Vintage Trains to Weston Super Mare

Can Ben answer perhaps whether it is anticipated that this train will go on after Weston-super-Mare to turn on the WSR's triangle ? I can't imagine the stock would remain in the station, and the NF triangle would seem to me to be the nearest turning facility ? If so, is it possible there could be an option to remain on board for this additional mileage, rather than alightling at WSM, or is that likely to be out of the question due to some kind of shunting manoeuvre being involved ?

 

Bristol?

 

Yes, and as a "layman" in these matters, I'm sure Bristol could work equally well, and there's familiarity with steam workings at that end as well of course.

 

That sounds good. It would require a tender first working back to Bristol (SPM?) for servicing and then
continuing to Weston S.M. via North Somerset Jct.and Bristol T.M.
If a diesel was at the rear it could haul the loco and stock from WSM to Bristol and back.<BJ>

 

Good point, I hadn't thought about the tender first working, which would need to be both to and from Bristol of course. There is the servicing requirement as well of course, which could rule out use of the WSR facilities I guess. We'll just have to wait and see,

 

5043 was serviced on the WSR on a previous VT trip. 5043 came off at Bishops Lydeard where it was serviced and one of the WSR fleet took the train to Minehead.

 

ok, so no reason then why the loco for the WSM trip shouldn't be serviced at BL in the same way I presume, the only difference being, the train itself would stay put.

 

On paper at least the Norton Fitzwarren/Bishops Lydeard option seems simpler, no need for a diesel tailgunner or tender first to Bristol , plus assuming the furthest it would go would be the servicing area at BL, it woulden't touch the part of WSR in normal service.

Course what looks the easiest option and what actually happens can be two different things.

 

I think running round at WSM on a bank holiday Saturday to then run tender first to Bristol is probably out of the question.

 

Pretty sure the running round bit could be accommodated, but tender first at 45mph on a 100mph main line ? Probably not.

 

IF it is going to Norton Fitzwarren, is there any reason why it can't carry passengers to Taunton? (Could even be done as an add-on allowing holidaymakers in Weston-Super-Mare the option of a short (and relatively cheap) experience of mainline steam).

 

Why is it complicated?
You book to WSM for £x or Taunton for £y. There is the same number of seats available WSM to Taunton for £z as £x tickets sold. Realistically if WSM is an attractive destination then more x than z tickets would be sold.All income over x tickets is extra income for minimal outlay. It's not as other operators haven't run tours to a normal destination or a later enthusiast destination ,with similar fare options in the past e.g. UK, PF, Compass etc...

 

Exactly, selling the same seat more than once on different legs of an itinerary is fairly common practice I would have thought. The additional mileage to Taunton and back would probably be quite appealing to many booking from the West Midlands, and Bristol. The add on idea for people joining at WSM could also work. Given VT have a good relationship with FGW, I expect something could be organised in the way of posters to promote this.

Anyway, better wait until VT confirm what is actually happening after the train arrives at WSM before coming up with too many ideas,

 

why can't you turn people off, esp if the longer journey would have cost them more?

 

I suppose the only way around that is to just make it clear that if you've booked one option, you can only upgrade to another subject to availability. Going by Ralph's example above, the availability was there, it was just a pain to administer. I guess it's worth it though if the end result is happy passengers as well as more revenue to cover the costs of running the tour.

If there's no availability for people to book beyond their original destination then surely the answer is to explain that to anyone enquiring and if necessary, refer them to the Ts & Cs of their original booking. It happens often enough when itineraries, allocated locomotives are changed after all.

 

Exactly, the point I'm making.

If the tour was from x to z calling at Y and you have bought a ticket x to y and all the y to z tickets have been sold, then "sorry but you can't buy and extension ticket as they have already been sold" is surely the answer wanting to anyone wanting stay on the train.

 

There would be problems operating this through to the WSR on this date.

Firstly, there is already a RTC tour booked to Minehead on this date, and secondly, it is a gala weekend (Late Summer Gala), so the Norton Fitzwarren section would be in use for turning WSR locos.

As for passengers getting off at Norton, that would not be allowed - it is only permitted for trains coming from Bishops Lydeard when shuttles are running, and they are not allowed to stay there - they must go back on the same train straight away.