Ultimate pacer ride for charity

[Zoe]

Are you sure you want to start from Thurso? I know it's further North but if you went form Wick it would be just about the longest journey possible without using silly routes. If you are thinking of doing this for charity then it could also be an idea for everyone to start at John O'Groats and travel to Wick to board the train and then once you arrrive at Penzance then travel to Land's End.

 

[strange6]

Are you sure you want to start from Thurso? I know it's further North but if you went form Wick it would be just about the longest journey possible without using silly routes. If you are thinking of doing this for charity then it could also be an idea for everyone to start at John O'Groats and travel to Wick to board the train and then once you arrrive at Penzance then travel to Land's End.

That's a fair point! Thanks! I'm sure one of the TOC's would find us a suitable train; the stumbling block would probably be the drivers and network rail. I'm going to have a think about this and write some emails

 

[OxtedL]

Thinking practically for a second, maybe using sprinters would be easier. Then you could get say FGW and Scotrail more easily involved.

Doing a switch somewhere would be an answer to certain problems - you wouldn't even have to get off with corridor connections... I'm sure first would love it!

That said, a driver who gets stuck in the wrong end of a 153 for 6 hours...

 

[strange6]

Thinking practically for a second, maybe using sprinters would be easier. Then you could get say FGW and Scotrail more easily involved.

Doing a switch somewhere would be an answer to certain problems - you wouldn't even have to get off with corridor connections... I'm sure first would love it!

That said, a driver who gets stuck in the wrong end of a 153 for 6 hours...

I know; you pick on one of the problems of pulling this off. Everybody recognises that the pacer is generally the most uncomfortable of transport which makes it more publicity friendly! Good point though and thanks for it!
We could even plug this fine forum on the train! I would be interested in what the Admins have to say on the subject; especially Mojo who has worked for a TOC (and perhaps still does!)

 

[OxtedL]

Hey, if you can get someone to drag an electrostar/desiro up there and back, then I'm in, but otherwise...

If you know the right people (many of whom might be reading this ahem), you could pull it off. Just need some celebrities and the BBC behind you.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Oh yeah - you also need something for these celebs to be doing on the pacer. Any ideas? Tightropes are out of the question...

 

[strange6]

Hey, if you can get someone to drag an electrostar/desiro up there and back, then I'm in, but otherwise...

If you know the right people (many of whom might be reading this ahem), you could pull it off. Just need some celebrities and the BBC behind you.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Oh yeah - you also need something for these celebs to be doing on the pacer. Any ideas? Tightropes are out of the question...

I think Northern would be on for this; I'll email Mr Bevan for his opinion

 

[wintonian]

They could stop off every so often and be filmed visiting a local project to show how the money is spent.

 

[Anon Mouse]

I think it may be difficult to get use of one of the home based ones. However I would imagine it may be easier to see if Iranian Railways will let us do a grand tour of Iran in one of their former WYPTE 141's......I'm sure the 141's are the reason they want to bomb the West!

 

[yorksrob]

I suppose with various cascades and transfers about to take place, it might be the ideal time to borrow one before it's spoken for (or let us borrow one of the nice ones with the purple upholstery and proper seats).

 

[GearJammer]

start at John O'Groats and travel to Wick to board the train and then once you arrrive at Penzance then travel to Land's End.

Using a preserved Leyland National bus of corse

 

[Blindtraveler]

Waw! Thats all i can say, Waw!!!!
Count, me, in! It wil be an experience and a great fundraiser.

On a practicle note, would a micannic or 2 with the correct pacer experience be a worth while addition? as to taking celebs, micle palins a bit of a train man, and as to giving them something to do, leav them toilet cleaning, rubbish collecting and food serving to them, leaving the enthusiasts to enjoy the run and, urm, book themselves a ful medical after!
Strange6, do you need help investigating, if so again count me in!

 

[yorksrob]

Using a preserved Leyland National bus of corse

Nah, that's over - egging the pudding !

To solve the Thurso versus Wick Problem I'd do furthest mainline/branchline. Start at Wick, as it's the furthest point on the mainline, but go via Thurso to get the branch. Then, go to Penzance, to get the furthest point on the network, but finish with a quick trip to St Ives to get the furthest branchline. Then all bases are covered (Plus I love St Ives ). PS, I'm aware that the Pacers had to be removed from the Cornish branches due to excessive wear, but I'm sure it could survive one return trip.

 

[Zoe]

Nah, that's over - egging the pudding

Maybe not on a Leyland National bus but considering how close you are at both ends of the journey it would be unfortunate to miss out on a LEJOG claim.

 

[yorksrob]

Maybe not on a Leyland National bys but considering how close you are at both ends of the journey it would be unfortunate to miss out on a LEJOG claim.

Maybe, but I just think the branchlines are more important

 

[OxtedL]

Although, if you were going to do this seriously , you wouldn't do the branch lines or any bashing of any kind, it would have to be a straightforward end to end job.

 

[yorksrob]

Why choose, get the end to end in as well - OK start at Thurso and reverse at Wick

 

[Yew]

I could be intrested, even if its just for a spell in the midlands. raising money for chairty is always good, and children in need is a brilliant idea

 

[Ivo]

So is this actually becoming a serious proposal? Are we seriously looking at Children in Need 2011 then?



Or... Am I reading to much into it?

 

[HST Power]

Do we have dates for the Pacer ride?

I might be able to do it, seeing as it's for a charity.

 

[Blindtraveler]

as far as i'm concerned its serius, have even offered my assistance setting it up!

 

[Ivo]

as far as i'm concerned its serius, have even offered my assistance setting it up!

Then ditto.

If this is being taken seriously, I'm more than in.

 

[strange6]

Then ditto.

If this is being taken seriously, I'm more than in.

Well, as far as dates are concerned, that's a little premature at the moment! This is, after all, a very costly and time consuming project. The first thing you have to do is to put 'feelers' out to very important men such as the CEO of TOC's and senior management at Network Rail. Depending on what they say will determine if this project has any viability!

 

[Blindtraveler]

can we help?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Given the logistics I'd suggest C-i-N 2012 is more realistic?

 

[strange6]

Given the logistics I'd suggest C-i-N 2012 is more realistic?

I would think you're right there, Peter.

 

[Zoe]

I still think it would be good if the journey could be part of a LEJOG. It's only about 30 miles extra distance and it would may get get more publicity if it was part of a LEJOG.

 

[strange6]

I still think it would be good if the journey could be part of a LEJOG. It's only about 30 miles extra distance and I would may get get more publicity if it was part of a LEJOG.

I agree. No point in doing it if you're not prepared to go the full distance whatever means that may be!

 

[gedj2]

I'd be up for it, sounds like a very good plan

 

[Zoe]

I agree. No point in doing it if you're not prepared to go the full distance whatever means that may be!

Note my typing error above. I was suggesting that it would good more publicity if it was a LEJOG, not me personally.

 

[strange6]

Note my typing error above. I was suggesting that it would good more publicity if it was a LEJOG, not me personally.

I'll send out a few feelers but to tell you the truth, I'm not expecting much! Perhaps if you could get the publicity sorted beforehand, they would jump at the chance! Besides, for a company like Northern, it wouldn't cost that much to send one of their 142's a thousand or so miles in terms of national publicity generated. The sticking block would be the people to drive the thing as far as I'm concerned