A Private Train?

trash80 · 14 Dec 2016

I'm not saying its likely anyone would ever do this but if a rich rail enthusiast wanted to travel around the network in their own private train would this be possible?

Obviously the train they owned would need to be mainline certified, but would they need to form their own TOC? How easy would it be for them to get paths? Has anyone actually done this in the past?

RailUK Forums

TheKnightWho · 14 Dec 2016

trash80 said:
I'm not saying its likely anyone would ever do this but if a rich rail enthusiast wanted to travel around the network in their own private train would this be possible?

Obviously the train they owned would need to be mainline certified, but would they need to form their own TOC? How easy would it be for them to get paths? Has anyone actually done this in the past?

Well the queen does it. I'm not sure how feasible it'd be for anyone else.

Is it economically viable in comparison to a private jet?

trash80 · 14 Dec 2016

Well lets not get into why, thats not the point of the question. As i said its unlikely anyone would ever do it but i thought it would be an interesting thing to see if it could be possible.

BestWestern · 14 Dec 2016

Assuming they had all the relevant operational certification etc, there is absolutely no reason why not. They'd probably have to set themselves up in a similar vein to charter operators, and go about obtaining paths and paying the fees in the same manner.

What would probably be easier, however, would be going to someone like West Coast Railways etc and simply getting them to run it for you.

WCMLaddict · 14 Dec 2016

I'm pretty sure William McAlpine used to do that. If I remember right he would also sometimes get his private carriage attached to the back of some scheduled services...

AlexNL · 14 Dec 2016

If you pay enough money, find someone willing to haul your train under their license, and paths are available? Why not.

You could even set up your own TOC if you'd really want to...

D1009 · 14 Dec 2016

BestWestern said:
What would probably be easier, however, would be going to someone like West Coast Railways etc and simply getting them to run it for you.

David Smith, majority owner of WCRC ran his own train from Carnforth to Kyle of Lochalsh a few years ago, which included a van to convey his limousine, so I'm sure they'd do it for anyone else prepared to come up with the necessary cash.

trash80 · 14 Dec 2016

Well OK thats my plan sorted for when i win the lottery then

NotATrainspott · 14 Dec 2016

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie hired an entire Pendolino to themselves and their entourage to get up to Glasgow for the World War Z filming.

furnessvale · 14 Dec 2016

trash80 said:
Well OK thats my plan sorted for when i win the lottery then

USA private varnish anyone?

I love watching and dreaming on youtube and looking at various websites offering old dome and observation cars for sale. I would have to keep it in the US, can't see it fitting over here.

Holly · 14 Dec 2016

trash80 said:
Well OK thats my plan sorted for when i win the lottery then

Well here is how they handle it in Brazil.
https://youtu.be/mgmDvInwsw0?t=986
Just get a private coach or two coupled to the back of a freight train.

Now can someone remind me - when did British Railways officially stop carrying livestock?

ChiefPlanner · 14 Dec 2016

Holly said:
Well here is how they handle it in Brazil.
https://youtu.be/mgmDvInwsw0?t=986
Just get a private coach or two coupled to the back of a freight train.

Now can someone remind me - when did British Railways officially stop carrying livestock?

Just after EU entry - the last flows in cattle wagons (OXFITS) were from Holyhead , Welsh farmers blockaded the line several times.....

RailAleFan · 14 Dec 2016

https://www.virgintrains.co.uk/redcarpet

johnnychips · 14 Dec 2016

Moriarty managed to get one sorted in about twenty minutes to chase Sherlock Holmes and Watson towards Dover in The Final Problem, published 1893.

caliwag · 14 Dec 2016

I recall a strip in the Wizard, or a similar DC Thomson comic, back in the 50s or early 60s when a well healed youth, and his 'chosen' mates would tootle about the,extensive, network...Gosh I was so envious as a 12 year old spotter. It lead to so many fantasies...ran for several editions, probably based on the Duke of Sutherland's arrangements with Dunrobin or whatever it was called! well. Some lads wanted to a spaceman, or a cowboy or Roy of the Rovers...err!

