SOCIAL DISTANCING RULE ‘BRITANNIA’
Saphos ‘ready to go’ as it takes a bold step into a new world of virus constraints.
Well, it shouldn’t be long to wait now… Saphos Trains is all ‘go’, as Jeremy Hosking’s promoter prepares to restart trains after converting its rolling stock for ‘social distancing’ (SR506).
As things stand, the Settle-Carlisle ‘Fellsman’ on July 15 promises to be Saphos’ first post-lockdown public operation. Perhaps symbolically, it’s expected to be hauled by Britannia.
Saphos then plans to pick up a schedule that includes a further 11 trips before the end of August; current government aims include – for England at least – allowing ticketed attractions to start reopening from July 4, as long as they comply with social distancing rules.
It was last issue that Down Main revealed Saphos Trains’ plan to resume tours in July (SR506) – and on June 12, ops manager Peter Watkinson reported: “The carriages have now been fully equipped and we’re all ready to go.”
Changes for Saphos’ intended restart include adding Perspex screens between bays of seats. Extra cleaning, making sanitiser available, and cutting the maximum number of passengers by some 40% are also part of the plan, and the promoter is telling people to use designated doors. It is also encouraging customers to wear face masks on stations.
Despite being a relative newcomer and having run its first trains in 2018, Saphos undoubtedly has things easier than some others right now.
For while the Hayle-based outfit can’t control the general environment of the coronavirus and surrounding restrictions, its place as part of a wider jigsaw that collectively has engines, stock, overhaul facilities and an operator in house puts all the tools to best influence its fortunes on tap.
One mixed 12-coach rake drawn up from both the Saphos and Statesman fleets will initially be used for all trains; diary clashes between the steam (Saphos) and diesel (Statesman) operations have been avoided in the re-dating of trains postponed due to the coronavirus.
The blood and custard/brown and cream set includes a mixture of First Class Mk 1s (for dining) and Mk 2s.
● Right now any train is a highlight – but one in particular to watch out for is August 12, which should be a ‘Scot’/‘Brit’ double-header over the South Devon Banks. The planned Saphos programme for the first few weeks, with provisional engine allocation, is:
July 15: Crewe to Carlisle return (Settle-Carlisle both ways, No. 70000)
July 26: Bristol to Kingswear return
(No. 46100)
July 29: Bristol to Carmarthen return (No. 70000)
August 2: Bristol to Kingswear return (No. 70000)
August 5: Bristol to Shrewsbury return (No. 70000)
August 9: Bristol to Kingswear return (No. 46100)
August 12: Bristol to Plymouth (Nos. 46100 and 70000, double-headed)
Britannia is expected to run until January, when it is to be taken out of service for boiler overhaul.