Rail Charter Services to operate loco hauled trains between Skipton & Appleby.

[ainsworth74]

For interest here are today's booked passenger numbers...

0835/1758 return has 12 booked
1035/1612 return has 6 booked
1220/1438 return has 40+ booked

After todays BBC advert the website has subsequently gone down due to unprecedented amount of traffic

That's a bit more like it! Still not sure this is the right time but I'll be very happy to be proven wrong!

 

[xotGD]

Well, I need 521, but I'll be giving this a miss. No point taking the risk of infection.

 

[Al_feather]

For interest here are today's booked passenger numbers...

0835/1758 return has 12 booked
1035/1612 return has 6 booked
1220/1438 return has 40+ booked

After todays BBC advert the website has subsequently gone down due to unprecedented amount of traffic

Interesting, how reliable are these figures!? Where are they from?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

And what's the current (socially distanced) capacity?

 

[pdq]

Was quite interested in this as a family day out for next week - until I saw the timings. Travelling from Skipton to Appleby you either get 1 hour there or 8 hours. Clearly the 8 hours is aimed at people who are going to go trekking or cycling for a whole day. There is no provision to get the earlier train (arriving at 10am) then leave at 1438. Even that's possibly a bit long in a small market town, but at least it's plenty of time for a leisurely lunch and a walk, whereas an hour is no use at all. I'm sure there are reasons why they're only offering defined journey options, but it does seem to limit the appeal to the family market.

 

[sprinterguy]

And what's the current (socially distanced) capacity?

128: 32 per carriage.

 

[trainmananthon]

Interesting, how reliable are these figures!? Where are they from?

These figures are from the passenger list which people doing meeting/greeting and working onboard get, which I am one of.

Very interested to see how today's publicity affects the numbers tomorrow - there was a huge number of people booking today!

 

[Jamesrob637]

Has anybody used this train? What was it like if so? Mods, move this thread to the Trips bit if you deem it more appropriate there.

Pardon me if there is already a thread for this however I was unable to locate one.

 

[Class 170101]

Has anybody used this train? What was it like if so? Mods, move this thread to the Trips bit if you deem it more appropriate there.

Pardon me if there is already a thread for this however I was unable to locate one.

Video story covered by BBC News today

Spectacular views from new tourist train

The aptly-named Staycation Express runs from Skipton in North Yorkshire to Appleby, Cumbria.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[43094]

Had a trip today. There were a fair few cranks on, OK so it may not be aimed at them, but it’s a good source of initial income....

Nice relaxed atmosphere, very much enjoyed it.

 

[chiltern trev]

Do the mk3s being used have retention tanks?

 

[Sleepy]

Do the mk3s being used have retention tanks?

Yes they do have them.

 

[Swimbar]

Might seem a daft question but why is it operated from Appleby? ECS moves both in the morning and evening between Appleby & Skipton.
I would have thought there were adequate facilities at Skipton where there is already overnight servicing.

 

[Adam0984]

Might seem a daft question but why is it operated from Appleby? ECS moves both in the morning and evening between Appleby & Skipton.
I would have thought there were adequate facilities at Skipton where there is already overnight servicing.

But no space to stable it, the only place would be in the platform but then would cause problems if there is a track possession

 

[xotGD]

Had a trip today. There were a fair few cranks on, OK so it may not be aimed at them, but it’s a good source of initial income....

Nice relaxed atmosphere, very much enjoyed it.

The operators will be pleased that they took our advice to drop a 37 on the front!

 

[43 302]

The operators will be pleased that they took our advice to drop a 37 on the front!

I personally think they should keep it there longer than a week. Even if it isn't aimed at enthusiasts, what reason is there for using another 47 over it? I can't imagine theyre massively cheaper to run or a lot more reliable.

 

[trainmananthon]

I personally think they should keep it there longer than a week. Even if it isn't aimed at enthusiasts, what reason is there for using another 47 over it? I can't imagine theyre massively cheaper to run or a lot more reliable.

