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Author Topic: Staycation Express - how about something in the south?  (Read 4962 times)
grahame
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« Reply #15 on: July 25, 2020, 19:03:32 »

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.

Quote
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?
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« Reply #16 on: July 26, 2020, 16:59:43 »

One further issue with Weymouth being a major destination - and also a slight digression for this post.

NR» (Network Rail - home page) have closed the (non-electrified) extension of the Jersey Siding at Weymouth. I believe I have read that this was a formal closure. Currently the crossover in this area formerly used for running round of locomotives is also barriered off with a sleeper making it non-usable.

Now there is a run-round facility (loco release) in Platforms 1 and 2 at Weymouth but I have never seen it used. So is this the way forward for future excursions, or will it be some top/tail arrangement using the now common diesel tail loco, or is the Jersey Siding issue just a temporary problem? There are some steam specials scheduled in August so let us see the result, unless anyone knows the answer now!
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bradshaw
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« Reply #17 on: July 26, 2020, 17:08:12 »

Two solutions have been used in the past. Those coming from Westbury/Salisbury tend to change the engine at Yeovil for servicing with the train being hauled by diesel from Yeovil and the steam loco travelling down later. It then takes the train back from Weymouth.

Those from Southampton have been hauled by attached diesel to Southampton and then by the steam engine via Laverstock.

Neither 'Traksy' nor 'OpenTrainTimes' show an engine release road on their maps.
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johnneyw
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« Reply #18 on: April 25, 2021, 13:24:07 »

The original Staycation express has confirmed that, after a successful trail last year they are resuming from July with a few tweaks plus the option of adding October half term and Christmas break services.  I'll try to add a link to the article that I read this in shortly.

From the Yorkshire Post:

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/the-staycation-express-will-return-to-the-settle-to-carlisle-line-this-summer-with-an-intercity125-dining-train-a-longer-route-and-a-new-timetable-3212174
« Last Edit: April 25, 2021, 13:30:23 by johnneyw » Logged
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