'On Saturday 10 September, 2005, Arriva Trains Wales will operate a 
Special Passenger Excursion along the full length of the Conwy Valley 
Line from Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog. 1Z39 Class 37/4 (drawn from 
the Rhymney Stud) with 6 coaches. Times : Llandudno dep 11:38, Blaenau 
Ffestiniog arr 12:55,  dep 13:25, Llandudno arr 14:37 The train will 
call and set down at Llandudno Junction only.  A special fare of 20 
applies, with tickets available on the train on the day. Relive leaving 
Llandudno again with a 37 and hear her growl in the mountains. A good 
trip beckons.'

The train actually starts from Crewe at 09.53, returning at 16.23, using
the stock of the special from Cardiff to the Crewe Open Day. I'm
informed that passengers can pay on the train for the full working also.
(Although I can't just put my hand on the cost.)

Charlie
North Wales Coast Railway website
http://www.page27.co.uk/nwales

Charlie Hulme  wrote:


>'On Saturday 10 September, 2005, Arriva Trains Wales will operate a 
>Special Passenger Excursion along the full length of the Conwy Valley 
>Line from Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog. 1Z39 Class 37/4 (drawn from 
>the Rhymney Stud) with 6 coaches. Times : Llandudno dep 11:38, Blaenau 
>Ffestiniog arr 12:55,  dep 13:25, Llandudno arr 14:37 The train will 
>call and set down at Llandudno Junction only.  A special fare of 20 
>applies, with tickets available on the train on the day. Relive leaving 
>Llandudno again with a 37 and hear her growl in the mountains. A good 
>trip beckons.'
>
>The train actually starts from Crewe at 09.53, returning at 16.23, using
>the stock of the special from Cardiff to the Crewe Open Day. I'm
>informed that passengers can pay on the train for the full working also.
>(Although I can't just put my hand on the cost.)



If there had been another 24hrs notice I would have been on it.  

Bugger!  :-(

But thanks for letting the group know, Charlie.  Hopefully a few of
the subscribers can treat themselves to a great day out.

;-)

"Charlie Hulme"  wrote in message 
news:15kUe.8937$Y06.1933@newsfe2-win.ntli.net...

> 'On Saturday 10 September, 2005, Arriva Trains Wales will operate a 
> Special Passenger Excursion along the full length of the Conwy Valley Line 
> from Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog. 1Z39 Class 37/4 (drawn from the 
> Rhymney Stud) with 6 coaches. Times : Llandudno dep 11:38, Blaenau 
> Ffestiniog arr 12:55,  dep 13:25, Llandudno arr 14:37 The train will call 
> and set down at Llandudno Junction only.  A special fare of 20 applies, 
> with tickets available on the train on the day. Relive leaving Llandudno 
> again with a 37 and hear her growl in the mountains. A good trip beckons.'
>
> The train actually starts from Crewe at 09.53, returning at 16.23, using
> the stock of the special from Cardiff to the Crewe Open Day. I'm
> informed that passengers can pay on the train for the full working also.
> (Although I can't just put my hand on the cost.)


At 40 it's a bloody rip off especially when ATW could have just run it as a 
service train!!!

Tim

And no child fares available which hardly makes ATW look 'family
friendly'.

"Tim Rogers"  wrote:


>At 40 it's a bloody rip off especially when ATW could have just run it as a 
>service train!!!



Arriva is running a business, not a social service.

If you don't like the fare, don't buy the ticket.

"Tony Polson"  wrote in message 
news:5kq3i15gbnnloehq4jgktfll4ufcbnjcu6@4ax.com...

> "Tim Rogers"  wrote:
>
>>At 40 it's a bloody rip off especially when ATW could have just run it as 
>>a
>>service train!!!
>
>
> Arriva is running a business, not a social service.
>
> If you don't like the fare, don't buy the ticket.


