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Saphos: Blue Peter to Carlisle - 12/02/26; Sir Nigel Gresley - 11/03/26

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by dmr, Dec 15, 2025.

  1. dmr

    dmr New Member

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    Blue Peter in February and Sir Nigel Gresley in March on the Shap trips with £99 fare
     
    dmr, Dec 15, 2025
    #1
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  2. Julian Jones

    Julian Jones Member

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    I have asked Saphos whether these two trips are planned to be unassisted steam on the steam legs and they have responded:

    “We have requested that there will not be a diesel on the back of the train”.

    Julian
     
    Julian Jones, Dec 15, 2025
    #2
  3. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

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    As it is their own trip with their own loco who would they be asking "permission" from?
     
    Gladiator 5076, Dec 15, 2025
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  4. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    it is but presumably saphos is still distinct to LS as TOC who then need to request no diesel on the rear and a separate path when submitting the plan request to NR
     
    Sidmouth, Dec 15, 2025
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  5. NathanP

    NathanP Well-Known Member

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    They are specifically promoting these as an opportunity to "measure the performance of our Class 8 Pacific locomotives", so that would imply there will be no diesel.
     
    NathanP, Dec 15, 2025
    #5
  6. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    On paper this is looking like heaven. This is what many of us have all wanted. Pure steam with star locos at bargain prices. Only minor downside is no S&C return, though I may be asking a bit too much given the price.
     
    LMarsh1987, Dec 15, 2025
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  7. 34002salisbury

    34002salisbury New Member

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    Oh so nearly there, but the £99 for Euston-Crewe and return is a tad much, especially with peak time travel/hotels required in London for such a folly.

    The £99 Crewe-Carlisle steam legs are decent value. Can't complain on that!

    Maybe next time :)
     
    34002salisbury, Dec 15, 2025
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  8. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

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    There are cheaper fares to Crewe than £99 but you need to have to buy an advance both ways, which for a railtour comes with a serious amount of non refundable risk.
    Also depends if you can get to Euston very early and back late at night. Hotels in Crewe will be way cheaper than central London.

    Saphos standard class image shows a Mk1, do they have a TSO still?
     
    Gladiator 5076, Dec 15, 2025
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  9. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Possibly Network Rail.
     
    MellishR, Dec 16, 2025
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  10. 30567

    30567 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    At the minimum Network Rail train planners need to know what is being requested at Carlisle for the shunt moves.
     
    30567, Dec 16, 2025
    #10
  11. Spotter

    Spotter New Member

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    Just 2 weeks to go now to the "Blue Peter" Shap trip, lets hope this time Saphos can match the allocated seats on the ticket letter to the actually marked seats in the carriage in Standard. With the "Duke" trip in Nov 25, this required the steward to sort this out on the day, the problem being that the Euston - Crewe steward was replaced at Crewe by another for the Shap Trip, chaos ensued for most passengers as all seemed to struggle to find their correct seat. A full timing sheet and tour booklet would also be appreciated.
     
    Spotter, Jan 29, 2026 at 10:07 AM
    #11
  12. charterboy

    charterboy Member

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    Ticket arrived this morning for Saphos Blue Peter tour to Carlisle on Thurs 12th Feb

    Confirmed timings
    Crewe 10:35
    Carlisle 14:20-17:10
    Crewe 20:35
     
    charterboy, Feb 2, 2026 at 11:32 AM
    #12
  13. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

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    Snap!! same here!
     
    neildimmer, Feb 2, 2026 at 1:13 PM
    #13
  14. Jonno854

    Jonno854 New Member

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    Slightly surprised to find myself allocated different seats for the diesel and steam sections!
     
    Jonno854, Feb 2, 2026 at 6:13 PM
    #14
  15. charterboy

    charterboy Member

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    charterboy, Feb 3, 2026 at 8:49 PM
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