Something to do with the "Railway 200" celebrations? (And also that with the continuing dry weather they couldn't run it on the line anyway?)
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jamestclarkson
Member
Also the P3 and Lucie are making an appearance at Shildon
jamestclarkson
Member
Hoping the upcoming forecast of rain for 8 days starting tomorrow makes a difference to make steam running again
YorkshireBear
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It might but it's not actually that much rain that is forecasted, just odds and sods and the spring has been exceptionally dry.
I was aiming to go next Saturday on the basis it was quieter with diesel only running. If it comes back to steam by then I might not bother!
I was aiming to go next Saturday on the basis it was quieter with diesel only running. If it comes back to steam by then I might not bother!
Iskra
Established Member
It has been showers, but the ground has dried remarkably quickly after each one, so I’m not sure how much it’s helped. I think what’s needed is probably a full days worth of rain for it to make any tangible difference.
The rainfall has been variable by locality - Wharfedale yesterday was noticeably wetter underfoot than Airedale.
D1537
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There is some decent rain forecast for Monday night, but again then it is forecast dry and sunny for most of the rest of the week with a few spots here and there, so that probably won't help much.
thejuggler
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Just spent the weekend in the area and called into Pickering on Friday so had a wander to the railway station. Saw the 37, 47 and yesterday in Whitby the 31.
As expected the service due to leave was busy, but there was so much chuntering and complaining from a coach tour about it being a diesel. Commemts included 'we were promised a steam train', 'the poster shows steam trains', 'we are very upset', 'we want some money back', 'we are so disappointed'. If it had been a bunch of youngsters who knew no better fair enough, but these were all OAPs and apparently the situation had been explained before they arrived at the station!
It did rain today, but not enough to make much difference over 20+ miles of the route.
As expected the service due to leave was busy, but there was so much chuntering and complaining from a coach tour about it being a diesel. Commemts included 'we were promised a steam train', 'the poster shows steam trains', 'we are very upset', 'we want some money back', 'we are so disappointed'. If it had been a bunch of youngsters who knew no better fair enough, but these were all OAPs and apparently the situation had been explained before they arrived at the station!
It did rain today, but not enough to make much difference over 20+ miles of the route.
YorkshireBear
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Heavier rain forecast so might change. But still sunny and dry end of week.
What is the situation with booking tickets now, is it pretty much mandatory? (Ie it's very busy so it's a risk) I ask as I have reciprocal travel from another heritage railway, but taking friends who don't, so is turning up on the day Saturday end of half term likely to be risky? Is it worth contacting in advance?
What is the situation with booking tickets now, is it pretty much mandatory? (Ie it's very busy so it's a risk) I ask as I have reciprocal travel from another heritage railway, but taking friends who don't, so is turning up on the day Saturday end of half term likely to be risky? Is it worth contacting in advance?
kje7812
Member
My experience is that the second Saturday of half term isn't as busy as the first.
I suspect you can probably just chance it. Saturday sees the NER Autocar (+ trailer) being used as an additional service to give a better than normal service. Also are you doing Whitby or just internal services? The former services will be busier than the latter.
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OAPs are, in my experience, the least favourable to diesel substitution and most coach tours do sell it as a steam train ride.
Agreed on the weather. Here in York, while it has rained I noticed that the ground has quickly dried out. The wind will help with that.
xotGD
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jamestclarkson
Member
I heard that steam is close to returning at least for the Grosmont to Whitby section.
I would have been celebrating!
Each to their own of course, but I am curious why today's generation of OAPs would still be fixated on steam.
It was different 20 years ago but for someone who is 70 today steam would have already been relatively rare to experience as a school child and as they entered their teens and adulthood it would have gone completely. Not only that but diesels would have already been everywhere when they were a young kid, so they were more likely to find themselves diesel-hauled them steam.
I was born too late for mainline steam at all, what I grew up with was BR blue and I have no doubt that that heavily shapes what I want from a heritage railway today. I don't mind a steam loco but what I really want is a BR blue diesel loco with BR blue-grey mark 1 or 2 carriages, or a BR DMU.
