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Skipton-Appleby Service: 20/7 to 12/9/20

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by RalphW, Jun 24, 2020.

  1. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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    I'd read the grauniad article about 125s.

    Given where they are going and given the current emphasis on distancing etc, I would have thought they would have majored more on bicycles. With 2 power car guards compartments, you'd think there'd be room for more than 12 in one and have the other left over for storage
     
  2. 30567

    30567 Part of the furniture Friend

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    But they are not 125s.
     
  3. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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    1) is that definite? posts above show they've got a 125
    2) I didn't know that when I wrote it. hence I was explaining my comment.
     
  4. Macko

    Macko Member

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    Stock confirmed as ex GA Mk3 first open coaches (four) and a Mk 2 BSK for storage/crew support. It will be top and tailed Class 47's and an LSL 47 has spent the week crew training/refreshing on the Skipton/Appleby route.
     
  5. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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    I wonder if there's any specific reason not to put a full brake in the consist?

    I know I harp on about it, but lack of bike space is always cited as a reason for lack of uptake on leisure railways.

    In fact, I'd go further and see if a bike hire business will want to offer an add-on hire service.

    But then I'm not a rail operator
     
  6. guycarr360

    guycarr360 Part of the furniture

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    Maybe passengers, profitability, turnaround time, is more important than storage for bicycles.
     
  7. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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    Five vehicles and a 47 at each end.
    Would a 6th vehicle make any real difference?
    It won't carry any less passengers, it won't make any difference to train turnaround time (there may be a loading issue)
    If you offer more cycle space, you may attract more passengers (you broaden from railtour passengers to people who want to go cycling and people who are willing to use cycling to go to an attraction nearby).
    Everything is a cost/benefit analysis.

    Profitability is what it is, what I am asking is if there is a physical reason (train length? time-keeping?) that blows it out of the water. How much extra fuel does the engine burn to shift the full brake
     
  8. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Possibly train length. If you want all the passenger vehicles on the platform then you may not be able to fit an extra coach in the platform.

    Edit - if you can fit 12 bikes in the half brake, that's still probably 10 more than you can comfortably fit on a normal service.
     
  9. 30567

    30567 Part of the furniture Friend

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    Two comments.

    1. This has been put together in a heck of a hurry with the co-operation of NR, Northern, LSL and other parties. Who knows what coaching stock was available and FTR at that notice.

    2. I wonder how many bikers clubs from Otley, Ilkley, Keighley, Colne etc--- places you can get to Skipton for an 0830 departure--- would be interested in shelling out £34 per head for a day out to Appleby. That kind of thing needs marketing, advance discussions, the sort of thing there probably wasn't time for. Similarly the website is weak on what to do in/around Appleby for seven hours (!).

    I agree with you that Appleby is a good bike destination with a mix of easy and hard days possible. But how big is the market? I wonder how many days they will exceed their twelve capacity.
     
  10. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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    Agreed re put together quickly, and agreed that 12 is at least 10 better than usual (in fact, I'd say 12 better...)

    In terms of market, I simply don't know, but if Otley Wheelers want to do it, I'd guess there'd be more than 12 of them. But equally, to find things to do in Appleby for that long seems challenging for anyone not on a bicycle.

    I can see a market that could be possibly be developed, and as a loco-hauled set, they would seem on the face of it to be freed of the usual multiple-unit constraints on the issue.

    Get it right and you could grow a market for sustainable holiday-making that uses spare capacity to everyone's benefit.
     
  11. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    I think that 5 coaches is around the max for Appleby northbound.
     
  12. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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    oh well, that's a definite reason not to then. (possibly in non cov-19 times a goer, but not now).
     
  13. Will RL

    Will RL Member

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  14. NeilL

    NeilL Well-Known Member

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    Good bit on BBC breakfast this morning about yesterdays first run. Good weather helped the views and helicopter shots. Best bit of advertising they could have had.
     
  15. iancawthorne

    iancawthorne Well-Known Member

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    There was a feature on it on ITV local news last night too. Pete Waterman interviewed while travelling. Interestingly the reporter stated "as it's a charter, face masks do not have to be worn on board".
     
  16. 2392

    2392 Well-Known Member

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    There was also one on the Tyneside episode of the BBC's Look North too.
     
  17. grid56126

    grid56126 New Member

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    How many full brake coaches are available ? Most have presumably been turned down as half brakes are a very useful bit of kit for support vehicles / staff accomodation and you need a "brake" vehicle. The cost of keeping a full brake in a good state for the main line for bike conveyance will be very high. Never say never, is it 400% increase ridership since Covid? Perhaps find a rake and use them for the London / Brighton to remove all the hired lorries every year.
     
  18. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    The same as on Saphos. If social distancing is maintained through the seating arrangements then masks are not compulsory when seated. However, whether all folk will consider that the inside of a sealed train is sufficiently 'open' is another matter but that's for individuals to decide.
     
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  19. Fred Kerr

    Fred Kerr Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    The rake of stock as used yesterday on the first day

    D6817-04g.jpg
     
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  20. 46223

    46223 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Just watched BBC Breakfast on i-player about this. Looked as if most passengers were wearing masks.
    I thought the service was booked 47x2 T&T but was that a green 37 at one end?

    Yes! Fred's photo came on as I was typing!:)
     

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