Attracting back passengers
THERE was a joke going around COP26 that went something like this: scientists have invented a car that runs on parsley, now they’re working on a train that runs on thyme. Yes it’s a bit lame, but illustrates that railways have a perception problem, perhaps made worse during the coronavirus pandemic.
The above photo shows the loading on board a Thursday evening, peak-time journey from King’s Cross in mid-November, and the empty seats speak volumes. Pre-pandemic, this would have been a full-and-standing service, so it is clear many passengers are yet to return to using the railways.
The ‘pingdemic’ certainly has not helped, with vital railway staff having to self-isolate, leading to frequent cancellations of services. But neither has the announcement this month of a fares rise at a time when much ‘fresh-air’ is still being moved around. It has to be said that on the departure from King’s Cross mentioned above, there were no cheap fares available despite the empty seats. Can this be addressed?
There has also been some disquiet voiced recently by The RM’s readers, concerning railtours that have been substantially altered between when first advertised and actually running, and the unavailability of a banker for the originally advertised ‘Lickey Banker’ trips (see page 42) raises an interesting point: who should bear the risk for such changes?
When ‘Western’ No. 1015 failed its engine test ahead of working the ‘Champion Torbay Express’ in September, Pathfinder Tours volunteered a refund for those not wishing to travel behind the replacement pair of Class 50s. With the Lickey tours, the organiser decided the change fell under its terms and conditions, which state it has “the right to alter or postpone trains at any time without being obliged to refund monies or exchange tickets”.
So should the risk fall to the tour operators, struggling to recover after months of cancelled tours during the pandemic? Or should it fall to the passengers, many of whom are only now cautiously dipping their toes back into railtouring and need every reassurance to come back?
Looking at the theoretical extremes of this debate, most passengers would stomach a likefor-like loco swap; but what if an unscrupulous operator promised the world in terms of traction and route only to run a bog-standard trip on the day?
Where should the line be drawn? Let us know what you think.
Your highlights needed
As this is the January issue, I would like to wish all our readers a very Happy New Year. But it is also a very special year for The Railway Magazine, as 2022 marks our 125th year of continuous publication, issue 1 being in July 1897 when Queen Victoria was still on the throne!
We will be marking this momentous milestone with a series of special features and celebrations throughout the year (and you may already have noticed our commemorative logo on the cover). But what I would really like to know is what are your railway highlights from the past 125 years?
It does not have to be within your own lifetime, so could be something from the Edwardian era, or the launch of Flying Scotsman, the golden age of the Big Four, the first diesels, or the boom since Privatisation. Please let us know, as we would very much like to hear your own favourite railway memories.