renegademaster
Member
For a heritage railway to spend its own money worrying about its visitors emissions when its going to spew coal smoke constantly for the whole day is silly.
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How could heritage railways encourage more visitors to arrive by public transport?
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InkyScrolls
Member
The amount of smoke produced by all steam locomotives in the country over the course of a year is less than that produced by a single power station in one day. It really isn't something to be concerned about.
renegademaster
Member
neither is the drop in the ocean of people driving to heritage railways
The emissions from coal burnt in the course of heritage steam operations has been discussed in the House of Commons Select Committee Report on Coal in the Tourism Sector.
It effectively accepts that such coal use and its emissions are de minimis in the grand scheme of things.
It's not just about them driving to that one attraction on that one day. It's about whether they could also do without a car on the other 364 days. The more journeys you make convenient with public transport and/or active travel the more likely they will be to decide to abandon motoring entirely, saving 2.4 tonnes of CO2 per year per car removed from the roads. You need to get to the stage where virtually every activity they want to do is accessible in order to have that shift.
As the car-free population grows it will be increasingly important to attractions (particularly those near London and other major cities) that they should be accessible for those who do not own a car, lest they lose out on a growing part of the market.
lyndhurst25
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Not sure what the commercial arrangement is between the KWVR and Transdev buses, but have you looked into also extending the 20% discount to passengers who present a train ticket to Keighley? Wouldn’t that also mostly solve problems that you have listed?
nanstallon
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Reading Solent&Wessex -
3) Following on from (2), it causes problems on Galas or Events when KWVR fares are increased.
I remember some years ago, buying an inclusive ticket covering the main line train plus a preserved line, which I had better not name (not the K&WVR). I thought I had better check at the preserved line's ticket office at the earliest opportunity, that I didn't need to exchange my ticket, especially as it was a gala day. Being assured that my through ticket was valid, I went onto the train and a few minutes later somebody came into the coach I was sitting in, asking whether anybody was travelling on a through ticket from the main line. On answering that, I was told that I had to pay extra. OK, but not the most diplomatic way of doing things!
That said, through tickets do encourage people to use public transport to access a preserved railway, and I like the idea of a whole journey by rail, changing for the branch line.
3) Following on from (2), it causes problems on Galas or Events when KWVR fares are increased.
I remember some years ago, buying an inclusive ticket covering the main line train plus a preserved line, which I had better not name (not the K&WVR). I thought I had better check at the preserved line's ticket office at the earliest opportunity, that I didn't need to exchange my ticket, especially as it was a gala day. Being assured that my through ticket was valid, I went onto the train and a few minutes later somebody came into the coach I was sitting in, asking whether anybody was travelling on a through ticket from the main line. On answering that, I was told that I had to pay extra. OK, but not the most diplomatic way of doing things!
That said, through tickets do encourage people to use public transport to access a preserved railway, and I like the idea of a whole journey by rail, changing for the branch line.
It's only 10% according to Transdev, and they are much rarer IME than NR through tickets
Parham Wood
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The East Somerset have arranged a bus service from Frome to Cranmore (and also from Shepton Mallet) for their gala next week 176/17. Timetable on their web site.
Solent&Wessex
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Yes, my fault, a typo.
It's 10% with Transdev Treats.
I've had 20% stuck in my head for some reason.
lyndhurst25
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Sorry, we can't find this page!
www.transdevbus.co.uk
But this says it is 20% off
Sorry, we can't find this page!
www.transdevbus.co.uk
Solent&Wessex
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says it is 10% off.Sorry, we can't find this page!
But this says it is 20% off
Sorry, we can't find this page!
Mmm. Well spotted.
I'll check back in the records to see what is what. Now I think about it it may well be 20% off after all. I think it was 10% originally but then changed to 20% to standarise with other offers at the time.
Sean Emmett
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I'm staying in Brum this weekend for the Vintage Trains charter to Carlisle with 5051 on Saturday.
On the Sunday I have planned to travel back to Bristol via Kidderminster and enjoy a day on the Severn Valley, and booked their day rover accordingly.
More than I bit disappointed to find out the first train from Snow Hill arrives Kiddy four minutes after the SVR train leaves.
Not exactly 'joined up' is it?!
On the Sunday I have planned to travel back to Bristol via Kidderminster and enjoy a day on the Severn Valley, and booked their day rover accordingly.
More than I bit disappointed to find out the first train from Snow Hill arrives Kiddy four minutes after the SVR train leaves.
Not exactly 'joined up' is it?!
TheTallOne
Member
It probably was joined up, then WMT changed the schedule
Maybe they’ve not realised, or not even considered it at all.
Or maybe it’s a ploy to get you to have breakfast there while you wait.
