New Belmond train in England & Wales

[Class15]

If they're going to do the Cambrian and Cambrian Coast, they're going to need ETCS-fitted locos....otherwise they'll have to hire-in a pair of Network Rail 37s.

Aren’t there currently retrofits of class 67s going on? Would these be suitable?

 

[aem7ac]

Maybe a use for those new ROG class 93s? Belmond seems to work with many different providers for haulage, with both GBRf and DB Cargo providing the haulage for different Belmond operations. Seems this train will largely run under the wires for some of its trips, offering a chance for a dual/tri mode to shine...

 

[Iskra]

A use for GBRF’s 57’s perhaps?

Might a few heritage railways not gain a little income from overnight stabling too perhaps?

 

[fgwrich]

A use for GBRF’s 57’s perhaps?

Might a few heritage railways not gain a little income from overnight stabling too perhaps?

Actually, this has just reminded me of one point. Does anyone recall that when the Grand Hibernian was brought over to the UK, were any Gen Van's bought over as well? I'm in no doubt that the entire set will be re-wired anyway, but will it continue Irish style (same as the Royal Scotsman) with it's own Generator Car or will it require a loco to provide the ETS / HEP?

 

[D6130]

Might a few heritage railways not gain a little income from overnight stabling too perhaps?

Unfortunately - for the Welsh trip at least - there are no standard gauge heritage lines with a main line connection in the vicinity of the planned overnight stops.

 

[bleeder4]

Third night suggests the stabling point is Moreton-in-Marsh, though there are sidings here that could be utilised, they appear to have been in an overgrown state for quite some time!

It's possible that once the passengers have enjoyed their evening knees-up in Moreton in Marsh and returned to the train, it then heads north to the Long Marston branch and stables there.

 

[fgwrich]

Actually, this has just reminded me of one point. Does anyone recall that when the Grand Hibernian was brought over to the UK, were any Gen Van's bought over as well? I'm in no doubt that the entire set will be re-wired anyway, but will it continue Irish style (same as the Royal Scotsman) with it's own Generator Car or will it require a loco to provide the ETS / HEP?

Just seen a photo on Facebook indicating that a Gen Van has come over with the rake.

The East Somerset Railway has also confirmed that Cranmore will be one of the locations it will be stabling at as well.

 

[D6130]

K

It's possible that once the passengers have enjoyed their evening knees-up in Moreton in Marsh and returned to the train, it then heads north to the Long Marston branch and stables there.

Knees-up in Moreton-in-Marsh? Come on! Line dancing in the Methodist church hall? More likely a gala dinner and ball at Blenheim Palace I would have thought! Seriously though, the passengers on the Royal Scotsman usually enjoy their evening meal and entertainment once the train is safely stabled for the night.

 

[dgl]

And here we take you to a typical British seaside resort, see what being poor is actually like. Though be aware to stay away from the locals as they have a tendency to be aggressive.

I'm waiting fir a breakdown and the replacement bus service, which would be funnt if it's not even a coach just a rattly E400!

 

[peteb]

Given the (grim) proposals being outlined maybe we should start a thread which can carry proposals for a 3 day tour of England, Wales or Scotland, with suitable places to visit and nice places to stable the train overnight!

 

[bleeder4]

K

Knees-up in Moreton-in-Marsh? Come on! Line dancing in the Methodist church hall? More likely a gala dinner and ball at Blenheim Palace I would have thought! Seriously though, the passengers on the Royal Scotsman usually enjoy their evening meal and entertainment once the train is safely stabled for the night.

Read the description though. Pretty clear they get wined and dined within the town itself, before then retreating to the train.

"We wind down through the West Midlands to Oxfordshire, arriving at Moreton-in-Marsh, an idyllic market town celebrated for its charming 'chocolate box' cottages. Here, we disembark for an exclusive after-party in a quintessential Cotswolds pub, where you can immerse yourself in local culture. Savour an array of English delights, from homemade scotch eggs to delectable sausage rolls, and for those feeling adventurous, the bar awaits as you learn the art of pouring the perfect pint.

After a night filled with laughter, dancing, and sampling a variety of local ales, wines, and handcrafted liqueurs, retreat to your suite for your final restful night on board."

 

[D6130]

Read the description though. Pretty clear they get wined and dined within the town itself, before then retreating to the train.

"We wind down through the West Midlands to Oxfordshire, arriving at Moreton-in-Marsh, an idyllic market town celebrated for its charming 'chocolate box' cottages. Here, we disembark for an exclusive after-party in a quintessential Cotswolds pub, where you can immerse yourself in local culture. Savour an array of English delights, from homemade scotch eggs to delectable sausage rolls, and for those feeling adventurous, the bar awaits as you learn the art of pouring the perfect pint.