I want it to be Scarborough in 1977. It's a shameless nostalgic pleasure.
As I say, nothing wrong with liking steam of course but I would just be surprised if many of those now going into retirement don't have more nostalgia for diesels. That would have been what was around from their teens to early adulthood, which is what people's strongest nostalgia is often for.
D6130
Established Member
I have plenty of nostalgia for the early diesels - as well as steam. Just look at my avatar and handle!
Their websight confirms steam only Grosmont-Whitby from Saturday 31st Operated by 926 Repton.
I know many people in their 50s upwards who are steam orientated and have little or no time for ‘boxes’.
Those guys have had a lifetime to enjoy reasonably priced mainline steam, here and abroad, with considerable ‘freedoms’ before todays position on the mainline was reached where it’s aircons, a ‘box on the back’, stay in your seat, no sound, no opened windows etc..
The best part is that they make me feel very youthful as I’ve had many decades of being called a ‘box boy’.
generalnerd
Member
OAP coach tours can never handle change. I don’t think they realise the fire risk, and if they do they probably don’t care much for the wildlife in the area.
As an 81 year old I've traveled on many a scheduled steam train both here and abroad.
Since the end of steam on BR I haven't been on any mainline steam special. I much prefer a trip on a preserved railway, especially if there's a decent pub at the end of the line. It still comes as a shock though to see steam locos in pristine condition, instead of the grimey objects I remember.
As an OAP who has been on coach tours both before and after becoming an OAP i don’t recognise this on any of the tours I have been on.
i remember steam from my youth in the 1950s and saw the introduction of the Diesels and also saw the LMS pair.
For my part the experience of a visit to a Preserved railway is about the whole package and not just the traction on offer.
I realise I am fortunate in that I have been on mainline scheduled trains pulled by a large range of Locomotive Steam, Diesel and Electric and appreciate them all in their different ways.
DarloRich
Veteran Member
Because they are being sold a certain day out including a steam train ride. It is not unreasonable to expect that to be delivered based on the advertising
Looking at shearings they offer loads of trips to Yorkshire and the advert I found has a massive steam train picture suggesting that you can expect a ride on a steam train
For £200 plus I would be a bit miffed if that didn't happen!
Also granny tours must be a decent earner for preserved railways so best to keep them onside if you can!
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Falcon1200
Established Member
A somewhat ageist statement! With which I also disagree. OAPs, whether they go on coach tours or not, are just as concerned about wildlife as anyone else, and when advised of the reason for diesel traction vice steam fully understand.
generalnerd
Member
When I say ‘OAP coach tour’ I really mean ‘lower middle class ‘day out in the country’ coach tour’ but it’s a bit of a mouthful.
The worst people on these tours are actually the 40 and 50 year olds, but I digress.
When in a hole it is best to stop digging.
The fault probably lies with the coach operator for not making it clear that steam may be substituted with diesel, but of course a picture of a 37 on the front wouldn't sell many seats on the coach, whoever these holidays are marketer at (well unless it was the enthusiast community of course)
YorkshireBear
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Had an enjoyable day out, but £50 for s return from Pickering to Grosmont is steep, can imagine it puts a lot off.
Four carriage set had one coach party and then was half empty, got sat right next to 37 at the front. The Autocar on the way back was lovely but dead.
Four carriage set had one coach party and then was half empty, got sat right next to 37 at the front. The Autocar on the way back was lovely but dead.
When I went, I wanted a single Pickering to Grosmont. I had to buy he annual ticket for whatever, was determined to use it again , but didn't. I imagine I'll go back at some point, but I'm not making it a priority.
It's 18 miles so pro rata cheaper than £16 for 5 miles on another Yorkshire line
YorkshireBear
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Its a fair point, but that really won't matter to a family deciding whether to bother!It's 18 miles so pro rata cheaper than £16 for 5 miles on another Yorkshire line