I wonder if any rail enthoosiasts here have tried any of the rail 
excursions offered at:

http://www.past-timerail.co.uk/tourdates.htm

The Cotton Mill Express had a mention in our local paper and It struck 
me as an alternative to the East Lancashire and Worth Valley routes, at 
£42 quid for a circular 100 mile route...

Any comments, Andrew?
-- 
Gordon H
(Remove "Invalid" to reply)

In message <hnreWxLWLOmHFwR2@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid>, Gordon H 
<Gordon@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid> writes
>I wonder if any rail enthoosiasts here have tried any of the rail 
>excursions offered at:

>http://www.past-timerail.co.uk/tourdates.htm

>The Cotton Mill Express had a mention in our local paper and It struck 
>me as an alternative to the East Lancashire and Worth Valley routes, at 
>£42 quid for a circular 100 mile route...

>Any comments, Andrew?

I haven't been on a main-line steam run for many years; the last one was 
the King's Cross-Peterborough (plus Nene Valley Railway) run back in 
1994 (IIRC) behind ex-LNER Gresley A4 60009. It was a good day out, with 
some fast running (up to 75mph), but over minimal gradients.

The Cotton Mill Express looks like a fairly good run for the money; main 
line steam isn't cheap these days.

The Black 5 and/or Standard 4 will work hard, and sound good, on the 
inclines, particularly the long haul up Copy Pit. For my money, though, 
I'd have preferred a longer stop in Blackburn, to have a leisurely 
lunch; it sounds as if it'll be either a bring-your-own-sandwiches job, 
or lunch for funny money on the train, or a very quick pub or 
station-buffet feed if there's time to do it.

If I lived near to the start/finish, and had the money[45407], I might 
be tempted, but I think I'd prefer to spend the same amount on a visit 
to the KWVR or ELR, where I could set my own timetable, and have a 
decent break for lunch and a beer or two. Less distance covered, but, to 
me, more enjoyment overall. YMMV, though.

[45407]which I don't - I'm still looking for a new job; there's very 
little about at the moment, and probably won't be until firms get their 
FY2008-9 budgets agreed...
-- 
73,
Andrew Marshall, G8BUR, M0MAA.
Unsolicited advertising matter unwelcome. Offenders may be blacklisted.

In message <hnreWxLWLOmHFwR2@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid>, Gordon H wrote:

> I wonder if any rail enthoosiasts here have tried any of the rail
> excursions offered at:
> 
> http://www.past-timerail.co.uk/tourdates.htm
> 
> The Cotton Mill Express had a mention in our local paper and It struck
> me as an alternative to the East Lancashire and Worth Valley routes, at
> £42 quid for a circular 100 mile route...
> 
About as good value as a peak time trip to London from here, forty quid or
so for 50 miles there and 50 miles back... Probably more fun and less
crowded as well.
-- 
Dave
mail da ve@llondel.org (without the space)
http://www.llondel.org
So many gadgets, so little time

On Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:42:09 +0000, "Dave {Reply Address in.Sig}"
<noone$$@llondel.org> enriched this group when s/he wrote:

>In message <hnreWxLWLOmHFwR2@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid>, Gordon H wrote:
>
>> I wonder if any rail enthoosiasts here have tried any of the rail
>> excursions offered at:
>> 
>> http://www.past-timerail.co.uk/tourdates.htm
>> 
>> The Cotton Mill Express had a mention in our local paper and It struck
>> me as an alternative to the East Lancashire and Worth Valley routes, at
>> £42 quid for a circular 100 mile route...
>> 
>About as good value as a peak time trip to London from here, forty quid or
>so for 50 miles there and 50 miles back... Probably more fun and less
>crowded as well.

And, being rail enthusiasts, almost certainly a better class of people
as well :)

-- 
Bob.

Ye Old One  wrote:
> "Dave {Reply Address in.Sig}" wrote: 
>>Gordon H wrote: 
>
>>> The Cotton Mill Express had a mention in our local paper and It
>>> struck me as an alternative to the East Lancashire and Worth
>>> Valley routes, at £42 quid for a circular 100 mile route...
>
>>About as good value as a peak time trip to London from here, forty
>>quid or so for 50 miles there and 50 miles back... Probably more
>>fun and less crowded as well.
> 
> And, being rail enthusiasts, almost certainly a better class of
> people as well :)

Oh, not the kind who frequent newsgroups then?

