158795 on he 0947 transpires to be very spacious - I'd guess only about half full
The 0926 was very busy compared to normal.
158795 on he 0947 transpires to be very spacious - I'd guess only about half full
0849 from Leeds on Wednesday departed about 35% loaded with a fair few more joining at Shipley. Guard asked who was heading for Tornado to notify Skipton.
On arrival at Skipton there was a queue of about 40 for unreserved seats. Very well stewarded, and it looks like they will clear the platforms before admitting passengers later on.
Stewards have to keep checking the queue for 'normal' Leeds and Bradford passengers!
But i thought the point of this exercise was "We're all normal now!" - or have I misunderstood?
Do you mean regular pax to Bradford, Leeds etc accidentally joined the queues?
That's great news.Lots of people left behind at Skipton due to sheer demand. If you're travelling tomorrow, be advised that you should get there before 9am to have any chance of travel if the numbers are any thing like today.
A lovely trip for those of us who made it onboard - queuing at Appleby for the return now.
Pinch of salt, but the Northern staff here said Tornado has performed so well that, on the off chance they run another in future, they'll be using a MK 1 for stock heating rather than a backup loco. Which is awesome and suggests this may not end up being a one-off.
Lots of people left behind at Skipton due to sheer demand. If you're travelling tomorrow, be advised that you should get there before 9am to have any chance of travel if the numbers are any thing like today.
A lovely trip for those of us who made it onboard - queuing at Appleby for the return now.
Pinch of salt, but the Northern staff here said Tornado has performed so well that, on the off chance they run another in future, they'll be using a MK 1 for stock heating rather than a backup loco. Which is awesome and suggests this may not end up being a one-off.
Speaking to the staff from the trust, we discovered the Loco is capable of 75mph and applying for approval for 90mph running. Does anyone know if there are any stretches of line north of Skipton where the line speed exceeds 60? Thanks. On the 1044 yesterday it was clear that the driver was going for it as much as possible to recover some of our delay.
If it will help anyone on Thursday to plan their visit...
There was a long queue outside the station for unreserved seats. People with tickets (any tickets) could get straight into the station throgh the other door (and so on to olatform 2)
You could only get to platform 3 if you had a reservation for Tornado (presumably including last minute bookings).
I'm glad I went Tuesday as the formation at 1044 was reserved coach A behind the support coach then BCD etc. so we got as much as you could hear and see in aircon stock, of Tornado working hard. Someone obviously realised that the formation would be much better the other way around for the operation on the day, so on the return at 1457 I was in B which was moved to behind the 68 and coach A at the Skipton end of the train, the best of both worlds I guess.
Now back in Skipton, with the return from Appleby wetter and moodier in authentic Pennine style.
Unfortunately pax were left at Skipton this morning, and I understand from senior Northern staff that this was cock-up rather than conspiracy, owing to miscommunication between the crowd control team and the guard, who priortised an on-time departure.
On the 1447 departure from Appleby (9L departure) all unreserved pax were boarded, and there were a few seats to spare. I walked through 2 reseved coaches to find the trolley, and each had 5 vacant seats, not accounted for by people in the vestibules.
For those turning up as Pax or photographers tomorrow, the 67 is at the southern (Skipton) end of the train, with Tornado tender first. Northbound Tornado is in front of the blood & custard service coach.
Unreserved coaches are at the northbound (Appleby) end in both directions, which I believe is change from yesterday.
Northern are clearly managing crowd control to minimise pax waiting on platforms.
Top tip. Pax on the 0949 ex Leeds arrive on Platform 4 at Skipton, adjacent Tornado on Platform 3, and are permitted direct access to the Tornado service to minimise inconvenience for 'normal' through pax. Of course, if too many try this, the system may change. Per my earlier post, the guard on the train from Leeds counted numbers for the Tornado after departing Keighley. Those who loitered on platforms having arrived on earlier services (or having bypassed the queue were cleared from the station before Tornado arrived.
A work in progress, so tomorrow may change.
Overall, well done Northern/DB
The mark 2 coaches are in good condition with nice temperatures inside and no trees growing out of them. Toilets worked and were clean etc. In addition to the trolley service of hot, alcoholic and soft drinks plus snacks there was a later service of ice cream and sandwiches in cool bags that were for sale.
I was quite impressed at seeing a uniform fleet of coaches - I am far more used to seeing Mk 2 rakes in at least 3 different ex liveries!
lots of the more duddery old codgers were moaning:
I resemble that remark!