Newluxury train operation for Settle and Carlisle thissummer
ANEWluxury chartertrainover theSettleandCarlisle( S& C) line isrunningforeightweeks during thesummer.
NewcomerRailCharterServices Ltd ( RCSL) will run the trains threetimes aday betweenSkiptonandAppleby fromMonday, July20toSaturday, September12, under thesafetycase ofLocomotiveServicesTOCLtd ( LSL).
It isbackedbycityfundmanager, locomotiveownerandLSL director JeremyHosking, whois alsoa directorofRCSL, andwillberunas aseparate operation toSaphosTrains toursandthe Statesman.
FormerBBCWorldService journalistAdrianQuineandRCSL director, whodevelopedtheconcept over just eightweeks, said:“A lot ofwork hasgoneintonegotiating these excitingnewservices with our industrypartnersandstakeholders andwearedelightedtobeable to bringsomepostCovid- 19cheerto families at this difficult time.
“This servicereally is ground breaking fortherail industry. This is the first time thatadedicated timetabled tourist train has operated inEnglandandhas thepotential to beagamechanger in other popular areas of high seasonaldemand.
“Weareworking closely with NorthernRail, theRail Delivery Group, NetworkRailandthe Settle to CarlisleDevelopment Company, all ofwhomhave shown both pragmatismandagenuine willingness to get this excitingnew serviceupandrunning.”
“Our aimis that thisnewdedicated tourist train servicecanhelp get the local economybackupandrunning andprovideasafeandenjoyable environment for families to enjoy this stunningly scenic route.”
‘ High- quality’
trains will callandsetdownatSettle, with return fares for the 112- mile roundtrip starting at£ 29 per person.
Tickets willbesoldonaday return basis, offeringpassengers the option tobookashortor longdayout, with onward tour options foracoach tour to theLakeDistrict. Sales will initially beinpairs to peoplefromthesame household or social bubble.
Furthermore, the Settle- Carlisle RailwayDevelopmentCompany will providepop- up catering stalls at SettleandAppleby stations, providing locally sourcedfood anddrinks aswell as at itscafeat Skipton. Withatimetable designed to offer opportunities to passengers fromboth SkiptonandAppleby ends of the line, bookingscanbe forone of threecolour- codedtrain combinations, giving the chancefor ashortor longdayout.
‘ Innovative ideas’
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