Preston To Edinburgh

Why not look a littler further at a multi day tour - in 2002 we did that wonderful 46201 hauled trip to Perth and Edinburgh and return.

So why not consider X to Perth - overnight - loco goes to Thornton for servicing and in the morning returns to Perth smokebox facing north. Thence to Dundee and reverse and over the bridges and along the coast to Newcatle and dropping off points - just a thought

 

RE: the Edinburgh idea I think realistically if its for a Saturday "Train of Hope" then you would be looking at operating the train at either setting off at silly o'clock (potentially watering down support from those who struggle on longer journeys/days), next to no break in Edinburgh (not likely to prove popular or good for the poor support crew) or returning diesel hauled Edinburgh to Preston/Crewe. Would also make for a long day for steam off Crewe/Preston so would think Carnforth to be the better option as it could allow a path off Crewe or Preston of an hour+ later. If this is a charity tour full of dignitaries, guests etc and you want to appeal to the sorts who can't normally stomach a long day on a train then setting off as late as possible + a even a "Lakes" pickup (plenty of hotels within 10 miles of Oxenholme - e.g Kendal/Windermere etc) might also be wise for those who wish to make a weekend of it but want a start after 8am and to be heading back to their hotel by 9pm. So something along the lines of diesel Crewe, Warrington, Wigan, Preston, Lancaster (loco change Carnforth), then pickup at Oxenholme and steam through to Edinburgh arriving at an example time of 1430. Return diesel hauled setting down at the stations used in the morning leaving Scotland after 6pm subject to no engineering blocks.

I would note though that an Anglo Scottish steam op is going to cost more to put together (whether diesel one way or not) than the last Train of Hope so you may want to think about discussing it with those providing cost price or complimentary resources as its extra financial burden on them when there are other places they may prefer that would not dilute the interest of the passengers.

 

An interesting route variation - presuming that route and timings are main concern - is to AVOID the WCML and go Crewe - Manchester - Preston - Carnforth - Cumbrian Coast - Carlisle - S&C - Blackburn - [ for connection to Preston ? ] - Bolton - Manchester - Crewe. There are surely sufficirent steam trips already going over Shap that the coastal alternative might be a welcome relief.

 

Isn't there a restriction on full route Cumbrian coast steam ?, I do like the sound of this itiniery though.

 

I'd book on that one

 

In response to RalphW there was no problem with 71000 when HF Railtours ran their tour up the coast [see gallery at www.hf-railtours.co.uk]

 

Doesn't it require air cons and stewards manning every vestibule to run on the northern section of the coast line? I'm not sure if Mk.1s are ok with sufficient stewarding or if it has to be air cons though.