Locomotive Services Fleet (LSL) updates

[bleeder4]

Bit of a bummer if you're a single traveller, like me. The website forces you to pay the £50 table for two supplement, so a ticket for one person First Class is £245. And if you're a party of three, you're forced to pay for the 4th seat at the table as well.

Several call at Chesterfield, but Midland Pullman avoids Sheffield altogether. We're looking at the Midland Pullman Penzance weekend in May.

Do any LSL group tours call at Sheffield in 2024?

Doesn't look like it. All I can see is a Statesman to Edinburgh in December this year - nothing for next year.

They're also not doing their three-day Scottish trips to Mallaig or Kyle next year.

 

[Killingworth]

Bit of a bummer if you're a single traveller, like me. The website forces you to pay the £50 table for two supplement, so a ticket for one person First Class is £245. And if you're a party of three, you're forced to pay for the 4th seat at the table as well.



Doesn't look like it. All I can see is a Statesman to Edinburgh in December this year - nothing for next year.

They're also not doing their three-day Scottish trips to Mallaig or Kyle next year.

I presume they'll be adding further tours later in the year so may have found Sheffield by then. There are some blockades between Sheffield/Dore and Chesterfield until April to allow for connecting signalling and track for the Hope Valley Capacity Scheme so may be playing safe and giving it a few more months safety margin.

I know of a single lady who'd booked another operator's special and had it cancelled at very short notice because they needed her single seat to sell as a double. She'd been looking forward to it as a highlight of her year.

 

[Blindtraveler]

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There are links at the bottom, but they're not formatted as such, I'm afraid. I've googled and pasted them below:

Statesman - https://www.statesmanrail.com/trips-tours/
Saphos - https://saphostrains.com/trips-tours/
Midland Pullman - https://midlandpullman.com/trips-tours/
Intercity - https://inter-city.co.uk/trips-tours/

There's nothing there for 2024 that I could see, but perhaps it will be updated later today.

Very much appreciated there thank you

 

[Iskra]

Bit of a bummer if you're a single traveller, like me. The website forces you to pay the £50 table for two supplement, so a ticket for one person First Class is £245. And if you're a party of three, you're forced to pay for the 4th seat at the table as well.



Doesn't look like it. All I can see is a Statesman to Edinburgh in December this year - nothing for next year.

They're also not doing their three-day Scottish trips to Mallaig or Kyle next year.

Some of LSL's booking policies leave something to be desired and it is disappointing that they continue with these practices. I was considering a Midland Pullman trip next year, but I won't bother now as I'm not paying £50 extra for no apparent reason. Other tour operators manage to seat everybody just fine.

There doesn't seem to be a single surcharge on their Intercity brand, which is positive, but then equally a negative because of the then lack of consistency.

Thankfully, there are plenty of other operators to choose from

 

[The_Train]

Bit of a bummer if you're a single traveller, like me. The website forces you to pay the £50 table for two supplement, so a ticket for one person First Class is £245. And if you're a party of three, you're forced to pay for the 4th seat at the table as well.

Not sure where you have that from? I have booked as a single traveller today - paid £99 to sit at a table of 4

 

[Iskra]

Not sure where you have that from? I have booked as a single traveller today - paid £99 to sit at a table of 4

That’s with Intercity I assume, the poster you’re quoting is discussing Midland Pullman trips.

 

[The_Train]

That’s with Intercity I assume, the poster you’re quoting is discussing Midland Pullman trips.

Oh, apologies, yeah it was with Intercity for me. Didn't realise they did that with the Pullman trips although I've not yet ever got close to booking one of those owing to the prices

 

[43055]

What's Sheffield done to upset them? We'll have to join at Chesterfield.

Hopefully more trips to come later in the year.

My first thought is probably capacity. With Chesterfield you have platform 3 which is free for much of the day.

 

[Kite159]

My first thought is probably capacity. With Chesterfield you have platform 3 which is free for much of the day.

And trains can bypass the busy Sheffield corridor by going via Barrow Hill, one excuse I think which was once given by Pathfinder.

 

[Virgin Voyager]

"the bonus of both a Class 86 and a Class 87 hauling the train during the journey"

Will it be double headed? Or will there be a swap at Ayr? Thanks

 

[D6130]

"the bonus of both a Class 86 and a Class 87 hauling the train during the journey"

Will it be double headed? Or will there be a swap at Ayr? Thanks

Will it be able to get to Ayr, given the ongoing station hotel saga?

 

[31160]

"the bonus of both a Class 86 and a Class 87 hauling the train during the journey"

Will it be double headed? Or will there be a swap at Ayr? Thanks

Are you sure its both reading the advert its pretty much states either/or

 

[19Gnasher69]

Are you sure its both reading the advert its pretty much states either/or

The either/or seems to refer to the historical traction types on the Ayr services. As VV notes, the advert does state that both an 86 and 87 will be used for the tour. As much as I’d like to see them double-headed, I’m sure T&T will be the reality!

 

[31160]

The either/or seems to refer to the historical traction types on the Ayr services. As VV notes, the advert does state that both an 86 and 87 will be used for the tour. As much as I’d like to see them double-headed, I’m sure T&T will be the reality!

