,45305,45690 or 46115 pencilled down to haul to trip so all is not lost to try and see Guardsman.

 

Simon and others

Before writing the operation off, on its first day, you could perhaps do a little worse than actually buying a ticket and travelling on it, in support of your photographic opportunities - as some of the 'old guard' would no doubt readily agree.

You aren't necessarily our target market but your support would nonetheless be welcome.

JS

 

Yes,it has to be said,there are a lot of people here who will make comment and not travel,hopefully i don't come into that class and just to prove that....i will be about on Thursday,Wakefield to Cas (I assume a Wakey-York ticket would be required?)


If we want stuff to run we need to do our bit. Standing trackside forever won't help,the sad thing is that probably less than half of the people you see at trackside are likely to travel. I might go out to see it at Welbeck in the morning,depends if its bike weather

I will however be the first to say that Harry Potter seems to have virtually dropped away in this area amongst the kids?

The Chav Express might be more appropriate,try a few Saxo's on the front......

 

I never wrote off the operation. As I have done for the past few years, I will make a trip on the train... In my own time.

From what I remember last year, the train's weren't jam packed when it started... Come the end it was! I hope it's the same for you this year. It was just my personal opinion that I prefer last year's route, but I understand the commercial aspects as to why it was changed.

 

I will apologise if i was deemed to be writing off the operation so early on, but it was not what i was trying to portray.

I was just trying to put across that people would be expecting more people on board for first trip to what has been a sucsessfull yearly event, but did not take into accont school holidays etc. With my summer holidays approaching, i will consider taking a trip to support as otherwise i wouldn't be able to make it due to work commitments.

 

Nat Pres members day out on the SSE anyone? Be a nice way to put faces to names

 

Great idea John! I'm up for that =]

 

Only one - last year it was a nightly travelling club

The earlier timings don't help in some ways - will have to work on that one.

 

I had a very enjoyable evening loop behind the Scott last night. My partner came along and this is the first time she had ever done any mainline steam. She really enjoyed herself and commented on the stock being tidy, friendly and helpful staff and stewards and has asked to go again. The evening loop wasnt to long for "normals" like the partner to not get bord and the timings back to York allowed for easy connections home. Every enjoyable and we will be doing another. Thanks to James and all the others at West Coast for a good evening.

Andy

 

I think the evening run might be the best option; the route doesn't sound too inspiring hence more time for a social rather than travelling event; Perhaps even consider asking James Shuttleworth to join and give a briefing on what's actually involved in organsing / operating the SSE / Jacobean / Cambrian services which many photoraph without appreciating the background effort.

 

Dates between 3 - 5 and 17 -26 August are a no no for me (elsewhere) so if someone wants to pick a date to aim for (including when I cant make it!) we can judge the response. The evening York - York seems a good bet for me. I realise we cant pick a date that will suit everyone but its a super opportunity to socialise. I note there is some turn up and pay on the day capacity - but I've no idea how big that allocation is normally.

Would this be better in a seperate thread ?

 

Just been informed that 46115 has been declared a failure at Scarborough with a collapsed rocking grate. Don't shoot the messenger if this isn't 100% accurate.