The Bristol Railway Archive

I was recently in St. Ives (Cornwall) and from my hotel could see the arrival and departure of the local train to St. Erth. It struck me that a steam train operating that short route could be a terrific attraction both in and out of season, but presumably the running costs would be prohibitive?

There would probably be significant extra cost, appart from anything else, water would need to be available at both ends, ( something larger than a hose pipe unless youve got hours to stand between runs). A depot/shed for maintenance (oiling up inspection etc.)
Is there run-round facility at both ends, you would not be allowed to propel train in one direction.

Oh, and I nearly forgot, you need an engine, mainline certified, Hire costs, steaming fees? Extra crews. And rolling stock.

That aside, yes it would be a terrific line to run a steamer along, deffinately pull in a few extra passengers during the summer.
I think would work as an excursion not sure about a seasonal thing.

When I first read the OP, my immediate first thought was a 14XX and an auto trailer.

Whilst that would (could?) overcome the lack of run-round facilities, it wouldn't take many passengers per trip and the servicing aspects would still need to be resolved.

I'm pretty sure that the steam railtour operators would have jumped at this if it was feasible and profitable. <BJ>

Thanks all, it seems even more difficult than I'd imagined! Still, I'm evidently not the first to think of this idea:

http://sterlingraillink.co.uk/concept.htm

though clearly they have their work cut out to achieve anything ...

There are no run round facilities at St Ives. Currently, the train is "locked" into the single line section of the branch in the morning and stays in there until it finishes service.

Whilst you could run round a short train at St Erth, you'd block both the up and down main lines in the process, so that's a non-starter.

Top and tail would be the only way, doubling the already very expensive crew, coal, servicing and hire costs.

The branch is a busy one passenger wise, especially during the summer and a single coach auto-trailer would be hopelessly inadequate for the traffic on offer. So busy in fact, there is little commercial sense in trying to attract yet more passengers with steam haulage and slowing down the service in the process.

The operating methods and service level mean that even a charter train wouldn't get in there without totally disrupting things.

The permanent way might not be up to regularly handling steam locos.

It can also get pretty dry along there in the summer and I expect Network Rail and the local fire service would have quite some objections to steam working.

A nice idea, but sad to say - totally unworkable. Far better to visit a dedicated heritage railway if you want anything other than mainline steam haulage ...

jules wrote:The branch is a busy one passenger wise, especially during the summer and a single coach auto-trailer would be hopelessly inadequate for the traffic on offer. So busy in fact, there is little commercial sense in trying to attract yet more passengers with steam haulage ...

Flying off on a tangent, but it is interesting to recall that this "uneconomic" branch line was reprieved the Beeching Axe solely because the existing roads were inadequate ...

Auto trains are not restricted to one coach. I travelled from Gloucester to Chalford in 1963 and that was at least 2 coaches - as were auto trains on the Clevedon branch.