A few questions about the operations at the NYMR these days.
Firstly, why do the pullman dining services now convey no standard class seating? For years they had two or three standard coaches couple to the dining rake so I presume there's a reason why they don't do this any more?
Is there a reason they run with large gaps in the service? Looking at today's timetable, after 12 the next train from Pickering is at 14:10, but as that is pullman dining only, the next public train is 15:10 resulting in a 3 hour and 10 minute gap in the service. I understand that most people join the railway at Pickering and so the bulk of customers are probably at Grosmont or Whitby by then, but such gaps make it more difficult to get off and spend time at each station. It also means anyone wishing to start there day at Grosmont have limited options. I presume lowering costs is the reason, yet there are still four steam locos and one diesel loco in service today.
What is the toilet provision like these days? I recall seeing some news about the fitment of Controlled Emission Toilets (CET) to some carriages a couple of years ago. However, I saw a recent video yesterday where someone walked down through the carriages and there were signs visible on some toilet doors warning passengers not to use toilets while at a station while others appeared to be bolted shut.