Remember the 47s also provide ETH to the train too.
A great shame to see trespassers on the line taking pictures yesterday. Remember, it's a live railway and there is no place for trespassing on it. Not only does it put this charter in jeopardy, its also risking your life. Don't do it!

A fair increase in passenger numbers today too. Nothing dramatic but its a start

 

[43 302]

Remember the 47s also provide ETH to the train too.
A great shame to see trespassers on the line taking pictures yesterday. Remember, it's a live railway and there is no place for trespassing on it. Not only does it put this charter in jeopardy, its also risking your life. Don't do it!

A fair increase in passenger numbers today too. Nothing dramatic but its a start

Yes but you only need one loco to supply ETS. I think this setup right now is perfect. They could always get a 37/4 (or two).

 

[theblackwatch]

The operators will be pleased that they took our advice to drop a 37 on the front!

The use of the 37 is out of necessity!

 

[Jamesrob637]

Is this train valid on North rangers and so on, or does it require a supplementary fare?

 

[matt]

Is this train valid on North rangers and so on, or does it require a supplementary fare?

No only charter tickets are valid.

 

[DB]

But no space to stable it, the only place would be in the platform but then would cause problems if there is a track possession

Skipton has a siding south of the station, and the carriage sidings to the north, but I guess Northern need all the space. It also has three through platforms, but blocking one of these may cause issues with running round the locos on the stone trains from Swiden Quarry.

 

[Adam0984]

Skipton has a siding south of the station, and the carriage sidings to the north, but I guess Northern need all the space. It also has three through platforms, but blocking one of these may cause issues with running round the locos on the stone trains from Swiden Quarry.

The sidings are all full overnight with the amount of units required for service plus some extras been stabled out of the way because theres limited places to store surplus 4 car electrics

 

[CP&SLJR]

I'm taking this next week.

It seems like there are a couple of people involved in this on here so hoping someone can answer a couple of questions, which the website is a bit vague on.

Is there a catering trolley? If so what is on it? What is open in Appleby food wise? I'm guessing I would be better off bringing what I want with me.

What is car parking like for the lunch time service in Settle?

For anyone interested, my logic in booking this is that I'm in this part of the world anyway next week (which is unusual), I've never done the S&C despite having travelled much of the rest of the network and it sounds much more pleasant doing it in first class seat on LHCS than on a Northern sprinter. At the same time it is not taking capacity away from people need to actually get somewhere on the train. I'm not particularly interested in the traction - it will be nice to see the 47 but would likely have booked it still if it had been a 66!

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I'm taking this next week.

It seems like there are a couple of people involved in this on here so hoping someone can answer a couple of questions, which the website is a bit vague on.

Is there a catering trolley? If so what is on it? What is open in Appleby food wise? I'm guessing I would be better off bringing what I want with me.

What is car parking like for the lunch time service in Settle?

For anyone interested, my logic in booking this is that I'm in this part of the world anyway next week (which is unusual), I've never done the S&C despite having travelled much of the rest of the network and it sounds much more pleasant doing it in first class seat on LHCS than on a Northern sprinter. At the same time it is not taking capacity away from people need to actually get somewhere on the train. I'm not particularly interested in the traction - it will be nice to see the 47 but would likely have booked it still if it had been a 66!

Hope you enjoy your trip next week.

 

[ajs]

There seems to have been problems on the 0835 from Skipton today, arrived at Appleby 110 minutes late.Anyone know the reason?

 

[matt]

Failed freight in front.

 

[ajs]

Thank you.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Failed freight in front.

Oh Dear, that's not good. I hope the failed freight train was given a good talking to.

 

[UP13]

Oh Dear, that's not good. I hope the failed freight train was given a good talking to.

The actual train itself? Got visions of the Fat Controller scolding a sorry looking Class 66 locomotive...