Which I suspect is what rather a lot of people have done. Hence the 20 fare 
Llandudno to Blaenau and the pay on the train being available. Most of the 
37 'bashers' I know are not touching it becuase of the price. It is costing 
very little for ATW to run the train (relative to say a normal charter). 
They will use a Crewe driver and guard who know the route to Llandudno Junc 
and the only extra cost will be a pilot driver and guard down the Blaenau 
Branch.

They could have just charged normals fares (perhaps banned priv boxes) and 
the train would have been full (and I would have been on it!). They are 
doing just that on the Cardiff to Crewe bit so why not the North Wales bit.

Social service no but this is Bad Business as they do not know what their 
market can afford!!!!!!

Tim

>
>
> 

Tim Rogers wrote:


> "Tony Polson"  wrote in message 
> news:5kq3i15gbnnloehq4jgktfll4ufcbnjcu6@4ax.com...

>>If you don't like the fare, don't buy the ticket.
> 
> 
> Which I suspect is what rather a lot of people have done. Hence the 20 fare 
> Llandudno to Blaenau and the pay on the train being available. 


And there's Larry Davies the new Conwy Valley Community Rail Officer 
thinking he's made an effort to provide a trip for North Wales people ...


> Most of the 
> 37 'bashers' I know are not touching it becuase of the price.


I think I just decided to travel on the train ;-) ;-)

I find your attitude quite surprising, although I suppose the hardened 
37 basher would really prefer an obscure freight 37 rather than one they 
could do at Rhymney any day of the week.

But yes, I agree, ATW's marketing people do seem to have a lot to learn.
They should have made it a service train. In fact, how are they
managing to run it any other way, does their operating licence
allow them to run excursions? Perhaps Tony Miles can comment on this.

Just think -  you can be a railway company 'Managing Director' by age 
30! What would Sir Felix Pole have thought?

Charlie

Tim Rogers wrote:

> 
> Hence the 20 fare 
> Llandudno to Blaenau and the pay on the train being available.


It's a very late announcement, perhaps the sales for the 40 
Crewe-Blaenau tickets were not what they expected so they're making a 
last-ditch effort by opening it up to North Wales residents. Too late 
for us, we already have our tickets for the open day.

Alan

"Charlie Hulme"  wrote in message 
news:qLmUe.871$K5.301@newsfe7-gui.ntli.net...

> Tim Rogers wrote:
>
>> "Tony Polson"  wrote in message 
>> news:5kq3i15gbnnloehq4jgktfll4ufcbnjcu6@4ax.com...
>
>>>If you don't like the fare, don't buy the ticket.
>>
>>
>> Which I suspect is what rather a lot of people have done. Hence the 20 
>> fare Llandudno to Blaenau and the pay on the train being available.
>
> And there's Larry Davies the new Conwy Valley Community Rail Officer 
> thinking he's made an effort to provide a trip for North Wales people ...
>
>> Most of the 37 'bashers' I know are not touching it becuase of the price.
>
> I think I just decided to travel on the train ;-) ;-)


I know what you mean here Charlie but it reflects those who used to travel 
up and down the North Wales Coast in the 90s relaising that they are being 
ripped off!

>
> I find your attitude quite surprising, although I suppose the hardened 37 
> basher would really prefer an obscure freight 37 rather than one they 
> could do at Rhymney any day of the week.


Not at all 37425 is quite fine for most of the 'bashers'. Don;t need a no 
heat engine to fill a train.


>
> But yes, I agree, ATW's marketing people do seem to have a lot to learn.
> They should have made it a service train. In fact, how are they
> managing to run it any other way, does their operating licence
> allow them to run excursions? Perhaps Tony Miles can comment on this.


They can run it as a service train. Non of the lines covered are outside the 
ATW operating area so there is no reason for them not to operate in such a 
way. Someone at the top thought that 37 'cranks' would be so desperate for a 
37 down the coast that they would pay 40 for the privilege. Not a chance!!! 
And they are running the additional up the Marches and even offering 'Rail' 
readers two for the price of one on that one. Maybe that is the reason they 
feel they have to charge 40; to recoup money lost on the Marches bit??

