LOL The Irony
On Moderation
Blackpool has a nautical college.But Chester is a much larger tourist draw than Blackpool! Plus it has a university which obviously Blackpool doesn't.
Population isn't everything
Blackpool has a nautical college.But Chester is a much larger tourist draw than Blackpool! Plus it has a university which obviously Blackpool doesn't.
Population isn't everything
The main one will be that they are already owned by DB and they can avoid leasing charges by using them.
Maybe some of the long line of unused DB 90s at Crewe will move out of the undergrowth that they inhabit now.
I think you underestimate the "Coaster Enthusiast" community a bit there: just as railfans from the SE will get up at stupid o'clock to get to somewhere like Grosmont, there are plenty who won't simply go to their nearest amusement park, or even the one with the best reviews- they'll go to the one with coasters they haven't ridden yet. They're a lot like track-bashers in that sense!Nor will people from the SE or Midlands go to Blackpool for the Pleasure Beach - Alton Towers and Thorpe Park are rather better venues and nearer too.
Having spent a lot of time in Blackpool and the Fylde generally in the past year, my view is that Blackpool is definitely improving as a destination. The regeneration has been done rather well, and whilst there is much more to do I can see how it could now become more popular as a place for weekend trips from London as somewhere different to Brighton / Bournemouth / Margate. I was there over a Christmas, and the place was positively busy, which surprised me. Whilst one example doesn’t prove anything, Premier Inn are constructing a 300 bed hotel in Talbot Square opening in a couple of months - they must have seen a market. A sustained marketing effort and cheap fares could work wonders for London - Blackpool traffic.
Will the Mk4s be refurbished prior to service or keep the virgin interior?
As per the timetable in post #509.What other station en route to London will this service call at ?
As per the timetable in post #509.
Will GC have designated diversionary routes for use during planned or emergency engineering work and would clearance be required for Mk 4 stock to use the diversionary routes?
I think you underestimate the "Coaster Enthusiast" community a bit there: just as railfans from the SE will get up at stupid o'clock to get to somewhere like Grosmont, there are plenty who won't simply go to their nearest amusement park, or even the one with the best reviews- they'll go to the one with coasters they haven't ridden yet. They're a lot like track-bashers in that sense!
This won't "make bank" for GC but it'll help. For all its problems, Blackpool still punches above its weight for entertainment options, and while it has lost much of the glamour of the past, it now plays up to the 'kitsch' angle more.
Belgian Railways (NMBS) used to - may still do - offer trips which included a combined rail journey and a discounted entry fee for an attraction. So maybe Grand Central could offer a combined rail and Pleasure Beach ticket!
(The biggest theme park in Belgium is the unfortunately-named ‘Plopsaland’ near Mechelen, I think).
Maybe they could, but then you’d expect them to have done it already with Northern and TPE.
Doing it with Northern would likely only attract those who would already be going there, to a lesser extent TPE. Whilst Grand Central would more likely attract people from further away and so may not be quite so likely to be going anyway.
Belgian Railways (NMBS) used to - may still do - offer trips which included a combined rail journey and a discounted entry fee for an attraction. So maybe Grand Central could offer a combined rail and Pleasure Beach ticket!
(The biggest theme park in Belgium is the unfortunately-named ‘Plopsaland’ near Mechelen, I think).
I recall seeing 90's top & tailing initially 7 Mk4's somewhere.Any word as to what sort of formation they are using?
I recall seeing 90's top & tailing initially 7 Mk4's somewhere.
Again, I only recall seeing it, so don't take it as gospel as I could be wrong.Why can’t they use the MK4 DVTs?
Surely that’s more economical then top and tailing 90s because you’re dragging a loco around which adds cost whereas a DVT while it can’t have seating added surely would be very helpful for luggage etc?
And the Mk4 DVTs already work with Class 90s so no mods needed.
Again, I only recall seeing it, so don't take it as gospel as I could be wrong.
You would need an extra TOE if they were to run without a DVT - locos can only couple to Mark 4 TOE and DVT vehicles.Why can’t they use the MK4 DVTs?
Surely that’s more economical then top and tailing 90s because you’re dragging a loco around which adds cost whereas a DVT while it can’t have seating added surely would be very helpful for luggage etc?
And the Mk4 DVTs already work with Class 90s so no mods needed.
South Western have all sorts of discount deals with attractions on their patchMaybe they could, but then you’d expect them to have done it already with Northern and TPE.
Is that even allowed , 2 90s on the power?Well using both 90s at the same time would help the acceleration greatly I think?
But who knows? I hope DVTs are used as it makes sense.
They constantly double head inter modals.Is that even allowed , 2 90s on the power?