‘Staycation Express' ditches loco-hauled stock for new-look HST

A MAJOR change for Rail Charter Services' ‘Staycation Express' this year will be the substitution of locomotive-hauled Mk.3 carriages by an HST set.

In addition, the northbound service from Skipton in the morning will run beyongd Appleby to Carlisle for a break of two hours before returning to Skipton mid-afternoon.

The day's first southbound service will start from Appleby, returning there in the evening with the last working north from Skipton.

A five-coach HST set in a brand new green livery – reminiscent of the First Great Western ‘Fag Packet' colour scheme of the 1990s – will provide a distinctive service. Like the 2020 programme, only First Class carriages will be used.

An impression of how the RCS HST will look.

Mk.3s Nos. 40804, 41160/166/167/187 and 44081 were moved to Arlington's workshop, Eastleigh, by Nos. 47593 and D1944 (47501) on February 9 for painting. Also in the consist was Midland Pullmanliveried No. 41169. Later the same day, No. 47593 returned to Crewe with Mk.3a SO No. 12171, which has been outshopped in InterCity colours. One TF will be a spare, either for the set, or used to provide seats to convert 44081 from a TGS to TGF. The power cars to be used will be two of Nos. 43058/059 (at Crewe) or No. 43083 (at Eastleigh).

Adrian Quine, manager and organiser of the ‘Staycation Express', told Rail Express there will be improvements to the catering, and a bistro-style meal will be available.

TOURIST MARKET

The thinking behind switching to a

HST set was one of cost and reliability. Although loco-hauled trains were popular with the enthusiast market, the organiser readily admits that the market is mainly holidaymakers.

Ticket prices will be much the same as last year, which were some of the cheapest anywhere in the country for First Class per mile. There will be three fares bands to best match supply with demand.

The service will run from Saturdays to Thursdays, with Fridays being the maintenance day for which it will return to Crewe.

It is likely to be begin on July 19 and run until mid-September.

■ The first days of March saw

Nos. 43058+43059 (coupled back-toback without coaches) travel over the Settle & Carlisle as crew training runs in preparation for the ‘Staycation Express'.