After a night filled with laughter, dancing, and sampling a variety of local ales, wines, and handcrafted liqueurs, retreat to your suite for your final restful night on board."

Ah, yes....hadn't spotted that bit. I wonder which pub they'll use?

 

[Sun Chariot]

Read the description though. Pretty clear they get wined and dined within the town itself, before then retreating to the train.

"We wind down through the West Midlands to Oxfordshire, arriving at Moreton-in-Marsh, an idyllic market town celebrated for its charming 'chocolate box' cottages. Here, we disembark for an exclusive after-party in a quintessential Cotswolds pub, where you can immerse yourself in local culture. Savour an array of English delights, from homemade scotch eggs to delectable sausage rolls, and for those feeling adventurous, the bar awaits as you learn the art of pouring the perfect pint.

After a night filled with laughter, dancing, and sampling a variety of local ales, wines, and handcrafted liqueurs, retreat to your suite for your final restful night on board."

M-i-M must have evolved enormously since my weekly visits in 2011, when a key employer there was being wound down...

 

[D6130]

Per

M-i-M must have evolved enormously since my weekly visits in 2011, when a key employer there was being wound down.

Was that the Fire Services Training College....or the creamery? I wonder weather they will take the passengers - sorry, guests - to an idyllic, olde-worlde chocolate box pub somewhere out-of-town in the Cotswolds?

 

[Western Gaffer]

Read the description though. Pretty clear they get wined and dined within the town itself, before then retreating to the train.

"We wind down through the West Midlands to Oxfordshire, arriving at Moreton-in-Marsh, an idyllic market town celebrated for its charming 'chocolate box' cottages. Here, we disembark for an exclusive after-party in a quintessential Cotswolds pub, where you can immerse yourself in local culture. Savour an array of English delights, from homemade scotch eggs to delectable sausage rolls, and for those feeling adventurous, the bar awaits as you learn the art of pouring the perfect pint.

After a night filled with laughter, dancing, and sampling a variety of local ales, wines, and handcrafted liqueurs, retreat to your suite for your final restful night on board."

Sounds like whoever wrote that had been extensively wined and dined beforehand...

There'd probably be "a night filled with laughter" when contrasting the flowery prose with the reality and realising that "homemade scotch eggs" and "delectable sausage rolls" describes the fare in Greggs!

 

[Sun Chariot]

Per

Was that the Fire Services Training College....or the creamery? I wonder weather they will take the passengers - sorry, guests - to an idyllic, olde-worlde chocolate box pub somewhere out-of-town in the Cotswolds?

Ironically, you were nearly there with the bit I've marked in bold
Per Una ladies' clothing operated out of Moreton in Marsh.
M&S acquired the entity - we integrated their business into Marks' operation and sites; TUPE and retaining the Per Una brand name.

 

[Llanigraham]

Read the description though. Pretty clear they get wined and dined within the town itself, before then retreating to the train.

"We wind down through the West Midlands to Oxfordshire, arriving at Moreton-in-Marsh, an idyllic market town celebrated for its charming 'chocolate box' cottages. Here, we disembark for an exclusive after-party in a quintessential Cotswolds pub, where you can immerse yourself in local culture. Savour an array of English delights, from homemade scotch eggs to delectable sausage rolls, and for those feeling adventurous, the bar awaits as you learn the art of pouring the perfect pint.

After a night filled with laughter, dancing, and sampling a variety of local ales, wines, and handcrafted liqueurs, retreat to your suite for your final restful night on board."

Of course there is the possibility that the train will drop them at Moreton for a coach the this "pub". The train will then move to a suitable siding somewhere else, and the passengers wil be returned to that different place after their evenings jollifications. That sort of thing happens on some of the river cruises in Europe.

 

[xotGD]

So how many desperate track bashers are prepared to pay £11k to yellow-pen a couple of sidings?

 

[duffield]

I suspect if they charged £11,600 per passenger and took them to Ramsgate they’d have a riot on their hands!

Just take them to the very splendid Royal Victoria Pavilion and they'll soon be happy**.


**It's a Wetherspoons.

 

[12LDA28C]

But, hasn’t it somewhat always been this way, from the days of 1st / 2nd / 3rd class travel, Pullmans and dining coaches? Up to this day LSL has somewhat collared the market across England and Wales but it seems they are popular largely due to their ex BR Traction & Liveries.

