railfan99
Established Member
Each November, the larger (and some smaller) preserved railways are presumably busy organising Christmas, dining trains and/or Winterlights special running days.
If well patronised, these may be fairly lucrative. Great, given that the UK's terrific heritage railways need every pound they can obtain.
However many such UK operations don't publish their 2024 running days until perhaps early March.
Yet one excellent railway in France I patronised in October 2023 already has some running days online:
www.trainardeche.fr
While as a foreigner I represent maybe one in 1000 or one in 500 passengers, it would be useful if each railway placed their next year's timetables on the Internet by late January.
There doesn't appear to be any understanding that those of us who must book airfares and other travel months in advance - quota controlled Eurostar bookings using a Eurailpass is one example - might also like to plan where we are on which day a long time in advance, because of the tie in with hotel availability and these days, room tariffs. The latter tend to rise the closer to date of travel one books. My distant nation is one of the higher spending 'markets' attracted to the UK, although the USA leads the pack (15 times more population than my nation, but not 15x the number of visits). We would pay generally outrageous airfares if we booked six weeks in advance so many book six months to even 353 days ahead (the latter is overkill unless one is after an airline frequent flyer rewards program seat, scarce as hens' teeth with some carriers).
It wouldn't be an issue if every railway operated every day except Good Friday and Christmas Day, but that's not the case. What days each railway runs varies hugely, and can change from year to year.
Even for UK residents, knowing timetables months in advance might assist with holiday planning for railfans and some others.
It would also help businesses associated with such railways, or those that see increased patronage on various promoted weekends such as Galas. They can roster extra staff or have an idea when they have to order or bake extra food and beverage items.
If well patronised, these may be fairly lucrative. Great, given that the UK's terrific heritage railways need every pound they can obtain.
However many such UK operations don't publish their 2024 running days until perhaps early March.
Yet one excellent railway in France I patronised in October 2023 already has some running days online:
Prepare your journey - Train de l'Ardèche dans les Gorges du Doux
Prepare your journey Departure times | Rates | Access | Facilities in the station Cyclists welcome | Frequently asked questions | Around us | Contact Departure times | Rates | Access Facilities in the station | Cyclists welcome F.A.Q. | Around us | Contact...
www.trainardeche.fr
While as a foreigner I represent maybe one in 1000 or one in 500 passengers, it would be useful if each railway placed their next year's timetables on the Internet by late January.
There doesn't appear to be any understanding that those of us who must book airfares and other travel months in advance - quota controlled Eurostar bookings using a Eurailpass is one example - might also like to plan where we are on which day a long time in advance, because of the tie in with hotel availability and these days, room tariffs. The latter tend to rise the closer to date of travel one books. My distant nation is one of the higher spending 'markets' attracted to the UK, although the USA leads the pack (15 times more population than my nation, but not 15x the number of visits). We would pay generally outrageous airfares if we booked six weeks in advance so many book six months to even 353 days ahead (the latter is overkill unless one is after an airline frequent flyer rewards program seat, scarce as hens' teeth with some carriers).
It wouldn't be an issue if every railway operated every day except Good Friday and Christmas Day, but that's not the case. What days each railway runs varies hugely, and can change from year to year.
Even for UK residents, knowing timetables months in advance might assist with holiday planning for railfans and some others.
It would also help businesses associated with such railways, or those that see increased patronage on various promoted weekends such as Galas. They can roster extra staff or have an idea when they have to order or bake extra food and beverage items.
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