S&Cluxurychartertrainoperationplanned
A LUXURtYimetabledcharter train is being launchedby new companyRailCharterServices (RCS).
It will operateoverthe scenic Settle& Carlisleline three times everyweekdayfor eight weeks this summerT. hefirst train will operateon July 12.
Thetrainswill run under the safetycaseof Locomotive ServicesTOCLtd,and are a separateproductto Statesman trainsor tours run by Saphos Trains.
Theenterpriseis backedby city fund manager,locomotive owneranddirectorof LSLJeremy Hosking.
Theideafor the summer servicestemmedfrom former BBCWorldServicejournalist AdrianQuine,who saidit took just eight weeksto bring to fruition.
Mr Quineadded:"Thisservice reallyis ground breakingfor the rail industry.Thisis the first time a dedicatedtimetabledtourist train hasoperatedin England, and hasthe potentialto be a gamechangerin other popular areasof high seasonadl emand. "A lot of work hasgone into negotiatingtheseexciting newserviceswith our industry partnersand stakeholdersa, nd we aredelightedto be ableto bring somepost Covid-19cheer to familiesat this difficult time. "Weareworking closelywith Northern,TheRailDelivery Group,NetworkRailand the Settleto CarlisleDevelopment Companya, ll of whom have shownboth pragmatismanda genuinewillingnessto get this excitingnewserviceup and running.
"Theseserviceswill be a proof of conceptfor the future andwill promotetourism:'
What RCSis planningcould becomea templatefor a new type of railtouroperation,paving the wayfor a similarapproachin other partsof the country.
Bymovingawayfrom the 'one-size-fits-alal'pproachof the traditionalall-dayrailtour, passengercsould be offereda morebespokeoption,with a choiceof a shortor longerday out andadd-onexcursions.
Thetrainswill be top-andstallsat tailed by LSLClass47shauling a rakeof four ex-GreateAr nglia Mk3first open carriagesand a Mk2 BFKw, hich is not for public use.
In orderto maintainthe currenttwo-metresocial distancing,only window seats will be sold.LSLis installing Perspexscreensbetweeneach seatbay,which will give a capacityof 128seatspertrain.
Threereturntrips a day betweenSkiptonand Appleby, callingand setting down at Settle,will operatefrom Monday to SaturdaybetweenJuly20and September12.Returnfaresfor the 112-mileroundtrip startat just £29perperson.
Ticketswill besoldona'day return'basis,offering passengers the option to booka shortor long dayout, andtherewill be onwardtour optionsfor a coach tour to the LakeDistrict.Sales will initially be in pairsto people from the samehouseholdor socialbubble.
In addition,the SettleCarlisle RailwayDevelopmentCompany will providepop-upcatering Settleand Appleby stations,providinglocally sourcedfood and drinksaswell asat their cafeat Skipton. A timetable hasbeendesigned to offeropportunitiesto passengerfsrom both Skipton and Applebyendsof the line. Bookingscanbefor one of threecolour-codedtrain combinationsg, iving the opportunity for a short or long day out: yellow and greenfrom Skipton,bluefrom Appleby. Theprovisionatl imings are: