Scarborough Spa Express 2010

I am by no means an expert on mainline charters but is it possible that West Coast simply can't get a path suitable for steam running on the Leeds/ Garforth/ York section of line anymore? I had a run behind 70013 at the beginning of September last year on the SSE and you got the impression it was fairly steady up to Leeds on the morning circular leg (through Knaresborough/ Harrogate) before really going for it on the Leeds/ York section, presumably to keep out of the way of the Trans Pennine expresses. A chap with a GPS next to me consistently recorded the loco running at about 75mph for most of the way.

 

Ok….UK Steam have the route of the Scarborough Spa Express as York-Harrogate-Leeds-Scarborough and return. However West Coast, on their new website, say the route and timings are still to be confirmed. Their site also states the following “What better way to enjoy North Yorkshire’s beautiful countryside, visit the historic city of York or the seaside town of Scarborough, than by travelling aboard a vintage steam hauled train?” Is the route changing for 2010? Anyone know?

 

As far as i'm aware its the same as last year?

When WCRC are going to open bookings i don't know,not such an issue for the evening circle or for many enthusiasts for that matter,but the day tripper people wont have long to book.

 

It looks like it'll be next week:

http://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/sse/overview.html

Timetable and route for 2010 will be confirmed on the 12th May 2010, along with the online bookings.

 

Times & route now online

http://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/sse/dates.html#

Neil

 

I note they are still using a Knaresborough shot on the SSE web page.

 

I think the map needs a bit of revision.
Last time I saw a loco on the M62 and A1 it was on the back of a lowloader.

 

What do we think to the new route? Better or Worse ?

What about 5972 as the main locomotive. 3/4 weeks of the same loco.....erm????

 

The route is pretty dire - flat and uninteresting. The choice of loco. must be an attempt to mitigate this and try to inject some appeal to the family market, because enthusiasts are not going to buy this package as they have the Harrogate circle in previous years.

 

There are good and bad points to the new itinerary. Later start and earlier finish is a good thing mainly; however it means I, and probably some others, won't be able to do the evening circular trip in the evening after work. I'm not sure about missing out Leeds either. But time will tell if the change will be sucessfull, especially by using 5972 as the main loco. I'll probably travel on a couple but not as many as last year.

 

Boring route in my opinion. Should of Gone Milford,Pontefract East Jn,Pontefract Monkhill,Featherstone,Wakefield Kirkgate-Westgate. 2 climbs of about 1 in 100 in both directions,this route doesn't even include Micklefield bank (?). 5972 will make a change,hopefully we'll see some of the other locos that are banned via the loop. Would like to do some but i work in the evening so i doubt that will happen. Might get out to see a few.

The prices are very good,but i would question whether Woodlesford and Normanton will really attract the crowds,in this day and age?

I was going to mention the climb to Ardsley out of Leeds,but i then realised it doesn't go in that direction. Might get a good video of it passing Outwood,should just be getting up to speed.

A case of waiting and seeing how it goes on.

 

West Coast have obviously done their research on this one, however i'm intrigued by the Woodlesfood stop, i'm sure the car park must have no more than 20 car park spaces which will be fill by 9am anyway by commuters, a train only every half an hour with a connection from Leeds, what family in their right mind will want to wait an extra 20 minutes after been dropped off in the evening which brings them to 20:26 when arriving back in Leeds after a long, tiring day and with a bunch of tired, screaming kids?

I personally don't understand the move, ok the choice of engines is wider but things were managed ok in 2009 weren't they? The 2009 trains were fully seated from what I remember from the middle to the end... Also far more potential people are customers in my eyes from Harrogate & Knaresborough as there are more 'upper class' people and tourists (No disrespect to the people of Wakefield, I know there are 'Upper Class' people living there...) I think WCR are going to be in for a tough season, especially with the lack of enthusiasts wishing to travel behind such less challenging route but also with RTC also running tours through Wakefield on a Friday to Scarborough.

I wish them the best of luck, but I personally think passenger numbers could be down on previous years. But yet I could be proved wrong...

 

RTC do ok with their SF's from Wakey on Fridays,i don't know how the 3 times a week job will go on though,4 days a week could kill it off.

 

That is exactly were my point was leading. Is there really enough buisness in Wakefield for 4 trips to Scarborough a week? Only time will tell...

 

As i said in my first post,i think the ticket price could attract a few people,but there are some folk in these parts that still think 40 odd quid is a rip-off,they appear to expect it to be free!

 

I think on this route West Coast have the advantage of price, £35 from Wakefield as £47 with RTC on the Fridays Flyer. I will give it a go from Wakefield. Cant understand why Leeds is missed out people from the Harrogate circle could have connected here. We'll have to wait and see how it goes. Oh and what about the booking charges ?
Brian

 

Sic Transit Gloria Mundi

I will just have to find something else to do on summer evenings in 2010