Not really. The vast majority of Statesman customers for example, are 'normals' who couldn't give a stuff about what's on the front of the train. They care much more about a comfortable first class seat, pleasant environment on board, good food and drink and quality service. Any cranks on board who care about the traction and liveries are very few and far between.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Nov 2024 ==

Interesting to see prices confirmed to be per person rather than per suite. Wow. It really is aggressively priced - Orient Express type levels, or even slightly above.

They’ve no doubt done their research: I suspect they’re pitching to wealthy Americans, and of course the burgeoning numbers of wealthy Chinese visitors.

As I understand it, Chinese tourists to the UK are rather on the wane. Bicester Village shopping outlet in Oxfordshire for example, the No.1 UK destination for visitors from China has seen numbers drop by 20% this year compared to 2023.

 

[32475]

If not suggested already, Swanage would be a very good stabling stopover. It’s connected to the mainline, nice location, coach trip along the Jurassic Coast and a nice little earner for the Swanage Railway. Similarly the Bluebell, West Somerset, Severn Valley and other mainline connected railways .

 

[43096]

If not suggested already, Swanage would be a very good stabling stopover. It’s connected to the mainline, nice location, coach trip along the Jurassic Coast and a nice little earner for the Swanage Railway. Similarly the Bluebell, West Somerset, Severn Valley and other mainline connected railways .

That would depend if the Mark 3s have SSL bogies or not.

 

[xotGD]

If not suggested already, Swanage would be a very good stabling stopover. It’s connected to the mainline, nice location, coach trip along the Jurassic Coast and a nice little earner for the Swanage Railway. Similarly the Bluebell, West Somerset, Severn Valley and other mainline connected railways .

A Bronte-based visit to Haworth would be a good addition to their itinerary - especially during Bradford's "City of Culture" year. If they are lucky, the punters might also get to enjoy a pint of Timothy Taylor's as a change from the vintage champagne.

 

[Killingworth]

I'll vote for Peak Rail to Rowsley for Chatsworth.

North York Moors for Whitby and Goathland might be operationally risky.

 

[edwin_m]

It's possible that once the passengers have enjoyed their evening knees-up in Moreton in Marsh and returned to the train, it then heads north to the Long Marston branch and stables there.

Read the description though. Pretty clear they get wined and dined within the town itself, before then retreating to the train.

"We wind down through the West Midlands to Oxfordshire, arriving at Moreton-in-Marsh, an idyllic market town celebrated for its charming 'chocolate box' cottages. Here, we disembark for an exclusive after-party in a quintessential Cotswolds pub, where you can immerse yourself in local culture. Savour an array of English delights, from homemade scotch eggs to delectable sausage rolls, and for those feeling adventurous, the bar awaits as you learn the art of pouring the perfect pint.

After a night filled with laughter, dancing, and sampling a variety of local ales, wines, and handcrafted liqueurs, retreat to your suite for your final restful night on board."

Of course there is the possibility that the train will drop them at Moreton for a coach the this "pub". The train will then move to a suitable siding somewhere else, and the passengers wil be returned to that different place after their evenings jollifications. That sort of thing happens on some of the river cruises in Europe.

There aren't many places on Network Rail where a train can be parked in a platform for the duration of an evening's entertainment without getting in the way, certainly not at Moreton-in-Marsh. So if they drop and pick up their passengers there the train will have to go somewhere else and return later, and nobody will be able to decide they've had enough and go back to the train before the appointed time. Overnight stops in platforms may be possible at some larger stations, but only if they arrive pretty late and depart pretty early. Parking up in non-platform tracks means picking everybody up at a platform first, with no possibility of anyone joining or leaving the train after that except for something like a medical emergency. So using heritage railways is a good bet, as they can make their platforms available from early evening and sometimes even in daytime.

 

[Bringback309s]

Pictures - https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10235019997543177&set=pcb.8621449384628831

 

[D6130]

Pre

Pictures - https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10235019997543177&set=pcb.8621449384628831

Presumably that photo was taken at the Hamilton site (There's no caption)....or are the refurbished vehicles being painted somewhere else?

 

[Bringback309s]

Pre

Presumably that photo was taken at the Hamilton site (There's no caption)....or are the refurbished vehicles being painted somewhere else?

As I understand yes, not my picture

 

[Gostav]

It seems the trip would be similar like that

 

[contrex]

£11,000 for the privilege of being stuck at Stapleton Road or Winwick Junction by a signal failure while the local yoof let fly. Cheap at twice the price!

If it's the first of these, the local 'yoof' will likely include me! How I hate that word, by the way.