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Skipton-Appleby Service: 20/7 to 12/9/20

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by RalphW, Jun 24, 2020.

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  1. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Another reason for going to Skipton has come to light.

    New Settle & Carlisle Luxury Charter Train Announced

    THE timing of an announcement for a reduction in social distancing by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, along with a further easing of restrictions has come at a perfect time for the launch of a new thrice daily luxury charter train, which will operate over the scenic Settle & Carlisle line this summer.

    For eight weeks, new entrant to the market, Rail Charter Services, will run trains between Skipton and Appleby from July 12 to September 20.

    Running under the safety case of Locomotive Services TOC Ltd, these trains are a separate product to the Statesman trains or the tours run by Saphos Trains.

    Backed by city fund manager and locomotive owner Jeremy Hosking, a director of LSL, the idea for the summer service stems from former BBC World Service journalist Adrian Quine. He said it took just eight weeks to develop the idea.

    Speaking to The RM, Mr Quine said: “This service really is ground breaking for the rail industry. This is the first time that a dedicated timetabled tourist train has operated in England and has the potential to be a game changer in other popular areas of high seasonal demand.

    “A lot of work has gone into negotiating these exciting new services with our industry partners and stakeholders and we are delighted to be able to bring some post covid-19 cheer to families at this difficult time.

    “We are working closely with Northern, The Rail Delivery Group, Network Rail and the Settle to Carlisle Development Company all of whom have shown both pragmatism and a genuine willingness to get this exciting new service up and running. These services will be a proof of concept for the future and they will promote tourism.”

    What RCS is planning could become a template for a new type of railtour operation, paving the way for a similar approach in other parts of the country. By moving away from the ‘one-size fits all’ approach of the traditional all-day railtour, passengers could be offered a more bespoke option with a choice of a short or longer day out and add-on excursions.

    The trains will be top-and-tailed by LSL Class 47s hauling a rake of four ex-Greater Anglia Mk 3 first open carriages and a Mk2 BFK which is not for public use.

    In order to maintain the current two metre social distancing, only window seats will be sold and LSL is installing Perspex screens between each seat bay, which will give a capacity of 128 seats per train.

    Three return trips a day between Skipton and Appleby, calling and setting down at Settle, will operate from Monday to Saturday between July 20 and September 12. Return fares for the 112 mile round trip start at just £29 per person. Tickets will be sold on a ‘day return’ basis offering passengers the option to book a short or long day out, and there will be onward tour options for a coach tour to the Lake District. Sales will initially be in pairs to people from the same household or social bubble. In addition, the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company will provide pop up catering stalls at Settle and Appleby stations, providing locally sourced food and drinks as well as at their café at Skipton With a timetable designed to offer opportunities to passengers from both Skipton and Appleby ends of the line, bookings can be for one of three colour coded train combinations giving the opportunity for a short or long day out.
     
    RalphW, Jun 24, 2020
    #1
  2. Steamage

    Steamage Part of the furniture

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    Well, that's more than just a toe in the water, isn't it? 3 times a day, 6 days a week for 8 weeks. That sort of frequency should help attract passengers, especially if they can easily book the day before or even same day. (I'm presuming it will be pre-booked seats only, at least for the moment.) I wonder to what extent it will reduce the paths available for steam? It might eat into The Dalesman's passengers a bit - people who want to see the scenery, want something a little more fancy than a Northern DMU but are not particularly fussed about steam may go for this instead. In a normal year, there should be room in the market for both, but this won't be a normal summer.
     
    Steamage, Jun 24, 2020
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  3. 30567

    30567 Part of the furniture Friend

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    Assuming departures from Skipton are say 1000, 1330 and 1700, I don't think that will affect the pathing. It does seem a very brave move in the circumstances. I wonder what 'from £29' means. All will be revealed.
     
    30567, Jun 25, 2020
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  4. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    Very interesting booking conditions - Sales will initially be in pairs to people from the same household or social bubble. Haven't seen similar conditions for Steam Hauled Sets where Saphos/Statesman have said they are using MK1 FOs and Mk2 TSOs. Anyone know if there are 2 metres between opposite seats in them?
     
    1020 Shireman, Jun 25, 2020
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  5. 30567

    30567 Part of the furniture Friend

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    I was an hour out there--- 0835, 1220 and 1612 from Skipton. Numbering the departures from one to six through the day, three combinations are offered--- out on train 1 back on train 6 ; out on train 3 back on train 4 ; out (from Appleby) on train 2 back on train 5.
     
    30567, Jun 25, 2020
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  6. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    Monkey Magic, Jun 29, 2020
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  7. Groks212

    Groks212 Well-Known Member

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    Groks212, Jun 30, 2020
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  8. sycamore

    sycamore Member

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    I think £29 is based on the cheapest train (1st train ex Appleby I believe) and if you buy 4 tickets as a family bubble. If you're a lone '47 fanatic (as in traveling alone that is - I'm sure that there is more than 1 class 47 fan out there?!?!?!) then you need to buy a minimum of 2 tickets - £68...

    PS: this subject may justify it's own thread, especially when the "box on the back" debate kicks off!!! ;):p:D

    Will
     
    sycamore, Jun 30, 2020
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  9. Will RL

    Will RL Member

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    Has anyone found a website or somewhere to find more information about these? (Other than newspaper articles)
     
    Will RL, Jun 30, 2020
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  10. 30567

    30567 Part of the furniture Friend

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    Yes, If you go to Rail Advent, scroll down and click on the link called Rail charter Services, there you have the details and booking page.
     
    30567, Jun 30, 2020
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  11. iancawthorne

    iancawthorne Well-Known Member

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    https://railcharterservices.co.uk
     
    iancawthorne, Jun 30, 2020
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  12. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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    surprised about the small number of bicycles they are offering to carry
     
    Bikermike, Jun 30, 2020
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  13. Kylchap

    Kylchap Member

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    Nowt wrong with having a diesel on the back . . . as long as there's a diesel on the front as well. ;)
     
    Kylchap, Jun 30, 2020
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  14. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    The brake may well be used for storage and also for wheelchairs so 12 bikes is reasonable.
     
    RalphW, Jun 30, 2020
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  15. Steamage

    Steamage Part of the furniture

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    The article in The Grauniad suggests RCS is using "reconditioned InterCity 125s". Presumably that's just the coaches - or have LSL got a couple of power cars too? Presumably, all they really need is a power car and a DVT of some sort.
     
    Steamage, Jul 1, 2020
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  16. Groks212

    Groks212 Well-Known Member

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    AIUI they're supposedly using Mk 3 coaches top and tailed with 47s.

    Dave B
     
    Groks212, Jul 1, 2020
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  17. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    ''Former East Midlands Railway HST power car 43083 is now in the hands of Locomotive Services Ltd.
    It's entered the paint facility at Eastleigh for what is understood to be a coat of INTERCITY Swallow paint''. <BJ>
     
    free2grice, Jul 2, 2020
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  18. Tim Light

    Tim Light Well-Known Member

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    Are they expecting punters to arrive at Skipton by train? We are still being asked to avoid public transport ... only use it if necessary. Are they going to allow a trainful of passengers from Leeds to Skipton?
     
    Tim Light, Jul 2, 2020
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  19. Britfoamer

    Britfoamer Well-Known Member

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    "Swallow paint" A bit like "Drink varnish, it will kill you, but you'll go with a nice finish!" :D
     
    Britfoamer, Jul 2, 2020
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  20. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    It hasn't done Donald Trump any harm ....or so he says. <BJ>
     
    free2grice, Jul 2, 2020
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