Last out, first in... ‘SCotSman’ to Run oxenhope-CaRlISle
It’ll be an historic event - with an historic price tag to match. But ‘Scotsman’s’ run over the S&C could set an interesting precedent for more steam tours from the KWVR.
It is a big thing for us,” says the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway’s Sam MacDougall about its decision to run what must probably rank as the first ever Oxenhope to Carlisle direct steam working. It’s not just any special either, but marking the re-opening of the SettleCarlisle as a through-route, on March 31. Oh, and it’s with a rather well known ‘A3’. “We have dabbled in this before, for our 40th anniversary when we ran from Oxenhope to Hellifield and back, and then again the following year.” “But as soon as we secured Flying Scotsman, it was immediately apparent that we could do something with it, especially with respect to the opening of the S&C - and especially since it was the last one over it.” That was in February last year, when the LNER ‘Pacific’ - then still relatively anonymous in black and without nameplates - ran over Ais Gill just a few days before the line was severed at Eden Brows. Half a million tons of repaired landslip later, and on the reopening day itself, the now-green No. 60103 is to return. That’s around six weeks after a rather different high-profile event, the ‘Plandampf’ on the section south of Appleby (see separate story and pages 6-7). The ‘A3’ special is “very much a celebration of the reopening,” says the Worth Valley’s Flying Scotsman event organiser. “We’re looking to add to that event; it’s part of the reopening celebrations. We’re very excited about it.”
There are considerable costs associated with making it a success; the ticket price represents all of these factors SAM MacDOUGALL, KWVR
March 31’s tour is part of a wider visit by Flying Scotsman to the KWVR, in which it will also go on display at Ingrow on April 1/2 and haul (pre-book only) trains on the branch on April 3-9. The idea is to leave Oxenhope around 8.30am, picking up at Haworth and Keighley on the KWVR, and then again at Skipton. Around three hours in Carlisle are planned before the return over the ‘Long Drag’.
High Standard
Special event does mean special price - and that has already drawn some criticism. The fare is £220, Standard, including soft drinks one way and Prosecco the other (Standard on one of the Railway Touring Company’s ‘Waverleys’ with No. 60103 is £115). However, Sam MacDougall says March 31’s ticket price “reflects the unique and historic status of this event; not only is it hauled by Flying Scotsman, but it celebrates the reopening of one of the most famous railways in the world, and will be the first steam charter to operate the length of the line for over 12 months.” “This is a one-off event,” he adds, “and as such there are considerable costs associated with making it a success; the ticket price represents all of these factors.” Perhaps more of interest in the longer term is whether this trip could act as a ‘prototype’ for the KWVR to promote more charters after all, the resident Bahamas Locomotive Society’s ‘Jubilee’ No. 45596 is under overhaul to main line standards at Tyseley. “I think the answer is yes. The opportunity to run onto the main line doesn’t exist for us at the moment, but we will be looking once we have a resident main line engine.”