My idea for a theoretical Tram Train Excursion

[ECML180]

Ok, so lets assume the Sheffield/Rotherham tram train trial is a triumph(that's hard to say ) and along with an extention to Dore the supertram network is becoming more popular than ever.

As the concept is new to the UK, do you think it would be commercially successful for the tram train operator to use a unit to run excursions? For example picking up in Sheffield city centre and all stops until Rotherham Central, then travelling fast on the rail network to Cleethorpes or Scarborough. Or perhaps the other way around travelling from say Leeds and Doncaster stations to Arena tram stop when there's an event on?

It's a fantasty/theory/future thread...so discuss!

EDIT TO CLARIFY:
I'm not talking about a enthusiasts excursion-more about a regular summer holiday service.

 

[northwichcat]

Pure fantasy as Sheffield has low floor trams so they will not be able to call at National Rail platforms which haven't been properly adapted to allow tram-train use. Also Sheffield's lacking much in the way of OHEs unless you're planning to put a diesel loco on the front of a tram-train.

 

[Eagle]

Erm... isn't the Sheffield tramtrain going to be electric? Might be a bit difficult getting it to some of the places you mention (without sticking a diesel loco on the front, which I imagine would undermine the point a little).

 

[ECML180]

Pure fantasy as Sheffield has low floor trams so they will not be able to call at National Rail platforms which haven't been properly adapted to allow tram-train use.

My understanding of the situation is that the tram trains on order will be designed to serve both low tramway platforms and normal railway platforms.

Obviously we're talking the mid term here, say 2020s or 2030s not next weekend, so I'm happy to make the assumption that there will have been further electrification by this point. However I'm not posing the question in relation to the technical aspects(ie electrification, pathing, etc) but commercially-do you think it would be commercially viable?

 

[northwichcat]

My understanding of the situation is that the tram trains on order will be designed to serve both low tramway platforms and normal railway platforms.

AFAIK the platforms the tram-trains will stop at on the National Rail network will be brand new platforms built to allow low-floor tram-trains to stop there.

If the idea of running them to Huddersfield had gone ahead then all platforms on the Penistone line would have been adapted to allow a tram-train to stop at one end and an ordinary train (of up to 2 carriages in length) to stop at the other end but that was deemed to be not a viable option for what was supposed to be a trial.

 

[ECML180]

I was at a local consultation (fairly recently) for a different matter but we were told that this would not be possible-must be tight to manage it at Rotherham?