Whats involved in running "special" trains

[malc-c]

I videoed the Northern Belmond Pullman excursion on the ECML this morning

And this got me wondering just what's involved in organising such a trip. Looking on their website it states that train can seat 252 people, and with an average cost of £300 per head (for example) a full train would gross £75,600. But what are the costs? I assume that Belmond don't have their own loco's as this was hauled by DRS 68's so I guess either Belmond contract them (or the tour operator?). Is there any charge from Network rail (sorry newbie, so don't know who owns the infrastructure ), Fuel, wages for the staff, etc

I presume that given the number of "specials" that now run on the main line (this train ran twice this weekend) this luxury travel is now a booming business?

 

[uww11x]

I videoed the Norther Belmond Pullman excursion on the ECML this morning

And this got me wondering just what's involved in organising such a trip. Looking on their website it states that train can seat 252 people, and with an average cost of £300 per head (for example) a full train would gross £75,600. But what are the costs? I assume that Belmond don't have their own loco's as this was hauled by DRS 68's so I guess either Belmond contract them (or the tour operator?). Is there any charge from Network rail (sorry newbie, so don't know who owns the infrastructure ), Fuel, wages for the staff, etc

I presume that given the number of "specials" that now run on the main line (this train ran twice this weekend) this luxury travel is now a booming business?

Track Access, Loco Hire fees and a lot more.

 

[malc-c]

What happened to the video ?

When you say "lots more" care to elaborate ?

 

[Dhassell]

What happened to the video ?

When you say "lots more" care to elaborate ?

Track Access, Hiring Locos, Maintaining Coaches, Hiring Staff, Catering the list would go on and on!

 

[Bovverboy]

What happened to the video ?

The video's coming up okay for me.

 

[Darandio]

The video's coming up okay for me.

It was embedded but shows as a link for me now. As the post is showing as edited by a moderator, i guess they did it.

 

[pdeaves]

Include the costs of someone working out a suitable itinerary, followed by suitable timetable, bidding it and getting Network Rail approval.

There will also be some sort of insurance cost wrapped into the fare.