Polar Express in Birmingham

Possibly, but as the late John Leach once said the SVR's also in competition with places like Merry Hill Shopping Centre that has a Santas Grotto. We'll just have to wait and see, various 'normal' friends of mine have taken their Children to see Santa at Arley, and all of them without said what a great day out they've had, as someone who experienced as a child, and then worked on the SVR's Santa Specials it's a very slick operation. After 40 odd years of operation it must be doing something right.

 

Not quite, they lost it due to non payment...

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I appreciate you say “may not”, however notwithstanding do you have any sort of idea how much work goes into the SRPS rake at Bo’ness every year?

The external paint finish may not match those with the resources to repaint every-year (and the overhanging vegetation on many of the Scottish routes is awful), but the interiors and mechanical condition of the stock is very good. There is a reason the stock is very much in demand -Steam Dreams, WCRC, DB, and VT being amongst the customers who have hired the stock in recent years!

 

The SRPS Stock was excellent on the Heart of Wales trip, an absolute credit to the volunteers. Even the external finish was great until it went down the green tunnel that is the line between Craven Arms and Llandovery...

 

I stand corrected on the "may not". Otherwise my point stands. VT's own coaches were fit to carry passengers last year when operated by West Coast but aren't allowed to carry passengers now until some more paperwork has been done.
I find it somewhat reminiscent of the situation with the Ebor Flyer (before the breakdown) when the loco was allowed to run at 90 mph and Mk I coaches were (and are) allowed to run at 100 mph but together they would have been limited to 75 mph, so Mk IIs had to be used.

 

If Weardale/DCR couldn't make the figures add up, how can VT with the cost of NR track access (and hire of the SRPS set)?

 

I believe the reason that Polar Express ceased at DCR railways was a dispute with the copyright holders. Whether the trains were profitable or not was never totally clear - there must have been very high income but the staging also sounded expensive, and of course the level of licence fee is crucial.

Steven

 

Times now on RTT http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/BMO/2018/11/30/0000-2359?stp=S&show=all&order=wtt Moor Street to Tyseley Up and Down Through Sidings

 

I wish them every success in this venture, but its a bit bleeding pricy for essentially a 40 minute round trip, there doesn't seem to be any kids concession so for us (two adults and a tiddler) it would be £75-89 depending on which train we were to choose. We are going on the WCRC one all the way round the Hellifield loop (from recollection it takes about 3-4 hours) and that's costing £80 and includes food for us all and a gift for the tiny terror.

BTW reading what the 'experience' will be it sounds absolutely lovely and I am sure the kids will be having an absolute ball, but I would not be heeding the request to wear my pyjamas's!

I really hope this works and pays for them!

 

A number of the weekend trains have sold out by looks of the website, but still availability mid-week, so hopefully a good sign. This appears to be pitched more as a theatre performance than a train ride (or Santa special), in that respect the prices are probably comparable. Will be interesting to see what the feedback is like. I honestly hope this pays off well for them.

 

Not looked in detail but popped up on Facebook that they have special deals available for Black Friday and over the weekend!

 

There has been a trial run today with 4965 and 50007.

 

4965 pulling into Moor Street just before 1500 this afternoon, passing the water column. Been a while since a GWR loco graced the bay platforms here...

 

Got to feel sorry for the kids having to suffer a "Christmas" log back to Tyseley.

 

The water columns at Moor St are not defunct. They are not used regularly, but they are operational. The Bays at Moor St have been used by operational Steam locos quite a few times, 4965, 5043 and panniers have all used them.

 

My apologies, I was never aware they had been used in recent memory, hopefully both can happen more often in the new era of Western steam.

 

A Hall is unlikely to ever look like the loco in The Polar Express - in comparison the S 160 operating at Telford Steam Railway really does look the part with big headlight and cow catcher.

 

I accept what you say, but given the shortage of American locomotives in the UK I suppose any large loco with tender would suffice. Most certainly a tan engine would not be ideal, worse still any type of diesel.
Always a good excuse for 'big chuffers'.

 

I can just imagine the fun gauging that, let alone paying the money for all the mainline gubbins.