Stu

On 25 Jan 2008 00:16:34 GMT, Stuart Bronstein 
enriched this group when s/he wrote:

>Ye Old One  wrote:
>> "Dave {Reply Address in.Sig}" wrote: 
>>>Gordon H wrote: 
>>
>>>> The Cotton Mill Express had a mention in our local paper and It
>>>> struck me as an alternative to the East Lancashire and Worth
>>>> Valley routes, at £42 quid for a circular 100 mile route...
>>
>>>About as good value as a peak time trip to London from here, forty
>>>quid or so for 50 miles there and 50 miles back... Probably more
>>>fun and less crowded as well.
>> 
>> And, being rail enthusiasts, almost certainly a better class of
>> people as well :)
>
>Oh, not the kind who frequent newsgroups then?
>
>Stu

Ah! But UKS is not just any newsgroup now it is? 

-- 
Bob.

Andrew Marshall  writes
>In message <hnreWxLWLOmHFwR2@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid>, Gordon H 
><Gordon@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid> writes
>>I wonder if any rail enthoosiasts here have tried any of the rail 
>>excursions offered at:
>
>>http://www.past-timerail.co.uk/tourdates.htm
>
>>The Cotton Mill Express had a mention in our local paper and It struck 
>>me as an alternative to the East Lancashire and Worth Valley routes, 
>>at £42 quid for a circular 100 mile route...
>
>>Any comments, Andrew?
>
[...]
>
>The Cotton Mill Express looks like a fairly good run for the money; 
>main line steam isn't cheap these days.
>
>The Black 5 and/or Standard 4 will work hard, and sound good, on the 
>inclines, particularly the long haul up Copy Pit. For my money, though, 
>I'd have preferred a longer stop in Blackburn, to have a leisurely 
>lunch; it sounds as if it'll be either a bring-your-own-sandwiches job, 
>or lunch for funny money on the train, or a very quick pub or 
>station-buffet feed if there's time to do it.
>
>If I lived near to the start/finish, and had the money[45407], I might 
>be tempted, but I think I'd prefer to spend the same amount on a visit 
>to the KWVR or ELR, where I could set my own timetable, and have a 
>decent break for lunch and a beer or two. Less distance covered, but, 
>to me, more enjoyment overall. YMMV, though.
>
OK, Andrew, I understand your point of view.   Unfortunately my pal 
George with whom I shared these kind of jaunts, had a stroke a few 
months ago and also has a catheter, so is unable to join me.
I'm not sure it is Mavis's idea of a fun outing!

The last couple of trips with George consisted of a cruise from 
Manchester to Liverpool on one of the Mersey ferries, an excellent 
outing on a fine day, and a boat trip through the Anderton Lift on 
another occasion.
-- 
Gordon H
(Remove "Invalid" to reply)

In message <ihizcQJGWkmHFwRC@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid>, Gordon H 
<Gordon@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid> writes
>Andrew Marshall  writes
>>If I lived near to the start/finish, and had the money[45407], I might 
>>be tempted, but I think I'd prefer to spend the same amount on a visit 
>>to the KWVR or ELR, where I could set my own timetable, and have a 
>>decent break for lunch and a beer or two. Less distance covered, but, 
>>more enjoyment overall. YMMV, though.

>OK, Andrew, I understand your point of view.   Unfortunately my pal 
>George with whom I shared these kind of jaunts, had a stroke a few 
>months ago and also has a catheter, so is unable to join me.

Ouch. I'm sorry to hear that; a round trip type of outing would indeed 
be more manageable for him.

>I'm not sure it is Mavis's idea of a fun outing!

I'd have thought the main line trip would be a pretty good day out, even 
for someone who might not be interested in the train itself.

>The last couple of trips with George consisted of a cruise from 
>Manchester to Liverpool on one of the Mersey ferries, an excellent 
>outing on a fine day, and a boat trip through the Anderton Lift on 
>another occasion.

The Anderton lift sounds particularly interesting. If I ever get the 
chance some day, I wouldn't mind taking a boat trip through the Falkirk 
Wheel either.
-- 
73,
Andrew Marshall, G8BUR, M0MAA.
Unsolicited advertising matter unwelcome. Offenders may be blacklisted.

