Moving on from the idea of an open top bus flying down the A64, this is another example of how dysfunctional and slow to react the rail industry is
Everybody knows staycations are going to be massive this year, it’s mentioned across the media constantly, so in a year when this is the case, TPE reduce the Leeds to Scarborough service from hourly to no service at all
Yes you can change at York, but how many will take one look at the lack of direct trains, that have operated forever, and then make alternative arrangements?
To clarify - the reduction didn't happen this year. The last time there was an all-day through service was March 2020, apart from during the emergency timetable that was in force between January and March this year, where there was an hourly service from Manchester to York, thence alternating between Scarborough and Redcar.
The rail industry is always going to less flexible than the bus or airline industry, with the nature of needing crew with the relevant traction and route knowledge, as well as needing appropriate rolling stock. However I agree that this is a very unfortunate outcome.
It's a good job that Scarborough services have at least gone back to hourly. It's questionable if through trains could return.
Through trains will return - the additional capacity will be needed in the longer term - it's just a question of when it will happen.
If they get to about July and all the YRK-SCA trains are rammed to overflowing, what will they do? SCA p3 looking like Waterloo Station at 5pm again maybe. TPE will get mega grief.
There is a small chance of some ad-hoc extras, as the Mk5s have some long turnarounds at certain times of day and York depot normally has a spare 185. But it is very unlikely that any extra services will be added in this year.
Depends if the DFT will allow them to run extra trains, even using 802s assuming the staff are trained (as I would imagine in the current reduced timetable with no Manchester Airport - Newcastle trains running nor many Newcastle - Edinburgh trains would have a few 802s sitting spare daily).
Whilst there are about 5 spare 802s, it would likely be a very difficult logistical challenge to put them into use on the Scarborough line, based on the location and capacity of depots/stabling facilities.
Possibly by then they will have trained a couple more drivers and be able to run an extra or two? Though the 0Txx keep getting cancelled...
There's also a 1951 Q path to Liverpool (doubt it would get that far!), ECS from Ardwick.
Driver training is a very slow process! 0Ts will be empty locos running as and when required. The Q path to Liverpool will run all the way if it's activated, but I'm pretty sure it's route rather than traction learning (or refreshing), as it's operated by a 185.