Direct Rail Services Ltd Passenger Trains Test Runs (28th- 30th December 2011)

[Blindtraveler]

is the station NR owned/northern opperated? If so cant see they can do anything to stop you festering aalthough pritty cold id think

 

[12CSVT]

How easy would it be to stay at Sellafield for that hour between trains - especially given the nature of the site?

I don't see any problem at Sellafield station - there certainly doesn't seem to be any restriction on the general public using it like there is at, for example Lympstone Commando, British Steel Redcar, or IBM halt.

 

[142094]

Hanging around for an hour at a station right next door to a nuclear site doesn't sit well with me (especially as there'll probably be nothing at the station itself). Better option seems to be to get a unit to St Bees. I can check to see if the southbound unit is running to time to get the +6 connection at Sellafield, if not I can stay at St Bees and get the DRS from there going north.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

You'd probably get a visit from the nuclear constabulary.


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[sprinterguy]

I know it's already been noted that only one carriage is available for use by the general public, but can anyone clarify what I've been told that it is the BSO that fulfils this role, with the three TSOs reserved for use by Sellafield workers?

Me and a friend are currently trying to work up an excuse for spending a few hours somewhere along the Cumbrian Coast, and then catching the afternoon glo-ex back to Carlisle. It's a shame the northbound service doesn't call as far south as Ravenglass. Could have combined a trip on La'al Ratty with some walking.

 

[142094]

You'd probably get a visit from the nuclear constabulary.

Aye, and I don't particularly want that.

 

[4SRKT]

I'm going to be doing it on 23rd Jan. 15:12 off Carlisle, 16:38 at Sellafield to take the Glo-Ex back north at 16:48. The connection at Sellafield is a +10 because the southbound working sits there for 4 minutes. Anyway the Glo-Ex can't enter the section until the unit arrives and IIRR Sellafield is an island platform, so the leap will take a couple of seconds.

Good luck finding something to do in Barrow 142094!

 

[142094]

Good luck finding something to do in Barrow 142094!

Aye, I'll need it. Had to fester there last year for a few hours before getting a late TPE back to Manchester. Wetherspoons was the best option at the time.

BTW, did you get the PMs?

 

[4SRKT]

Aye, I'll need it. Had to fester there last year for a few hours before getting a late TPE back to Manchester. Wetherspoons was the best option at the time.

BTW, did you get the PMs?

Yes thanks. Will look into that!

 

[43094]

Went on Wednesday. Did the 1551 arrival intro Sellafield then festered until the 1648 departure.

I had no problems with being on the station - there is a waiting room (with a door to keep the weather out) which I sat in for the duration. The waiting room has a couple of vending machines selling crisps/drink/chocolate bars etc.

There are also toilet facilities, which were open while I was there.

Of note is that the ECS to form 2T21 arrived 25 minutes prior to departure.

 

[142094]

Went on Wednesday. Did the 1551 arrival intro Sellafield then festered until the 1648 departure.

I had no problems with being on the station - there is a waiting room (with a door to keep the weather out) which I sat in for the duration. The waiting room has a couple of vending machines selling crisps/drink/chocolate bars etc.

There are also toilet facilities, which were open while I was there.

Of note is that the ECS to form 2T21 arrived 25 minutes prior to departure.

That sounds promising, although 56 minutes is a long time to wait for me - might see what St Bees has to offer food-wise. Anyone know if it has a cafe or chippy?

 

[Nym]

You'd probably get a visit from the nuclear constabulary.

The're really not that jumpy about someone sitting on a platform for an hour or so, might come and ask what you're there for, and that will be the end of it..

 

[scotsman]

The're really not that jumpy about someone sitting on a platform for an hour or so, might come and ask what you're there for, and that will be the end of it..

Depends, some of those descending on the coast will have some serious cameras with them. Knowing them, they'll probably have them out and the CNC will probably want to have a word. I wouldn't say it's a problem, but the majority of the Nuclear Constabulary seem to be armed

 

[Hydro]

The're really not that jumpy about someone sitting on a platform for an hour or so, might come and ask what you're there for, and that will be the end of it..

