Saphos Trains

[Iskra]

This may be of interest to some forum members:

A new steam railtour company have launched that are offering discounted (50%) fares for their first year of operation, 12 tours advertised thus far. While not the most adventurous of itinerary's, good value mainline steam may make up for it.

http://saphostrains.com/

 

[JonathanP]

According to the site it is part of Jeremy Hoskins locomotive services/ icons of steam empire, and sure enough on the icons of steam site you find the same tours at the same price on the same dates.

I wonder what the purpose is of having two duplicate sites. My guess is that icons of steam is for the luxury day out market and this new brand has been invented to be oriented to the enthusiast market.

 

[Iskra]

According to the site it is part of Jeremy Hoskins locomotive services/ icons of steam empire, and sure enough on the icons of steam site you find the same tours at the same price on the same dates.

I wonder what the purpose is of having two duplicate sites. My guess is that icons of steam is for the luxury day out market and this new brand has been invented to be oriented to the enthusiast market.

You could well be right. Ukrailtours have gone down a similar route to better target those two markets. Interesting times in the railtour world.

 

[Newshy37]

Are these tours likely to run? I vaguely remember something happening in the early 90's and they got cancelled, or a lot of them did.

 

[tiptoptaff]

Are these tours likely to run? I vaguely remember something happening in the early 90's and they got cancelled, or a lot of them did.

Yes, they will. Subject to the usual

 

[Rover]

Surely they could have come up with a better name than "Saphos"?

 

[theblackwatch]

Surely they could have come up with a better name than "Saphos"?

Ties in with his hotel brand.

 

[Chris125]

Surely they could have come up with a better name than "Saphos"?

I believe it's the name used by his hotel business.

 

[Rover]

Ties in with his hotel brand.

I believe it's the name used by his hotel business.

Oh right, I see. So if "hos" is Hoskins who would "Sap" be?

 

[AnthonyRail]

heritage diesel? Would that be a 47?

 

[tiptoptaff]

He has 47s and 37s for steam support. Could be either. I'd reckon that as the 47s have been the ones out on driver training runs it'd be them

 

[AnthonyRail]

He has 47s and 37s for steam support. Could be either. I'd reckon that as the 47s have been the ones out on driver training runs it'd be them

Oh yeah two tone green 47 that will do me, fantastic just booked.

 

[AnthonyRail]

Is the English Rivera express just a renamed Torbay express or is that separate tours

 

[theblackwatch]

Is the English Rivera express just a renamed Torbay express or is that separate tours

They are separate - same routes but different firms offering it, although TE is steam throughout whereas Saphos is diesel to Tuanton for steam forward.

 

[Mike 1050]

Hasn’t JH brought a Deltic or two

 

[alexl92]

Hasn’t JH brought a Deltic or two

Two, yes. See the thread on Martin Walker’s Deltics being for sale for more info

 

[theblackwatch]

Only a week to the first train now. I gather the formation of the set being used on the Saphos trips is:
Mk.1 FO - LMS Club Car/Kitchen - Mk. 1 FO - Mk.1 FK - Mk.2d BFK - Mk.2f FO - Mk.2f RFO - Mk.2f FO - Mk.2f TSO

 

[alexl92]

All in BR Blood & Custard or will the LMS club car be in Pre-1948 guise?

 

[theblackwatch]

All in BR Blood & Custard or will the LMS club car be in Pre-1948 guise?

I think the LMS Club Car (which is a rebuilt Mk.1 TSO) is now in blood/custard to make a uniform rake. It was previously maroon.

 

[alexl92]

Thanks!