Route of Saphos trip

[BanburyBlue]

I’ve just gone nuts and booked Mrs BanburyBlue and me on a Saphos Pullman trip from Banbury to Bath in early December. I was interested in the route, as the train starts in Dorridge, travels down the Chiltern line, with the last pick up point being Gerard’s Cross. Apparently somewhere along the route there is an engine change to steam. So just wondering what route this tour will take - how does it get from Gerard’s Cross to Bath?

I’ve checked on RTT but can’t see the train - should I be worried?

 

[LittleRedTrain]

If it's the same route as they used for a similar trip last December, it'll turn off the Chiltern Main Line just after South Ruislip towards Greenford, then join the Greenford Branch and heath south to Drayton Green.
At that point it will turn west on the triangle to join the GWML at Hanwell.
The Diesel/Steam changeover takes place in the Hanwell Bridge Loop between Hanwell and Southall (where the steam loco will have been based).
Enjoy your trip and the highly regarded Saphos hospitality!

I did look at doing this last year but ended up doing the Vintage Trains trip to Bath on the same day instead.

 

[zwk500]

I’ve checked on RTT but can’t see the train - should I be worried?

No, train timings typically aren't finally confirmed until about 4 weeks before the trip, and even then they can sometimes appear on RTT very late.

 

[stuartl]

I’ve just gone nuts and booked Mrs BanburyBlue and me on a Saphos Pullman trip from Banbury to Bath in early December. I was interested in the route, as the train starts in Dorridge, travels down the Chiltern line, with the last pick up point being Gerard’s Cross. Apparently somewhere along the route there is an engine change to steam. So just wondering what route this tour will take - how does it get from Gerard’s Cross to Bath?

I’ve checked on RTT but can’t see the train - should I be worried?

No need to worry, charters don't usually show on RTT until a short while before the date of the trip as ZWK500 says.

 

[BanburyBlue]

If it's the same route as they used for a similar trip last December, it'll turn off the Chiltern Main Line just after South Ruislip towards Greenford, then join the Greenford Branch and heath south to Drayton Green.
At that point it will turn west on the triangle to join the GWML at Hanwell.
The Diesel/Steam changeover takes place in the Hanwell Bridge Loop between Hanwell and Southall (where the steam loco will have been based).
Enjoy your trip and the highly regarded Saphos hospitality!

I did look at doing this last year but ended up doing the Vintage Trains trip to Bath on the same day instead.

Thanks - followed most of this on Open Train Times. Does the engine change occur at the WCRC depot? And do the diesels stay with the train, or remain in London?

Finally what happens when we get to Bath? Where does the engine do its 3 point turn?

Thanks

 

[LittleRedTrain]

LSL (owners of Saphos) have a depot of their own at Southall, next to the WCRC one.
The train will pull into the loop alongside the main line, the front diesel will come off and be replaced by the steam loco out the depot. There will almost certainly be a second diesel on the back which will stay there all day to provide power and for shunting.

The train will most likely continue to Bristol and be turned on the triangle there, with the loco serviced at the depot/in the sidings there.

 

[BanburyBlue]

Thanks all - all booked.

Can't wait.