IS ‘HARDCORE STEAM’ THE ANSWER FOR GRICERS?

Spartan trips in the early hours would only be for the most dedicated of steam enthusiasts.

No frills but ‘nailed on’. That’s the suggestion from reader Steve Dymond of Swanage, as a way to attract gricers who may be put off by changes to steam tours. Steve’s thought is for a new type of trip, aimed at the heavy duty fan; the idea is to separate them out from the general public, because otherwise “there are too many compromises which work against the gricer.” His idea was submitted in response to the ‘Top Table’ articles as a way to address gricer complaints. He’s called it ‘Hardcore Steam’. “I would try to recapture old scenarios, even at unearthly hours,” says Steve. Guiding principles of such gricer tours in providing “exactly” what the customer wants, include reserving the first vehicles behind the support coach for those who want to hear/ record the engine, with timers “further back, and window seats guaranteed.” “If the rake is not being turned at the destination, the ‘listeners’ swap ends, so that they are still at the front on the way back. This is made clear in advertising/booking... Of course, if everyone wants to hear, then nobody moves.” To cut costs, Steve suggests, it should be a case of “bring your own food,” though if catering staff are unpaid, “I guess a basic buffet car can be provided.” Dining would only be an option if there “are those who want steam but aren’t bothered about hearing it… they would understand they would be in the middle of the rake.” Key to Steve’s idea is that it “doesn’t run until everything is as advertised, no matter how many postponements are needed. This would be clearly stated in advertising…” So what sort of trains would Steve seek to put on? Well, get ready for just how hardcore this could be, because how about the 2.45am Waterloo-Bournemouth ‘papers’? “Why not?” asks Steve - making the case that pathing shouldn’t be a problem. He suggests running it “in late June for maximum daylight” with a Bulleid or ‘Standard Five’, and including stops at major stations as the paper trains did, “for leisurely breaks in the morning light.” Breakfast in Bournemouth could be followed by shopping, the beach, or a trip to Swanage - before an evening run back to London. Other suggestions are York-Bournemouth cross-country trains, and a ‘Jubilee’-hauled train each way between Bristol and Leeds/ Sheffield, and pannier No. 9466 as banker “at you know where”. Is there a market for such ideas? Steve accepts his suggestions are ‘hardcore’ - but as for how many people might be interested he has a simple suggestion: “Ask them.” So, what do you think? Would you go for a trip that aimed to be as close as possible to the real thing? And if so, only in daytime, or even if it ran during the night…? Let us know - see page 113 for our contact details.