Could anyone have a private train?

[michael769]

To my mind the biggest issue with this is going to be pathing. Actually getting a train and crew shouldn't be hard, you'd just contract an existing company to supply it for you

The rail tours manage to get paths to where they want to go so I'd argue it can be done.

Of course there would be constraints on busy lines, so no realistic chance of getting to go anywhere you want anytime you want, but I doubt that even the Royal Train would exercise that right these days.

Though as Peter suggests I suspect that if sufficient financial compensation was offered a ToC might be willing to give up a path.

 

[causton]

The rail tours manage to get paths to where they want to go so I'd argue it can be done.

Of course there would be constraints on busy lines, so no realistic chance of getting to go anywhere you want anytime you want, but I doubt that even the Royal Train would exercise that right these days.

Though as Peter suggests I suspect that if sufficient financial compensation was offered a ToC might be willing to give up a path.

I don't know, railtours are often diverted and I presume NR have a lot more to say about the available paths than the tour operators do - it sounds more like a case of "Can we take a train from Crewe to Great Yarmouth?" and NR say "Yes, but only at xxxx going via xxxx and arriving there at xxxx!"

 

[ainsworth74]

The rail tours manage to get paths to where they want to go so I'd argue it can be done.

Oh I agree! I meant that ringing up Network Rail and saying 'I'd like to take my train to Leeds this afternoon and return later on in the evening' would probably not be possible. However arranging in advance that you will have a specific path in and out of Leeds that you used when you wanted probably would be.

 

[Class172]

I quite fancy the idea of a two car bi mode multivoltage unit with full lounge, kitchen bathroom and bedroom, capable of going anywhere in standard gauge Europe. It would probably be hardest getting clearance to run in the UK!

I have often fantasized over having a personal train. For me it would be an EDMU able to run off DC and AC, like a class 172 but with less doors (perhaps at the end), but built to UK loading gauge.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

When the Sutherland Railway did not exercise their right to extend their line northwards, the Duke of Sutherland built (at his own cost) the next northward 11 mile section from Golspie to West Helmsdale and he operated this section, known as The Duke of Sutherland's Railway, from 1st November 1870, until the whole of the line was taken over and operated by the Highland Railway.