Polar Express Edinburgh

[pgfb1306]

There's been a fair bit of media around the launch of a series of Polar Express trips in November and December in Scotland. The website https://edinburghthepolarexpressride.com/ suggests that trains will leave and return to Edinburgh Waverley but wondered if anyone had any idea where they were going for the one hour duration. Would be great if it was a hurl around the sub, but haven't been able to find out more than that as of yet.

Anyone any ideas?

 

[xotGD]

Will it actually leave the platform?

 

[fgwrich]

Will it actually leave the platform?

Yes, I cant see them occupying a platform for an hour. Reading through the website it does say:

Edinburgh Waverley is the latest addition to THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride from PNP Events. The team behind the hugely successful event in Wensleydale, South Devon and Kent seeing over 150,000 guests join last year!

And under the T&Cs

Yes, the train does move. You will be on-board for approximately 1 hour. There may need to be movements backwards and forwards due to caribou or frozen lakes.

So, I'm guessing this will utilise either some of PNP's own ex GA Mk3s or some hired from someone else, possibly ERS and operated by someone like Rail Adventure, West Coast or GBRf etc. ScotRail did a charity offering back in 2021 including a Fife Circle and trip to the Strathspey Railway using a HST Set, though I cant see it happening again sadly.

 

[12LDA28C]

So, I'm guessing this will utilise either some of PNP's own ex GA Mk3s or some hired from someone else, possibly ERS and operated by someone like Rail Adventure, West Coast or GBRf etc. ScotRail did a charity offering back in 2021 including a Fife Circle and trip to the Strathspey Railway using a HST Set, though I cant see it happening again sadly.

I believe this will be a LSL operation using ERS stock.

 

[Kite159]

I've heard it will be a trip via the Edinburgh Sub line. Nothing that exciting

 

[50002Superb]

I believe this will be a LSL operation using ERS stock.

ERS?

 

[hexagon789]

ERS?

Eastern Rail Services presumably

 

[DarloRich]

I've heard it will be a trip via the Edinburgh Sub line. Nothing that exciting

It will be if you are 5! Most kids aren't hardcore track bashers after all

 

[12LDA28C]

Eastern Rail Services presumably

Indeed. Stock currently located at Great Yarmouth I suspect.

 

[enginedin]

I've heard it will be a trip via the Edinburgh Sub line. Nothing that exciting

Given the campaign to reopen the sub line, this is actually exciting!

 

[xotGD]

It will be if you are 5! Most kids aren't hardcore track bashers after all

The disappointment on their faces when they unwrap the present from Santa and it turns out to be a Baker Rail Atlas!

 

[50002Superb]

Given the campaign to reopen the sub line, this is actually exciting!

Which one is the sub line please?

I’m not familiar with the area

 

[30907]

Which one is the sub line please?

I’m not familiar with the area

The Suburban line isn't normally used by passenger trains, and runs in a circle round the south of Edinburgh which makes it ideal for a train doing repeat trips.

 

[fgwrich]

The Suburban line isn't normally used by passenger trains, and runs in a circle round the south of Edinburgh which makes it ideal for a train doing repeat trips.

Predominantly Railtours and Engineering Works diversions (mostly when the ECML is closed between Edinburgh and Newcastle), though wasn't there something like one XC service booked via it until recently?

 

[Bill57p9]

Predominantly Railtours and Engineering Works diversions (mostly when the ECML is closed between Edinburgh and Newcastle), though wasn't there something like one XC service booked via it until recently?

Indeed, the 2100 Glasgow Central to Edinburgh XC was booked to go that route, presumably to keep diversionary route knowledge. No scheduled passenger service now that service has gone.

The remaining XC Glasgow to Edinburgh (5S51) runs as ECS and via Shotts.

 

[12LDA28C]

Given the campaign to reopen the sub line, this is actually exciting!

Reopen it? When did it close?

 

[DarloRich]

The disappointment on their faces when they unwrap the present from Santa and it turns out to be a Baker Rail Atlas!

typical xmas present - the Atlas is useless without a highlighter!

 

[anothertyke]

Reopen it? When did it close?

To local passenger trains? 10/9/62. Pre-Beeching.

 

[12LDA28C]

To local passenger trains? 10/9/62. Pre-Beeching.

So it hasn't actually been closed to traffic then. I've done the Sub loads of times on charter trains so the line itself isn't exactly rare.

 

[Phil Neal]

Closing the loop on this one.

We are using WCR class 47s and Riviera Mk2 stock (2xbso and 8xtso). We are going round the sub and hiding at portobello jn for a while before reversing back.

 

[30907]

Closing the loop on this one.

We are using WCR class 47s and Riviera Mk2 stock (2xbso and 8xtso). We are going round the sub and hiding at portobello jn for a while before reversing back.

So out and back rather than a complete circle. Not surprising given how busy the route through Haymarket is!

 

[31160]

typical xmas present - the Atlas is useless without a highlighter!

Lol, obviously

 

[Phil Neal]

So out and back rather than a complete circle. Not surprising given how busy the route through Haymarket is!

It seems we go via haymarket in the afternoons. Never thought I would be looking out the cab of a 47 at Waverley waiting for a green signal! I was lucky we had a driver on with the right pass for a trip.

 

[30907]

It seems we go via haymarket in the afternoons. Never thought I would be looking out the cab of a 47 at Waverley waiting for a green signal! I was lucky we had a driver on with the right pass for a trip.View attachment 148182

Quite some variety in the schedule: Gorgie via Craigentinny, Portobello via Niddrie out and back - even an ECS right round the Sub today.

 

[Falcon1200]

Lovely set of blue/grey stock on the train too! As observed on Friday 8th December;
47813, Sc9507, M5998, E6158, M6051, M5961, M5952, M6024, M6054, M5929, M9526, 47848.

 

[12LDA28C]

Closing the loop on this one.

We are using WCR class 47s and Riviera Mk2 stock (2xbso and 8xtso). We are going round the sub and hiding at portobello jn for a while before reversing back.

57009 is also available to be used if required, along with 47813 and 47848.

 

[Phil Neal]

The Gorgie routing is due to be stored there. We also have empty stock moves “to get out of everyone’s way” during peak times. Overall Network Rail have been as accommodating as they can, but we do have some tight turn arounds. We had some fairly short notice foliage chopping as well due to it thrashing all the rolling stock like basil fawlty and the birch tree.

 

[12LDA28C]

The Gorgie routing is due to be stored there. We also have empty stock moves “to get out of everyone’s way” during peak times. Overall Network Rail have been as accommodating as they can, but we do have some tight turn arounds. We had some fairly short notice foliage chopping as well due to it thrashing all the rolling stock like basil fawlty and the birch tree.

Are the trains well patronised? I'm up in Edinburgh next week and might consider a trip out.

 

[Cowley]

Are the trains well patronised? I'm up in Edinburgh next week and might consider a trip out.

Santa’s going to take some convincing when he asks you if you’ve been well behaved this year.

 

[12LDA28C]

Santa’s going to take some convincing when he asks you if you’ve been well behaved this year.

Hmmm, you could be right! I hear he can be bought with a glass of sherry and a mince pie though.