Or maybe the SVR operates a 7-day base timetable rather than varying the first departure for Sundays only?
paul1609
Established Member
Timetabling single track heritage railways is actually quite difficult. There will be a round trip minimum time because of passing other trains. It may be that loosing the connection for an average of 2.3 passengers on an early morning train from Snow Hill means a better connection for the 4.6 passengers that arrive on the second train. Of course it doesnt affect the 148 passengers that arrive by car and pay the car park charge
Granted, some see it as a tradeoff when traveling to heritage railways from public transport networks; it will take a lot of work for people to make that first train. However, when I went up to see the SVR Autumn Gala, many people were going from the national rail station to the SVR one. From my experience, it doesn't matter if you can't make the first train on the heritage railways when visiting just as long as you get the last one back to the national rail stationTimetabling single track heritage railways is actually quite difficult. There will be a round trip minimum time because of passing other trains. It may be that loosing the connection for an average of 2.3 passengers on an early morning train from Snow Hill means a better connection for the 4.6 passengers that arrive on the second train. Of course it doesnt affect the 148 passengers that arrive by car and pay the car park charge
.Regarding the thread's topic, I was looking at the K&ESR diesel gala event page. The bus link piques my interest during that event as it will mean that the K&ESR will technically serve Headcorn again (albeit for one weekend and in bus replacement form) and that some interesting diesels, such as the Class 37 from the GCR, will visit that gala.
However, when it came to the bus link, the most I saw was this in the Beerex subsection: 'The train arrives back in Tenterden just before 10pm, in time for the vintage bus link to Headcorn station.'
I want to ask why the KESR intends to get the bus link for the event but with little reference to its existence on the website or promotions.
Diesel Gala 2024 - Kent & East Sussex Railway
Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th April 2024 If you're looking for a little more, there's the unique opportunity to enjoy 90 minutes of driving a diesel hauled train on the K&ESR - including your chance to drive up Tenterden bank, the steepest incline of any heritage railway in the UK. Two of the...
kesr.org.uk
paul1609
Established Member
Ive posed the question to the committee of volunteers who are organising the Diesel Gala. Apparently the timetable for the bus link hasnt been finalised yet although it is intended that it will run throughout the day. As soon as it is confirmed it will be publicised on the railways website.Granted, some see it as a tradeoff when traveling to heritage railways from public transport networks; it will take a lot of work for people to make that first train. However, when I went up to see the SVR Autumn Gala, many people were going from the national rail station to the SVR one. From my experience, it doesn't matter if you can't make the first train on the heritage railways when visiting just as long as you get the last one back to the national rail station
Regarding the thread's topic, I was looking at the K&ESR diesel gala event page. The bus link piques my interest during that event as it will mean that the K&ESR will technically serve Headcorn again (albeit for one weekend and in bus replacement form) and that some interesting diesels, such as the Class 37 from the GCR, will visit that gala.
However, when it came to the bus link, the most I saw was this in the Beerex subsection: 'The train arrives back in Tenterden just before 10pm, in time for the vintage bus link to Headcorn station.'
I want to ask why the KESR intends to get the bus link for the event but with little reference to its existence on the website or promotions.
Diesel Gala 2024 - Kent & East Sussex Railway
Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th April 2024 If you're looking for a little more, there's the unique opportunity to enjoy 90 minutes of driving a diesel hauled train on the K&ESR - including your chance to drive up Tenterden bank, the steepest incline of any heritage railway in the UK. Two of the...
Unfortunately I have other commitments that weekend.
The web page has been updated https://kesr.org.uk/diesel-weekend/...XaMv8gMd-TO-bgMhS7eLD9A1j5BqYTxBv_d4GuJTXuj9A
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Similarly despite actually having a mainline connection the Bluebell Railway Diesel gala page makes no mention of it, just talking about parking instead. https://www.bluebell-railway.com/diesel-gala-weekend/
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Equally disappointing is that the earliest arrival on a Sunday from Kidderminster to Birmingham is 1015am, which makes day trips by train to other heritage railways nigh on impossible on Sundays.
So on Sunday for example to get to see the start of the Birmingham half marathon 0930am it's a drive to Longbridge or Sandwell & Dudley!!
Minstral25
Established Member
We have a section on travel by train on our how to get here page as below. But agree we need to advertise the link more. Our website is being updated currently so hopefully it will improve.
Via Southern Trains to East Grinstead
Travel from London Victoria, East Croydon and Oxted to East Grinstead station via Southern Railway where you can join Bluebell Railway.It could not be easier with a half hourly service every day until September to East Grinstead from London and a simple change at East Grinstead.
If you are coming from the South coast at a weekend (or public holiday) it is advised to alight the train at Haywards Heath and hop on to a 270 bus for Horstead Keynes.
Plus, you can also take advantage of 2FOR1 travel on Bluebell Railway when you travel to us via National Rail! Find out more here.
@paul1609
I see the KESR website has been updated as per our exchange earlier in the year (posts 131 and 232 refer), but unfortunately, the information is still incorrect!
The 312 does not (and has never) operated to Hastings, it goes to Rye. I also think it would be helpful to highlight just how close the bus stop is to the station, rather than just "to Tenterden".
The 29 stops right outside the station in Northiam, yet no buses are mentioned there at all.
At least the one bus, 349, to Bodiam is correct, but again, a trick is missed by not stating it stops almost at the end of the platform.