Mag_seven · 14 Dec 2016

Well the queen does it.

Paid for by you and me!

Howardh · 14 Dec 2016

TheKnightWho said:
Well the queen does it.

Mag_seven said:
Paid for by you and me!

Be fair, she will let you have her seat if the train's full.

Liam · 14 Dec 2016

It's not really private, but DBS have their company train for carting management types around the place.*

*I have no idea what they actually use it for...

6Gman · 14 Dec 2016

ChiefPlanner said:
Just after EU entry - the last flows in cattle wagons (OXFITS) were from Holyhead , Welsh farmers blockaded the line several times.....

And when you saw it approach you stood well, well back on the platform.

Behind the brown line.

Bletchleyite · 14 Dec 2016

The cost would be massive, but wouldn't it basically be like any other charter? I'm sure any of the companies that normally do charters would happily do it...at a price!

AnonymousUser1 · 15 Dec 2016

Liam said:
It's not really private, but DBS have their company train for carting management types around the place.*

*I have no idea what they actually use it for...

and that fundamentally is the model that would be the most opportune ...

otherwise it;s restricted to the realms of fantasy...

TrainfanBen · 16 Dec 2016

I'd be interested to know what rolling stock people would want to run?
And where to?

I guess steam services, retired stock and places with stunning scenery would be the answers for most.

fowler9 · 16 Dec 2016

TrainfanBen said:
I'd be interested to know what rolling stock people would want to run?
And where to?

I guess steam services, retired stock and places with stunning scenery would be the answers for most.

50031 pulling a single Mark 2C from Lime Street to West Allerton as and when I need it.

ComUtoR · 16 Dec 2016

TrainfanBen said:
I'd be interested to know what rolling stock people would want to run?
And where to?

466 from my local station to my depot (so I can drive it). Twice a day (there and back)

EbbwJunction1 · 16 Dec 2016

GWR King Class 6000, King George V (or another King as it's unlikely to run for a while) and a GWR Saloon Coach, on call for me between Newport and Cathays in Cardiff between Monday and Friday for work.

At other times, the same set on call to take me to rugby and cricket matches as required.

Dolive22 · 16 Dec 2016

Holly said:
Well here is how they handle it in Brazil.
https://youtu.be/mgmDvInwsw0?t=986
Just get a private coach or two coupled to the back of a freight train.

Now can someone remind me - when did British Railways officially stop carrying livestock?

Liam said:
It's not really private, but DBS have their company train for carting management types around the place.*

*I have no idea what they actually use it for...

At what point is it a passenger service, and banned from freight only lines? I recall something about the private train of a freight company (I recall it being "The EWS company train", so presumably the DBS one) needing a special exemption to run over freight-only lines. Are officers specials allowed on freight-only lines?

Evvy73 · 16 Dec 2016

Funnily enough, myself and a few friends joked about this earlier this week as a way to get around the Southern Strikes - our idea was to get out own little one carriage DMU and run it from Hassocks, Burgess Hill & Wivelsfield direct to London Bridge, departing around 7am and then returning around 5:45pm. We'd kit it out with proper comfortable chairs, that have plenty of leg room too. :lol:

Pure fantasy of course, but it would be nice.

Strat-tastic · 16 Dec 2016

Heathens! What about a dining car? Can't a man get a cooked breakfast on his way to work in the morning? :lol:

Dolive22 · 16 Dec 2016

Strat-tastic said:
Heathens! What about a dining car? Can't a man get a cooked breakfast on his way to work in the morning?

Aren't we due trials of the restored Brighton Belle about now?

DarloRich · 16 Dec 2016

Strat-tastic said:
Heathens! What about a dining car? Can't a man get a cooked breakfast on his way to work in the morning?

there isnt time on my commute - but hang on it is MY train so i will re route it to create enough time to consume my breakfast.

I will need to top and tail and although 99.9 % of the journey would be under wires it would need to be diesel hauled. Lets say Fenny Stratford, Euston, Milton Keynes. I will allow selected others to use the train as a mark of my kindness.

In the evening we can run direct with the train to be ready in platform 2a from 1600 until i need it.

A Private Train?

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