Buxton spa express

For me the answer is relativity simple, too many too often. The Cotton Mill/Buxton/Tin Bath were all due within a few weeks of each other. Just space them out (monthly/bi-monthly), run them in rotation, juggle the motive power (occasional guest loco) and they will fill again. There is a limit to the depth of people's pockets, when decisions have to be made it's the "done that before" which goes first. You can only milk a cash cow so much before in runs dry, it needs time to fill up again!
The ELR may have many problems like other Heritage railways, management amongst them, but I don't agree that the lack of other "attractions" close by effectively caps visitors. Lots of other lines are in that situation, the GCR may have two Cities near by (?attractions), but the ELR has Manchester/Salford and many large conurbation towns on the door step to attract passengers. Variation of motive power and regular enthusiasts weekends work wonders, especially if advertised well. Harold.

 

Seems April Buxton Spa is cancelled also due to pathing problems at Peak Forest.

Dave

 

Was there an April Buxton scheduled? I may be wrong but I thought there were just three on the cards, this weekend's, one in July and one in November.

 

Correct, there has never has been an April Buxton Spa scheduled.

 

This is / was a diesel hauled tour run by UK Railtours, not a steam hauled Buxton Spa Express promoted by PTR.

 

I sincerely doubt that Network Rail control, who have the final authority on all train movements, would fail a train on the basis that the steam heating had failed.