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Black 5s to Chichester - Saturday 14/12/13

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Big Al, Dec 9, 2013.

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  1. richards

    richards Part of the furniture

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    I believe the RAIB will be investigating this unfortunate incident. It could so easily of been something far worse. Just think what might have happened if the diesel had sounded its horn ...

    Richard
     
    richards, Dec 15, 2013
    #41
    KentYeti likes this.
  2. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    Steam Dreams usually try and rotate the destinations from a pick-up point ( rather than go the the same destination along the same route each year). Note : There are some routes where demands is high and they have trips to every year e.g York.

    Using Southend as an example :

    2011 Salisbury and Winchester.
    2012 Gloucester, Canterbury and Oxford.
    2013 Bath and Chichester. Trip to York cancelled.
    and advertised for 2014 York and Salisbury.


    Marcus Robertson has stated a number of times in interviews that initially he planned running to a limited number of destinations on a regular basis, but feedback from the passengers was that they wanted to visit different destinations.
     
    Paul42, Dec 15, 2013
    #42
  3. alts1985

    alts1985 Well-Known Member

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    alts1985, Dec 15, 2013
    #43
  4. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    The platform at Southend was full of people for this trip and most of the train had boarded by Upminster so the suburb pick up formula does seem to work (and it got me out east to get the track with steam!). I was on the same table as three people who had not been on a steam trip before. When you list the things that the on board staff did in Standard for these folk you can understand why Steam Dreams may stand a better chance of capturing a larger slice of the public market:
    - sorted out the misted up window with the right cleaning solvent
    - made a cup of (proper) decaf. coffee on request
    - arranged for a freshly made sandwich to be prepared to appease the vegetarian who didn't fancy the bacon bap.
    - organised a running tab for the add-on drinks that were purchased during the trip.
    - and all of this was service to the table.

    None of the above is likely to do much for the steam enthusiast but it certainly gave the right signals to the newcomers. And if such an approach guarantees that the train will be filled (and have steam on the front) then I can live with the slightly higher cost.

    The no frills RTC approach works as well but it is a different standard
     
    Big Al, Dec 15, 2013
    #44
  5. KentYeti

    KentYeti Guest

    All well and good Al, but it doesn't cater for a Yeti:-

    No amount of cleaning solvent can clear Yeti heavy breathing when it's seen a BSW through the window.
    Yetis spill coffee all over crisp white table linen.
    Vegetarians get eaten by Yetis.
    Yetis love running tabs as they can do a runner before paying it.
    Having a BSW leaning over and serving at table to a Yeti only askes for trouble.


    And as for "no frills" by TRC. :eek: Well that counts out the French Maids straight away. :(



    ;)
     
    KentYeti, Dec 16, 2013
    #45
  6. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    I understand that the tartan clad ones are no more as well......
     
    RalphW, Dec 16, 2013
    #46
  7. Enterprise

    Enterprise Part of the furniture

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    Most regrettable!
     
    Enterprise, Dec 16, 2013
    #47
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