Depends, some of those descending on the coast will have some serious cameras with them. Knowing them, they'll probably have them out and the CNC will probably want to have a word. I wouldn't say it's a problem, but the majority of the Nuclear Constabulary seem to be armed

The CNC, along with the MoD plod, are armed as a standard procedure.

 

[Nym]

They are indeed armed as standard, and reasonably substantially IIRC, one would never be advised to point a camera at the wrong areas in Barrow, Windscale, Glasgow, Portsmouth, Samlesbury, Woodford, Sailsbury, Romsey, etc. As it could land you in rather a lot of trouble depending on the jumpiness of those in the annulus building, Thames House and local authorities at the time...

 

[Blindtraveler]

think id go for the 56 minute fester myself. Oh and to the poster who has bashed this, did you enjoy?

 

[43094]

Yes, it was excellent

On the day I went there didn't seem to be that many 'workers' on the train - though there were a few cranks. No problems with the cranks sitting in the front coach when I went either.

 

[4SRKT]

WARNING! Northbound Glo-Ex has disappeared from NRE. It was in earlier in the week. This can't be a good sign.

 

[43094]

It still comes up if you use www.eastcoast.co.uk

 

[142094]

Just going to say that it is on East Coast as showing up alright.

When is this running to? Said 6 weeks but can't find any mention of the exact date it finishes?

 

[4SRKT]

I've just checked and it's still being advertised on Northern's site too, so I wonder why it's not on NRE?

http://www.northernrail.org/pdfs/trackworks/DR_Timetable_alts_Carlisle-Sellafield.pdf

I like the way Northern are pandering to the crank market with the statement "DRS use traditional Inter City style carriages hauled by a diesel locomotive"

 

[43094]

It's in TRUST as running SX until Friday 17th February.

 

[142094]

It's in TRUST as running SX until Friday 17th February.

Ta, the only week I have free in Feb is w/c 13th, so will head across on one of those days to get it in.

Just need to see what I can do in between turns. The Cumbrian Coast line is a bit bereft of places to go, unless Ravenglass and Eskdale are running something.

EDIT:

Actually, plan doesn't look too bad:

Get up early and drive to Carlisle, aim to get there for about quarter to six to find parking

dep. CAR 06.15 arr. BIF 09.08

get breakfast somewhere, think station has some sort of cafe place.

dep. BIF 10.11 arr. Ravenglass 10.56

Ravenglass and Eskdale is running all that week, so go up to Dalegarth, quick look round and back down.

dep. Ravenglass 15.39 arr. St Bees 16.00

28 minute wait here for the ex-Carlisle unit, so get supplies and check to see if it is running on time. Looked at it on Thursday and it was 10 late, so would have missed the tight connection at Sellafield. If its running on time, get to Sellafield at 16.42, so only 6 minute wait (instead of nearly an hour). Back into Carlisle at 18.32. Drive back. Going to be a long day but hopefully worth it.

 

[Blindtraveler]

oo if R and ER is goin that week a might go do somethin similar. Need to try get a cheep TL in CAR for the night before as no way can get from EDB that day!

 

[4SRKT]

Would it miss at Sellafield? It's a single track section between there and St Bees.
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oo if R and ER is goin that week a might go do somethin similar. Need to try get a cheep TL in CAR for the night before as no way can get from EDB that day!

Might be more fun to get the Lowland Sleeper to Carlisle (arrives 05:16). You'll be sure to get a cheap advance on the cushions.

 

[Blindtraveler]

am starting from EDB so that doesnt work sadly. If going from London ETC would have though.

If the unit was late enough would they hold it til the loco hauled had completed the single track section? Its not all that long and one of the faster bits

 

[tnxrail]

Can you use staff / family pass on train or if not how much are the tickets.

 

[Darandio]

is the station NR owned/northern opperated? If so cant see they can do anything to stop you festering aalthough pritty cold id think

There is the small matter if the signage that greets you when you arrive though. Credit to Thomas for the picture.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tobester_35/4448284427/

 

[43167]

Im planning a couple of trips. One afternoon and one morning.

 

[142094]

If its single line between St Bees and Sellafield then the unit should be let through, but might make connection over the footbridge risky?