Mersey Moorlander: Every Monday in August (Compass Tours)

Received an email from Compass Tours today and tucked in at the end is this series of tours, circular north over S&C and return via Shap from Crewe & Liverpool. More interestingly though is that these are steam hauled (from Lime St) in association with West Coast and marks a departure for Compass away from it's traditional diesel hauled days out. No mention of motive power, though I would expect it to be Carnforth based! Not bad value at £69..but in direct competition with Railway Touring Co who are promoting the same trip in opposite direction on August Saturdays but at £79...(with no Crewe pick up!). Granted northbound up Shap is more of a draw and wouldn't mean booking time off work!
Details: http://www.compasstoursbyrail.co.uk/

 

Never heard of Compass Tours before. As the two previous posters have put it does give RTC some competition in the summer.

 

Since the trains all start from Crewe (as shown on UKsteam.info), it looks like a way to get more use from the "Crewe Pool" locos and stock, thus reducing overheads for everyone. 4 days out of 7 for 5 weeks is not bad, provided there are enough loco support crew and train stewards, not to mention footplate crew and guards.

Monday: Mersey Moorlander
Wednesday: Fellsman
Friday: Scarborough Flyer
Saturday: Cumbrian Mountain Express
Sunday: Waverley and (sometimes) North Wales Coast Express.
That's quite a programme. Just waiting for the Scarborough Spa Express programme for the full summer picture "oop North".

 

Before this they have run diesel hauled charters and have been going for a few years now. They have also changed TOC this year from DBSchenker to WCRC.

 

My dad has done several diesel trips with Compass and was very impressed. Seem to be very good if you want a day out in Dundee this year! From the way the website reads it suggests WCRC providing a Carnforth loco & stock (like the Statesman operation) rather than a private hire Crewe engine, so perhaps 46115, 5690 or 44932 if they aren't on Scarboroughs. Crewe pool looks to be 60019, 6100 & 6201 for RTC. Good point on unhappy Liverpool based RTC customers...

 

Compass arn't tied to a particular TOC. We DRS have worked a few of their trains with class 47' ow'er the Midland for example.

Have just looked at their web site, they are indeed tied up with WCRC next year. Apologies. No more blue 47's on blue and grey stock, hey ho.

 

And there is also the Monday to Friday summer steam service over the Cambrian Coast again to add too. This could be a very busy, exhausting but exciting summer this year

 

Ooo err! Could it be a case of "this town ain't big enough for the both of us?" Four trips a week on the S&C in at least one direction. Yes I know they're on different days but is the market large enough to fill all trains? And if it isn't, will it stick with the established brands or move to the slightly cheaper New Kid on the (steam-hauled) Block?
I foresee an interesting summer with perhaps one or two dates cancelled for lack of bookings, and some very tightly crossed fingers about the availability of advertised motive power. Hope it all comes off in the end though.

 

and Tuesday [well at least 3 Tuesdays] features "The Welsh Mountaineer" Note this runs Tuesday not Wednesday in 2011.

 

As I understand it this has nothing to do with Network Rail. The Mersey Moorlander is to be worked by locos from the Carnforth pool as has been advertised all along and the change is to reduce the cost light engine running between Carnforth and Crewe where the steam loco would need to be attached. The signalling does not allow a steam loco to be attached at LIme Street. I also believe the steam loco will come off at Carnforth on the return journey. The Crewe pool has been paid for by RTC solely for use on their trains and RTC trains will run with steam out of LIme Street as per 45305 this Saturday. However time will tell!

 

Interesting about not being able to attach steam at Lime Street, does that apply to other types of motive power?

Cheers
Dave

 

No. I was referring specifically to the Mersey Moorlander which sorry I did not specify. I think it is a maximum of 12 vehicles including locos which can be accommodated.

 

I cannot see how RTC can stop the loco owners taking on other work in the area on days when not booked by RTC.

 

What prevents a steam loco from being attached? A diesel is able to, and I've seen it done when a 47 was attached to the rear of 6201 last year. So long as the total consist does not encroach onto the track circuits past the starter signals it should be ok surely?

 

see post #15

 

Ah right, missed that post!
Cheers.