Saphos Trains 2018

I had missed that change in the rules. What was the thinking?

 

I am all for that, amen indeed. Accusatory remarks aimed at individuals should have no place any time of year but sadly there are those who seem affronted when business practices are reasonably challenged, leaping to defence mode by criticising character, motives and right, anything other than the point at issue in fact.
I wonder if 2018 is going to see tribal style battle lines drawn on NP over the emerging Saphos/LSL vs WC rivalry?

 

Perhaps so, sorry, I am simply weary of contributing to debates which result in a handful of tedious regulars suggesting the only reason a point of view is made is because you have a grudge/bias/history against a particular business without ever being able to substantiate that as a motive.
If other debates are anything to go by any positive words for Saphos will result in certain individuals taking a slight on behalf of rivals.

 

Not sure I remember all the ins and outs but this sums most of it up. I expect a further ORR search may provide the follow up detail.


http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/2868/mark1-consultation-160311.pdf

I also seem to remember that a "barrier vehicle" as referenced in the ORR document could be a diesel. Of course from a stewards viewpoint it meant that we had to spend most of the day standing on a number of tours once the rear coach started to be sold again.

 

I can see the argument for both sides Big Al. If you need a steward per coach then that is normally 10 plus a train manager so that is around £1100 at standard class ticket prices that is taken out of the revenue stream of a full train. I do not know what the breakeven percentage loading in the steam charter market is but the railway press have often reported it is quite high.
I know from my time in the aviation industry that on some shorthaul flights the breakeven was around 95 or 96% so you needed those last few seats to be sold to make any profit.

 

In this season of good will please don't be so hard on yourself

Happy New Year to all and here's to a 2018 with a wider selection and happiness to one and all! Competition has been sorely needed, competition has now arrived (sort of as they seem to be settling down geographically and not fighting one another) and that's happy days for everyone!

Ho ho bloody ho!

 

As a regular focus of your less kindly intended remarks I do hope this proves to be a sustainable attitude from you and that you are able to be more discerning in who/what you choose to be influenced by before commenting in 2018.
Cue yawn emoji?

 

Well I popped in here hoping to glean some enlightenment on Saphos Trains, but hey this is Nat Pres, so the usual protagonists are still in the trenches, hurling insults at each other. How about entering into the true spirit of the season and just letting it rest, rather than trying to have the last word?

I'll ask the Mods to clean this one out for the new year!

 

I notice Mr Hoskings also owns Saphos Hotels so wonder whether there will be a link up between the two with the higher quality train offerings?

 

Happy to stick to subject matter and pleased to declare peace provided the "usual protagonists" dial down the remarks aimed personally, its not what the forum should be about but some folks can't help themselves it seems.

 

I think there will be availability for all, the wcrc general trains (Scarborough Salesman ect) are still ok in price terms plus VT of course and the Fellsman, although be interesting to see what happens with that as doesn't make sense at first glance for lsl to use wcrc to operate but there will be a lot of faffing for them to resource under the present itener . I think an opportunity has been identified at the top end and whilst not my cup of tea (Or glass of Champagne) if the demands there every little helps to sustain main line steam.

 

Didnt someone once say that it was cheaper to operate a main line steam tour in Switzerland than the UK

 

Possibly there is a contract for Fellsmans of a fixed duration? Once the point of greater self sufficiency is reached LSL/Statesman might take it fully in house perhaps? Suspect the Lancaster start/finish might be a casualty if so - would Crewe be too far as an originating point?
The WC in house stuff all represents great value too so I agree, in the north, there will be something for everyone.

 

Looking at the brochure I agree. Not many gricers on display. But the £45 standard/£70 first introductory offer is very good value for, say, Crewe to Cardiff or Holyhead.

Just a guess but I think the Saphos website will be busy next week. O/T I see the North Briton is more or less full, so there is clearly a market above the Dalesman/Fellsman price point for trips which are special in some way.

 

Presumably because the Railway(s) concerned absorb the cost I believe. Here the operator has to pay the TOC / ROSCO before any profit can be calculated hence the costs are passed onto the final link in the charter chain - the passenger.

I well recall a case many years ago when the costs of painting an EMU trainset were set against the training expenses of the apprentices who did the work; the training budget covered the cost and the owner had a newly painted trainset at no cost thus Win Win all round !