Jacobite 2011

In terms of Mallaig itself, the usual hour or so there is more then enough! In the rain especially, it is a rather bleak place and a bit of an anti-climax visually after such a stunning journey from Fort William.

 

That depends on how quickly the restaurants can serve a Cullen Skink or Fish and Chips.

The best in Scotland are available there - if you know where the "back door" chippie is.

 

A good Cullen Skink is worth the journey to Mallaig IMHO. Couldn't have found the right chippy though as the fish and chips I had were most disappointing.

 

Any chance of a spare five and set at Inverness to work to Kyle and to Aviemore in August and September???

Just an idea - you understand!

 

I read in either SR or HR that West Coast had looked at Inverness to Kyle on 2 occassions and it was not financially viable. The article stated twice the distance but unlikley to be able to charge twice the fare.

Inverness to Aviemore or visa versa is not too long a distance ( 35-40 miles) so could viable. Turntable at Aviemore I think.
I like the idea.

 

Yes, turntable on the Strasthpey Railway.

 

Yes, ex Kyle turntable but would the Strathspey be willing to accomodate? You can't just assume these things you know.

 

Yeeees - but - if Inverness to Aviemore would wash its face, then you could perhaps do a once a week Kyle at an economic fare - doesn't have to be twice the Mallaig fare - or £120 either, and tick both boxes.

There is also the Keith and Dufftown that has main line access - so think full line trips with time in the towns to spend, and it could make business, revenue, and tourism, good sense.

An occasional Inverness - Perth and return wouldn't go amiss either - at railtour rates as an extra.

Think of the business case that all of the above could make, and then go and talk to the local tourism bosses.

There is also the cruise ship shore excursion market out of Invergordon to be tapped into with the right contacts - and they aren't too distant.

With the variety of tourist offerings there a business case is not 100% Kyle dependent -

Wotho - let's give it a coat of looking at eh?

 

I think the K&DR is a non-runner because of the axle weight restrictions on the line. I think the viaduct at Dufftown is extremely fragile and a Black 5 would be too much for the line overall. Perhaps they could hire in 46512 (no chance of that happening anyway!).

A run from Inverness to Perth would be a good one. A 170 does the run in about 2h10m (roughly), a Black 5 at 60mph might be looking at a lot longer, perhaps 3h single journey. I well remember Peter and Betty Beet coming up to Aviemore to speak to my Father (while I was present, we showed them round the shed at Aviemore) about having 5690 based at Aviemore for summer runs to Perth. Sadly nothing ever came of it.

 

I would have to sound a word of caution about demand, or perhaps more the losses you might occur building it up. The Jacobite has a capacity I would guess of just over 40,000 seats per season and presumably most are sold. But this is a mature operation that has gradually built up over 25 years from a much shorter season. The Strathspey has solid passenger figures, especially coach parties (which last time I heard were up 50% of the business) but not that would put it naywhere near the top of UK heritage lines in terms of overall numbers and I bet The Jacobite also has good party usage (I understand that has been the case with The Cambrian). Would there be the demand amongst tour operators for an Inverness to Aviemore (the reverse might actually work better - Aviemore being next to the A9), why should the Strathspey co-operate with a competitor and above all, does the Highland Mainline have spare capacity at suitable times? (On Strathspey, I bow to Neil if I am mistaken on any of the above).

It will be very interesting to see how the new, 2nd Jacobite trip sells. If a market is proven for a late afternoon/early evening excursion, that could be revolutionary for both mainline steam and heritage railways. I know of one "known fact" about times of last trains that has been broken into little pieces in recent years, so this could be a real eye-opener!

Steven

 

I fully appreciate the need to check all options and capabilities before moving forward - but if you don't try - you don't get.

The York / Castleford / Wakefield / Leeds circle didn't look touristy - but it has turned out to be sellable - and that's the name of the game.

If having sowed a seed the answer is "no" - at least the potential has been weighed up. Its the "can't be done" without any analysis approach that shuts things down - albeit that pressing on when it has been confirmed that such a route is impossible that earns even less friends in the long run.

 

I have looked at National Rail enquires and the times for this years Great Britain for the outward runs only and summarise as follows : -

GB4 Inverness to Kyle 6.30 - 10.30 4 hours duration

Service trains 9.00 - 11.30 and 11.00 - 1.30 2.5 hours duration.

6.30 too early for tourists and a 9.30 departure would arrive at 1.30 the same time as the service train, and this is without looking at pathing.

Inverness - Aviemore

GB4 11.00 - 12.15

Service trains 10.47- 11.31 & 12.47 - 13.30

Sensible departure time if GB4 path was used, have not checked if service trains increase in the summer months

 

You also have the issue of the Royal Scotsman tours which take up a few paths a week from Inverness - Aviemore and south to Perth. They either stable in P2 for about an hour waiting for a path onto the Strathspey and then have a run up to Boat of Garten. The following morning they have a path (used to be south, but was occasionally north) from Aviemore blocking the Strathspey's platform (and, at present, token section). This happens 2 - 3 times a week from May to October.

 

I think its worth adding that the Keith & Dufftown dont have mainline access unforunately, though the branch platform/sidings/loop at the junction remain in use by NR.

 

Anyone confirm what's working tomorrow? WCRC have requested 45231 but UK Steam shows 61994 as running.

 

My video from the first week featuring 45231 is now available;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ta1FOGsPlU

Thanks to all involved with the operation of the train, I hope the second train is a big success, if the crowds waiting to pay on the day last week were anything to go by it will be.

 

I wonder why? Should this be true, then if you are making, or indeed have already made, plans to travel to ride or view the K4 I would be very careful. You could be very disappointed, to say nothing about being out of pocket. What is the point of posting a roster? Life is short, money is in short supply for many, so unless there is a problem why change? A bit of "muscle flexing" going on here maybe? Makes me think further about the "Tornado" issue.

 

Probably just operational. When it was the K1 and B1 a fair few years ago from what I heard the B1 would handle the shoulder periods and the K1 the high season. Not entirely of course. Probably due to the K1s suitability on the heavier trains. Guessing that the same applies with a K4 and Black five.

 

The 'roster' is a matter of mutual agreement between the loco owners, and not generally made public, although it is agreed in advance. There are many reasons, such as unforeseen maintenance or repairs, which might make it change. Our only requirement is that there is a steam locomotive ready for the service - we have never guaranteed any specific loco.

I suggest you think carefully before posting unfounded speculation.