You had me fooled there Grahame I tried looking up Staycation Landcruises South on Google and nothing came up. Then I realised that your list of excursions from Reading was just an idea.
Oh goodness - sorry about that. I should have flagged it as the "Crayonista Express". Do look on Google again in a few days, though, and you'll probably be sent to this public thread.
One problem one might have with such an idea is where to park the stock for three hours, carriage sidings are few and far between these days as are run round facilities so may have to be top and tailed.
Indeed - though I think you'll find that there are sidings at/near destination in most cases, and a platform it can occupy at Stratford-upon-Avon. Yes, I would go for top 'n tail - though I recall an old 4TC kicking around (in LT colours?) which would do well with a 33 or 73 on it - just top, or just tail? Would put paid to the "First Class Only" mind.
My other concerns were crew route knowledge and the complexity of needing pilots because of a lack staff with the traction / route combo. And all the intracompany stuff needed. Also concerned as to how long a train can come off the west coastal route into Brighton then head northward, whether locomotives can run into Portsmouth Harbour any more, and a host of other issues which - being crayonista - I have been able to gloss over.
But wouldn't it be both fun and a great promotion for getting back on rail?
