Steam operated at weekends...

[Belmont Circle]

Just wondered what the feasibility of a scheduled branch line service operated by steam, at the weekends would be. Somewhere like the Watford Junction to St Albans Abbey line - where weekend passenger numbers might be boosted by the spectacle.

 

[hexagon789]

Just wondered what the feasibility of a scheduled branch line service operated by steam, at the weekends would be. Somewhere like the Watford Junction to St Albans Abbey line - where weekend passenger numbers might be boosted by the spectacle.

The entire service? I doubt that's doable.

One diagram might be doable but the infrastructure for steam working is often just not there.

 

[JonathanH]

The entire service? I doubt that's doable.

One diagram might be doable but the infrastructure for steam working is often just not there.

One of the biggest problems is that there is no ready break in the timetable for water to be taken aboard.

On a line with no Sunday service it might be possible to run specials at a less intense frequency but it is costly to do so, not to mention you need a mainline qualified crew.

If you want to go on a mainline steam service at a relatively reasonable rate try the Shakespeare Express or Jacobite, Dalesman or Scarborough Spa Express.

 

[hexagon789]

One of the biggest problems is that there is no ready break in the timetable for water to be taken aboard.

On a line with no Sunday service it might be possible to run specials at a less intense frequency but it is costly to do so, not to mention you need a mainline qualified crew.

If you want to go on a mainline steam service at a relatively reasonable rate try the Shakespeare Express or Jacobite, Dalesman or Scarborough Spa Express.

Also, running round could be an issue in a lot of places with simplified track layouts

 

[Belmont Circle]

So, for the St Albans Abbey line - double ended push n pull.
The line is only around 8 miles in length. Sunday service is currently one train per hour. More room for water at the Watford end. Timetable could be changed to accommodate breaks.

 

[SquireBev]

https://www.railforums.co.uk/forums/speculative-ideas.172/

 

[Belmont Circle]

Thanks.

 

[reddragon]

Chiltern sort of did it a few years back over a weekend by top & tailing, standard tickets and by skipping some stops to keep time. Leander + an 8F

It worked well

 

[hooverboy]

Just wondered what the feasibility of a scheduled branch line service operated by steam, at the weekends would be. Somewhere like the Watford Junction to St Albans Abbey line - where weekend passenger numbers might be boosted by the spectacle.

Given the environazi's will have a fit with steam these days, you'd probably be better opting for a top "n " tail set of cl20's/37's
still not terribly green, but will be able to keep the timetable!

it'll keep the novelty factor,but I very much doubt it would pay it's way.
worst case would be a retirement home for a pacer or two!

 

[Doomotron]

I think we just found the replacements for the 1938 Stock on the IOW...