On Fri, 25 Jan 2008 23:51:28 +0000, Andrew Marshall
 enriched this group when s/he wrote:

>In message <ihizcQJGWkmHFwRC@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid>, Gordon H 
><Gordon@g3snx.demon.co.uk.invalid> writes
>>Andrew Marshall  writes
>>>If I lived near to the start/finish, and had the money[45407], I might 
>>>be tempted, but I think I'd prefer to spend the same amount on a visit 
>>>to the KWVR or ELR, where I could set my own timetable, and have a 
>>>decent break for lunch and a beer or two. Less distance covered, but, 
>>>more enjoyment overall. YMMV, though.
>
>>OK, Andrew, I understand your point of view.   Unfortunately my pal 
>>George with whom I shared these kind of jaunts, had a stroke a few 
>>months ago and also has a catheter, so is unable to join me.
>
>Ouch. I'm sorry to hear that; a round trip type of outing would indeed 
>be more manageable for him.
>
>>I'm not sure it is Mavis's idea of a fun outing!
>
>I'd have thought the main line trip would be a pretty good day out, even 
>for someone who might not be interested in the train itself.
>
>>The last couple of trips with George consisted of a cruise from 
>>Manchester to Liverpool on one of the Mersey ferries, an excellent 
>>outing on a fine day, and a boat trip through the Anderton Lift on 
>>another occasion.
>
>The Anderton lift sounds particularly interesting. If I ever get the 
>chance some day, I wouldn't mind taking a boat trip through the Falkirk 
>Wheel either.

Should ask Nev about that, I'll bet he did it when he lived up in
Falkirk some years ago.
-- 
Bob.

In message , Ye Old One 
 writes
>On Fri, 25 Jan 2008 23:51:28 +0000, Andrew Marshall
> enriched this group when s/he wrote:
>>If I ever get the
>>chance some day, I wouldn't mind taking a boat trip through the Falkirk
>>Wheel either.

>Should ask Nev about that, I'll bet he did it when he lived up in
>Falkirk some years ago.

Aye; it won't be soon, though - not at present having an income, 
long-distance trips are pretty well off the agenda for me at the moment.
-- 
Regards,
Andrew Marshall, G8BUR, M0MAA.
Unsolicited advertising matter unwelcome. Offenders may be blacklisted.

On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:16:38 +0000, Andrew Marshall
 enriched this group when s/he wrote:

>In message , Ye Old One 
> writes
>>On Fri, 25 Jan 2008 23:51:28 +0000, Andrew Marshall
>> enriched this group when s/he wrote:
>>>If I ever get the
>>>chance some day, I wouldn't mind taking a boat trip through the Falkirk
>>>Wheel either.
>
>>Should ask Nev about that, I'll bet he did it when he lived up in
>>Falkirk some years ago.
>
>Aye; it won't be soon, though - not at present having an income, 
>long-distance trips are pretty well off the agenda for me at the moment.

Your thumb not working these days :)

-- 
Bob.

In message , Ye Old One 
 writes
>On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:16:38 +0000, Andrew Marshall
> enriched this group when s/he wrote:
>>Aye; it won't be soon, though - not at present having an income,
>>long-distance trips are pretty well off the agenda for me at the moment.

>Your thumb not working these days :)

Not for that purpose, no...:-)
-- 
Regards,
Andrew Marshall, G8BUR, M0MAA.
Unsolicited advertising matter unwelcome. Offenders may be blacklisted.

On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 22:32:43 +0000, Andrew Marshall
 enriched this group when s/he wrote:

>In message , Ye Old One 
> writes
>>On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:16:38 +0000, Andrew Marshall
>> enriched this group when s/he wrote:
>>>Aye; it won't be soon, though - not at present having an income,
>>>long-distance trips are pretty well off the agenda for me at the moment.
>
>>Your thumb not working these days :)
>
>Not for that purpose, no...:-)

Now you have got me thinking....and it hurts as I've been up since
5am.

-- 
Bob.

In message , Ye Old One 
 writes
>On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 22:32:43 +0000, Andrew Marshall
> enriched this group when s/he wrote:
>>In message , Ye Old One
>> writes
>>>Your thumb not working these days :)

>>Not for that purpose, no...:-)

>Now you have got me thinking....and it hurts as I've been up since
>5am.

5am? That's a bit oh-dark-early, innit?
-- 
Regards,
Andrew Marshall, G8BUR, M0MAA.
Unsolicited advertising matter unwelcome. Offenders may be blacklisted.