I shall be out with my camera tomorrow Charlie so I'll email you some pics 
for your website!!!

Tim





>
> Just think -  you can be a railway company 'Managing Director' by age 30! 
> What would Sir Felix Pole have thought?
>
> Charlie
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 

Tim Rogers wrote:


> They can run it as a service train. Non of the lines covered are outside the 
> ATW operating area so there is no reason for them not to operate in such a 
> way. Someone at the top thought that 37 'cranks' would be so desperate for a 
> 37 down the coast that they would pay 40 for the privilege.


I thought they _had_ to run it as a service train or 'relief' at normal 
fares. Could it be that it is officially an EWS working like the fNW
farewell specials were? Or have the rules changed?


> I shall be out with my camera tomorrow Charlie so I'll email you some pics 
> for your website!!!


Thanks Tim!

Charlie

"Charlie Hulme"  wrote in message 
news:vgnUe.3403$st1.2824@newsfe3-gui.ntli.net...

> Tim Rogers wrote:
>
>> They can run it as a service train. Non of the lines covered are outside 
>> the ATW operating area so there is no reason for them not to operate in 
>> such a way. Someone at the top thought that 37 'cranks' would be so 
>> desperate for a 37 down the coast that they would pay 40 for the 
>> privilege.
>
> I thought they _had_ to run it as a service train or 'relief' at normal 
> fares. Could it be that it is officially an EWS working like the fNW
> farewell specials were? Or have the rules changed?


I thought that to. After all when the extra train for the 'Jewex' ran the 
other week that had to be a service train for the reasons stated above (and 
at 14.90 Wolves to Aber CDR it was a bargain!). I would have thought that 
ATW could easily have operated the train 'in-house'. Maybe you'll have to 
see tomorrow?

Tim

>
>> I shall be out with my camera tomorrow Charlie so I'll email you some 
>> pics for your website!!!
>
> Thanks Tim!
>
> Charlie
>
>
> 

On Fri, 9 Sep 2005 21:19:24, "Tim Rogers" 
wrote:

>>>
>>>At 40 it's a bloody rip off especially when ATW could have just run it as 
>>>a service train!!!
>>
>> Arriva is running a business, not a social service.
>>
>> If you don't like the fare, don't buy the ticket.
>
>Which I suspect is what rather a lot of people have done. Hence the 20 fare 
>Llandudno to Blaenau and the pay on the train being available. Most of the 
>37 'bashers' I know are not touching it becuase of the price. It is costing 
>very little for ATW to run the train (relative to say a normal charter). 


I'm also giving it a miss because of the price.  When I rang ATW and
was told a ticket for the special was 40, I wondered if "Chingfinder"
were organising it!

Once one adds in the fare from South Wales to Crewe, total expenditure
for the day is almost 72!  I can get a 4 days in 8 Freedom of Wales
Flexipass for 55, which would allow me to make four trips to Blaenau
Ffestiniog!


>They could have just charged normals fares (perhaps banned priv boxes) and 
>the train would have been full (and I would have been on it!). They are 
>doing just that on the Cardiff to Crewe bit so why not the North Wales bit.


Yes, that would have been a sensible arrangement.  Normal fares were
charged on the special trains when the Vale of Glamorgan line opened
and most trains were well loaded!


>Social service no but this is Bad Business as they do not know what their 
>market can afford!!!!!!


ATW have certainly misjudged the pricing on this!  No wonder they
don't quote prices on their web page - they're perhaps too
embarrassed!

http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/en/news/news_releases2.php?categoryID=46&article=820&sub_subnavID=&subnavID=134

Paul Harley

-- 
Remove "eeek" to contact me!

On 2005-09-09, Alan Crawshaw <alan@fastasleep.invalid> wrote:

> Tim Rogers wrote:
>> 
>> Hence the 20 fare 
>> Llandudno to Blaenau and the pay on the train being available.
>
> It's a very late announcement, perhaps the sales for the 40 
> Crewe-Blaenau tickets were not what they expected so they're making a 
> last-ditch effort by opening it up to North Wales residents. Too late 
> for us, we already have our tickets for the open day.


