Tornado to haul certain timetabled trains on S&C: Feb 14-16

Bit of a dodgy connection 1039 to 1044. But one thing they changed since earlier on RTT is that they moved the steam train from P3 to P2 so maybe they intend both the 0947 and the 0956 to connect into the (not) special. The thought of a couple of hundred people stampeding down that underpass at the last minute to get from P1 to P3 was not a pleasant one. I wonder if the working timetable for the special might end up at more like 1050 dep.

 

I just hope that staff are on hand to help ordinary passengers with luggage (especially the not-so-young) or children. They will be scrambling for whatever places remain on a train which will already be well filled with enthusiasts who are canny enough to get to Skipton on earlier trains.

 

I have this evening tried to book on the Tornado trips. The booking engines initially say seats are reservable, but when you attempt to do so then say that none are available. Does anyone know if there were any seats which were reservable and, if so, how many - and how many will be a 'free-for-all'? (Or, even, have the seat reservation allocations yet to be set?)

 

Probably because seats are not reservable on Northern train services anyway.

Dave B

 

I can see nothing on the NR website promoting this, but I see no news type page there. Perhaps tomorrow?

http://www.settle-carlisle.co.uk/tickets-on-sale-for-tornado-hauled-services/ is a new URL for this on their site. Note they state 'no standing passengers', which rather detracts from it being a normal NR service for many commuters!

 

Plus it says - "customers are strongly advised that only those with a seat reservation will be assured of a seat. " and "There will be no standing permitted on these services"

 

Tickets are sort of buyable on the Northern Rail Site. Fares are showing as £17 single but oddly showing as Anytime Singles.

 

I have just bought tickets through the Northern Rail website, including seat reservations. I checked VTEC which also got as far as reserving seats. All rail booking websites (as this is a 'normal' service with normal ticket validity) should sell you tickets. Northern offer first class postage at no cost. Also, as Northern are undertaking this venture, I think customers should support Northern by buying through their website so they get the retail cut on ticket selling. Andrew.

 

The Northern Rail timings seem to be a little shot already.

The trains on RTT/Northern Rail are:

2Z22 0825 APP-SKI;
2Z53 1044 SKI-APP;
2Z23 1457 APP-SKI;
2Z54 1715 SKI-APP.

Reservations seem random. Booked all 4 for the 14th, ticked 'Forward Facing' and only got 1 pair forward facing, 3 pairs back.

For Senior Railcard Holders the price is a staggering £11.20 per train for 56 miles of steam.

 

Just booked, 1507 now up, showing as 1457. Midland Hotel in Appleby will be doing brisk trade for at least 3 days in February ! (if its open ?)
Booked 1 pair, got coach A windows facing, both ways...

 

Anything on the Positioning / ECS moves ?

 

From Northern
https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/n...e-for-tornado-s-visit-to-settle-carlisle-line

 

It seems that after 52 years Northern has abandoned the 24-hour clock.

 

Two main trains reserved seats more or less gone all three days.

 

Following on from the previous post there remains good availability on the early Appleby to Skipton and the late afternoon Skipton to Appleby on all three days

 

And for those of able body and sharp elbow it seems three of the seven coaches are unreserved.

 

We've booked on all trains on the 15th and 16th but only have reservations on the first and last trains. Good to see bookings going so well.

 

Just booked Appleby - Skipton - Appleby on the 15th. Accommodation booked at a Travelodge on the M6 - I would be kicking myself if I didn't do this. Coach C outward, no reservation available on the 10:45am return - but at least I will be on train on arrival. I think those turning up speculatively at Skipton without a reservation may now end up being disappointed if the no standing rule is enforced. £20 for S&C steam both ways has got to be done plus it will be my first trip behind Tornado on the mainline - what a way to do it with a true Plandampf. Ironic to think that the motive power is significantly newer than most of Northern's normal traction!

 

It's not really a regular service train if you have to reserve your tickets in advance and can't stand is it? What if you're a normal and have an anytime return ticket and choose to travel on this train, unbeknown that it will be full of enthusiasts, will you be turned away? It's basically a series of steam specials with reduced fares.