You are indeed correct on re reading that is indeed what it states

 

[Virgin Voyager]

Just read through the terms and conditions and couldn't find anything relating to this but just wanted to check do LSL accept bookings from under 18s travelling alone? Granted I'm over 16.

 

[CW2]

The either/or seems to refer to the historical traction types on the Ayr services. As VV notes, the advert does state that both an 86 and 87 will be used for the tour. As much as I’d like to see them double-headed, I’m sure T&T will be the reality!

Double heading would be unlikely as it would restrict the maximum speed of the train (to 80mph IIRC). Limitation caused by two pantographs in close proximity.

 

[renegademaster]

Would it not most likely be top and tail?

 

[The_Train]

Would it not most likely be top and tail?

That was certainly my assumption of how the formation would be

 

[12LDA28C]

My first thought is probably capacity. With Chesterfield you have platform 3 which is free for much of the day.

All the LSL tours I've done have taken the 'old road' from Chesterfield to Masborough hence avoiding Sheffield. Anyone expecting a tour out of their home station might have to be prepared to drive to the next most convenient pick-up point. It's hardly a major imposition. If I waited for a tour to pick up in my town I'd never go on a charter train, simple as that.

 

[Fred_Scott]

Thanks to everyone for the detailed updates on LSL's fleet. It's fascinating to see the range of liveries and the efforts to maintain such a diverse collection of rolling stock. I was particularly interested in the status of the HST vehicles at Eastleigh and the potential assembly of a first-class dining rake. Does anyone have more information on the operational plans for these carriages, or any upcoming charter services they might be used for?

 

[Iskra]

Thanks to everyone for the detailed updates on LSL's fleet. It's fascinating to see the range of liveries and the efforts to maintain such a diverse collection of rolling stock. I was particularly interested in the status of the HST vehicles at Eastleigh and the potential assembly of a first-class dining rake. Does anyone have more information on the operational plans for these carriages, or any upcoming charter services they might be used for?

I have heard that there’s a second Midland Pullman set being formed up to help cater to demand and allow for maintenance on the other one.

 

[Jamesrob637]

I have heard that there’s a second Midland Pullman set being formed up to help cater to demand and allow for maintenance on the other one.

I thought that there was a backup set anyway; it's just not often used.

 

[Iskra]

I thought that there was a backup set anyway; it's just not often used.

The Staycation express set is becoming a back-up Midland Pullman set. I think you may be thinking of back up power cars.

 

[m79900]

According to the latest Railway Magazine, IC Swallow 43049 has been painted in Midland Pullman livery.

 

[The_Train]

According to the latest Railway Magazine, IC Swallow 43049 has been painted in Midland Pullman livery.

It has - came out of Eastleigh last week I think

 

[12LDA28C]

Full program of Statesman tours are now on the website up to October 2024. Still diagrammed currently for Class 47 power although 57311 is due to arrive at Crewe from Arlington in the next week or so, for driver/fitter training and testing/shakedown following overhaul.

 

[MiNi]

Full program of Statesman tours are now on the website up to October 2024. Still diagrammed currently for Class 47 power although 57311 is due to arrive at Crewe from Arlington in the next week or so, for driver/fitter training and testing/shakedown following overhaul.

Indeed,there are again a few good looking tours as well as the usual jaunts. Interesting to see a Paignton-Windsor in May that actually calls at Castle Cary. Most of them fly fast through Cary normally.!!57311 will obviously be used in the new year as there is no point spending all that money and not using it.

 

[12LDA28C]

Indeed,there are again a few good looking tours as well as the usual jaunts. Interesting to see a Paignton-Windsor in May that actually calls at Castle Cary. Most of them fly fast through Cary normally.!!57311 will obviously be used in the new year as there is no point spending all that money and not using it.

57311 will be used on the rear of Saphos steam tours initially whilst testing and familiarisation takes place. Also it can not be used in multi with 47s so any tour that is booked for a pair of 47s should not see 57311 used, although of course it might feature on a Statesman that is booked to operate top-and-tail throughout.

 

[MiNi]

57311 will be used on the rear of Saphos steam tours initially whilst testing and familiarisation takes place. Also it can not be used in multi with 47s so any tour that is booked for a pair of 47s should not see 57311 used, although of course it might feature on a Statesman that is booked to operate top-and-tail throughout.

What % of statesman tours are booked for a pair these days. As maybe like yourself the 57 needs to be avoided(old habits and all that!). Normals aside do you think that the crank element will dwindle with the Ronnie in service now?.

 

[12LDA28C]

What % of statesman tours are booked for a pair these days. As maybe like yourself the 57 needs to be avoided(old habits and all that!). Normals aside do you think that the crank element will dwindle with the Ronnie in service now?.

Those that don't involve a reversal en route or with the associated pre- and post-tour ECS moves are usually booked for a pair and even some of those that do will be a pair with one or both locos run round the train at the necessary location. Certainly the small group of die-hard 47 cranks who do these tours will not be keen to be 'bowled out' by the 57 but of course the normals won't care or even be aware, most likely.