On Sun, 27 Jan 2008 09:18:47 +0000, Andrew Marshall
 enriched this group when s/he wrote:

>In message , Ye Old One 
> writes
>>On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 22:32:43 +0000, Andrew Marshall
>> enriched this group when s/he wrote:
>>>In message , Ye Old One
>>> writes
>>>>Your thumb not working these days :)
>
>>>Not for that purpose, no...:-)
>
>>Now you have got me thinking....and it hurts as I've been up since
>>5am.
>
>5am? That's a bit oh-dark-early, innit?

Rose (my wife) got a call at 4:50am from the alarm company that covers
the shop she works at. The manageress had not answered the phone so
she was next on the list. So, up, dress, and a run into the centre of
Gloucester to find that someone had not shut a door properly. Of
course, by the time I got home with her it was too late to go back to
bed so the result was a longer than usual day :(

Only bright spot was all the scantily clad young (and no so) ladies
walking around town at that time having just emerged from the clubs.
They certainly didn't seem to be feeling the cold.

-- 
Bob.

Ye Old One  wrote:
> Andrew Marshall wrote:

>>5am? That's a bit oh-dark-early, innit?
> 
> Rose (my wife) got a call at 4:50am from the alarm company that
> covers the shop she works at. The manageress had not answered the
> phone so she was next on the list. So, up, dress, and a run into
> the centre of Gloucester to find that someone had not shut a door
> properly. Of course, by the time I got home with her it was too
> late to go back to bed so the result was a longer than usual day
> :( 
> 
> Only bright spot was all the scantily clad young (and no so)
> ladies walking around town at that time having just emerged from
> the clubs. They certainly didn't seem to be feeling the cold.

It's all that anti-freeze they've been drinking all night.

Stu

In message , Ye Old One 
 writes
>On Sun, 27 Jan 2008 09:18:47 +0000, Andrew Marshall
> enriched this group when s/he wrote:
>>In message , Ye Old One
>> writes
>>>Now you have got me thinking....and it hurts as I've been up since
>>>5am.

>>5am? That's a bit oh-dark-early, innit?

>Rose (my wife) got a call at 4:50am from the alarm company that covers
>the shop she works at. The manageress had not answered the phone so
>she was next on the list. So, up, dress, and a run into the centre of
>Gloucester to find that someone had not shut a door properly.

Ah, IC. I imagine there will be words had tomorrow morning...

> Of
>course, by the time I got home with her it was too late to go back to
>bed so the result was a longer than usual day :(

Reminds me of the standby nights I did for HSA at Hatfield 25-odd years 
ago; after an overnight batch failure at 4am or later it wasn't worth 
going home again.

>Only bright spot was all the scantily clad young (and no so) ladies
>walking around town at that time having just emerged from the clubs.
>They certainly didn't seem to be feeling the cold.

Aye; much the same can be seen late at night in Stevenage. No sense, no 
feeling?
-- 
Regards,
Andrew Marshall, G8BUR, M0MAA.
Unsolicited advertising matter unwelcome. Offenders may be blacklisted.

Ye Old One wrote:
ght spot was all the scantily clad young (and no so) ladies
> walking around town at that time having just emerged from the clubs.
> They certainly didn't seem to be feeling the cold.

Ho ho! It reminds me of the time I met two Australian women in London 
when there was snow on the ground. We hadn't been in this pub very long 
when some English women with *very* short skirts and not much else came 
in. How can they wear that in this weather in an Australian accent 
echoed round the pub..


-- 
John Wright

Life is too short to be normal - Heather Kuzmich

John Wright  wrote:
> Ye Old One wrote:

> ght spot was all the scantily clad young (and no so) ladies
>> walking around town at that time having just emerged from the
>> clubs. They certainly didn't seem to be feeling the cold.
> 
> Ho ho! It reminds me of the time I met two Australian women in
> London when there was snow on the ground. We hadn't been in this
> pub very long when some English women with *very* short skirts and
> not much else came in. How can they wear that in this weather in
> an Australian accent echoed round the pub..

Reminds me of two guys in a pub.  Outside the wind is howling and rain 
is falling.  The men's hair is windblown, and their clothes are wet.  
One says,

"Well, then, golf again next week?"

"Of course, weather permittin'."

Stu

, Stuart Bronstein :

>
> Reminds me of two guys in a pub.  Outside the wind is howling and rain 
> is falling.  The men's hair is windblown, and their clothes are wet.  
> One says,
>
> "Well, then, golf again next week?"
>
> "Of course, weather permittin'."
>
> Stu

:-)