Correct. My dad and grandad are heavily into trains (I just use them,
and know very little beyond the fact they get me from A to B). I
called ATW to see about getting them onto this tour, since the train
comes within 10 foot of my house. 

"How many tickets have you sold?" I asked, regarding the 40 quid per
ticket price.
"Very few"
"Got a figure?"
"Less than 20"

It was far from full when it came by today.

Gary

Gary Smith wrote:


> 
> It was far from full when it came by today.
> 


Somewhere around the 100-150 total in the 6 coaches, I reckon. Wonderful 
for the people (including me - and, if I'm not mistaken, the fellow who 
starred in the legendary 'Bashers' TV show) who did travel! Loads of 
space, everyone got thir pictures at North Llanrwst and Blaenau (where 
the sun shone, believe it or not)...

ATW's business mistake maybe, but I don't care, I had a great time!

Charlie

On Sat, 10 Sep 2005 17:41:52 GMT, Charlie Hulme
 wrote:

>
>Somewhere around the 100-150 total in the 6 coaches, I reckon. Wonderful 
>for the people (including me - and, if I'm not mistaken, the fellow who 
>starred in the legendary 'Bashers' TV show) who did travel!


Ah, Rishton!  I guess that Pip Dunn kept a low profile, if he was
there!  ;-)

Paul Harley

-- 
Remove "eeek" to contact me!

"Paul Harley"  wrote in message 
news:sia4i1hln68mh6acqp08jc6k9jjplqqo0s@4ax.com...

> On Fri, 9 Sep 2005 21:19:24, "Tim Rogers" 
> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>At 40 it's a bloody rip off especially when ATW could have just run it 
>>>>as
>>>>a service train!!!
>>>
>>> Arriva is running a business, not a social service.
>>>
>>> If you don't like the fare, don't buy the ticket.
>>

And to top it all I hear the Arriva were accepting Freedom Of Wales' as far 
as the Llandudno Junc, Also Privs and Child fares were available on the 
train.

That was after it was 40 or nothing was advertised!!!

Anyone confirm?

Tim

Tim Rogers wrote:


> And to top it all I hear the Arriva were accepting Freedom Of Wales' as far 
> as the Llandudno Junc, Also Privs and Child fares were available on the 
> train.
> 
> That was after it was 40 or nothing was advertised!!!
> 
> Anyone confirm?


No, as nobody was sat near me  - although I didn't see any children on 
the Conwy Valley section.

I paid 19.50 to travel on service trains from Manchester plus the
20 quid for the Conwy Valley, so I ended up paying almost 40 quid
anyway ... I think if the 40 pounds had included free travel to
Crewe or Chester on any ATW service it would have been better value.

I'll be passing on my comments to ATW about their marketing.

The return journey was announced for use by all passengers
from Chester to Crewe as the shuttle unit had gone missing!
I saw this after travelling LLan Jc to Chester on the VT
57 + Mk3 London train - what a shame the 'standby Mk3
set' is in such poor condition, no aircon, no reservations
labelled, no hot drinks from the buffet due to boiler
'blown up'. Overheard passengers saying 'any old rubbish
will do for North Wales' etc ... oh dear.

And if VT are about North Wales, why does an important
seaside resort like Llandudno get its through London
train removed on summer saturdays?

(Sorry, that turned into a bit of an anti-VT rant)

Charlie

Tony Polson wrote:

> "Tim Rogers"  wrote:
>
> >At £40 it's a bloody rip off especially when ATW could have just run it as a
> >service train!!!
>
>
> Arriva is running a business, not a social service.
>
> If you don't like the fare, don't buy the ticket.


Don't worry; we won't! 

Happy? ;-)

Yorkie wrote:


> Tony Polson wrote:

>>If you don't like the fare, don't buy the ticket.
> 
> 
> Don't worry; we won't! 
> 
> Happy? ;-)
> 


Yes! Lots of free droplight windows to hang out of :-)

Charlie