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Passed for Kettles

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HR2

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If only the powers that be would classify certain lines for regular steam operation and run some of the preserved loco's/rolling stock on them on a regular basis I am sure they would do a trade. Something like the Kyle of Localsh line is used in that manner.

Lines I am thinking of would be Newcastle - Carlisle. Settle & Carlisle. Newcastle - Teesside via the coast. The line to Glasgow via Stranraer. The Cumbrian coast line, etc.

I don't mean odd days here and there I mean a regular thing of say twice a week. I am sure it's not beyond someone to get such a thing going given that there's money to be made from travelling on steam hauled trains.;

I am sure Yorkie would love to see a regular thing to various points from York. Scarborough would be a case in point especially as the home of a good few steamers is there [York] as well.

Think of seeing and A4 or a Duchess or Mercahnt Navy travelling therough beautiful counteryside as in the past on a regular basis. They could even consider making a normal timetables train steam hauled. Then you younger men/girls could savour what it was really like in the days of regular steam haulage.
 
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matt

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There is a regular York to Scarborough Steam Service in the summer. On the West Highland there is the Jacobite and there is the Shakespeare Express which runs from Birmingham to Stratford
 

Demps

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i would be defernaterly up for that, i get the best of three worlds, the cumbrian coast (beatiful, my local line), carlisle and settle, newcastle to carlsile. Ony thing is im never going to be a fan of steam, why not whack a pair of 37s on a regular service, hehe.
 

yorkie

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HR2 said:
Lines I am thinking of would be Newcastle - Carlisle. Settle & Carlisle. Newcastle - Teesside via the coast. The line to Glasgow via Stranraer. The Cumbrian coast line, etc..
Newcastle - Carlisle and the S&C are trunk routes that are cleared for loco hauled trains, it's not uncommon for charters to do circular trips to/from Carlisle using these routes, some steam hauled.

The coast line via Hartlepool has limited capacity, but other than that I doubt anything is stopping steam trains, as freight uses this route. Not sure about the Stranraer line.

Cumbrian Coast is cleared for locos, as it's used by freight. And further south, Cambrian Coast has steam trains this summer!
 

Demps

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yorkie said:
Newcastle - Carlisle and the S&C are trunk routes that are cleared for loco hauled trains, it's not uncommon for charters to do circular trips to/from Carlisle using these routes, some steam hauled.
yeh tell me about it get quite a lot of them at carlsile.

The cumbrian coast would nt be feasable due to bridge restrictions, i dont see why but longer trains are not allowed. There has only being one in the past few years and it stopped at Maryport, tut bloody engineers, i would love to see railtours on the cumbrian coast.
 

leezer3

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Its been proposed several times for my local branch (The Gunnislake Branch), with more emphasis now they're reopening the line towards Tavistock. Trouble is though, no-ones prepared to spend the money. You have got to remember that a steam loco intrinsically consts more than the DMU equivalant to run per-se, and the fact that if there is a breakdown you then get pretty major problems.
Additionally, keeping a loco in mainline running condition is far harder & more expensive than the equivalant preserved railway conditions; Just for example there is the 25mph (IIRC) restriction on just about any preserved railway as they are operating under Light Railway orders, whereas a lot more maintance etc. would be needed for mainline running speeds.

Chris Lees
 

Galvanize

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Information for the Cambrian Kettles this year (courtsey of ATF):

The steam trains starting at either Machynlleth or Aberystwyth, and running along the Cambrian Coast Line as far as either Porthmadog or Barmouth, will take in some of Wales - most stunning mountain and coastal scenery.

Sights along the line include the white sands of the Mawddach estuary and the famous Barmouth Bridge, Harlech and Cricieth castles, Snowdonia Mountains - and all from the comfort of vintage carriages.

Commenting on the return of steam specials to the line, Graeme Bunker, managing director of Arriva Trains Wales, said: "The Cambrian Coast Line is one of the most impressive and picturesque railway routes in the UK and Arriva Trains Wales is committed to promoting its use.

"The romance and history of steam trains provides a wonderful added attraction to the beauty of the area. Customers told us last year that you just can't beat the scenery when travelling by steam engine - even those who travel the line regularly."

He added: "I am sure that the month-long steam services will draw a large number of visitors and railway enthusiasts to the Cambrian Coast, many of whom might be visiting Wales for the first time - but not the last."

The steam trains will be provided by specialist steam operating company, West Coast Railway Company (WCR), which has run the highly successful 'Jacobite' steam train from Fort William in the West Highlands of Scotland for over a decade.

As an added bonus, passengers travelling on special steam services between Machynlleth and Porthmadog will be entitled to a 40 per cent discount for the Welsh Highland Railway upon presentation of their ticket.

Running from Porthmadog, the Welsh Highland Railway allows travellers to continue their journey to Pen-y-Mount and experience the specially re-created atmosphere of an early twentieth century Welsh narrow gauge railway. A four hour stop in the town will provide an opportunity to explore the railway and Porthmadog's other attractions before the return steam journey to Machynlleth.

Steam trains will run on the Cambrian Coast Line between 30 July and 28 August 2006. Services from Machynlleth to Porthmadog will run on Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays with services from Aberystwyth to Barmouth running on Sundays.

Tickets for the steam trains are priced at £27 for adults, £20 for children and £85 for a family and can be reserved by calling the dedicated reservation line on 0870 428 4077. Tickets can be booked at any Arriva Trains Wales staffed station from 1 June 2006.

Through train tickets are available from Cardiff Central, Shrewsbury, Chester, Crewe, and Birmingham New Street stations on connecting Arriva Trains Wales services on the same date of travel. Tickets are priced at £32 for adults, £24 for children and £99 for families.

Tickets for the Welsh Highland Railway can be bought at the ticket office and cost just £2.75 for adults and £1.75 for children upon presentation of an Arriva Trains Wales steam train ticket. For more information visit www.whr.co.uk
 

beermaddavep

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There should be a fairly regular steam service(two or three days a week) along the Esk valley line between Whitby and Glaisdale again this summer.
 

metrocammel

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To be honest, wouldn't most people on here prefere a regular diesel hauled service on most of these lines... I don't believe Rail UK boasts too many "Kettle Buffs", but it has it's fair share of diesel men... And anyway, most of these kettles that run, eg Jacobite, York - Scarborough seem to be full of normals who think steam trains are "nice old trains", which was always rather funny on the FW sleeper when you talked to the normals who would say "Im going to ride on the old steam train", when in fact the 37 on the front wasn't much younger than the kettle! (but a lot better than the kettle IMO!)
 

Coxster

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I'd prefer a regular steam service to a diesel service and I'm more a diesel fan.
 
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