Nice to see the standard gauge locos, I wonder for how much longer, what is the price of the match with such a large loco, i.e. how much does it cost to get up steam, unlike a diesel where to start it costs very little, even to move it 200 yards under it's own steam costs a fortune.
As a photographer I want to see the engine from the outside, going over a viaduct, over a bridge, etc, the view from the carriage is not that good, but it is the people who travel on the train who pay for it to run. And it seems this year we are down on people willing to pay to ride on the trains.
Two of the three posts with pictures I have posted in the last week, had to pay to look at them, the one with three locos was where anyone could get to, personally I pay for them with my time, I volunteer on the local railway. But railway I am connected with is 2' 6" gauge, so uses less fuel, however not at the seaside, so not so many tourists, and the line is steep, good for seeing smoke and steam but means four carriages is about the limit.
Before Colvid it was transport as well as tourist attraction, during Colvid it became tourist only, returning to base for a clean between each run, and all seats booked in advance, although carrying less, it was normally full, so not too bad, now however it seems people are finding the pinch, and not travelling to Mid Wales, and not paying £30 for a all day ticket on the train, I hope this is temporary, as not tourists means no trains.
Since this is a Cycle Chat, I will say there are problems with carrying a bike on the train, the design of the carriage means no need for a platform, although there is one either end of the run, and the traveller can stand outside where the train is running to take pictures, however it means a couple of steps then a right angle turn to get into the carriage, one is adapted for wheel chairs so more room, and there are wheel chair lifts either end, but the right angle turn means for some of the carriages the bike needs to be left outside, and that means other people can't use the viewing platform, I took a folding electric bike, and not easy to get on viewing platform, and impossible to get inside the carriage, first train of the day so carriage to myself, so not a problem, and since going to work on the railway not charged the £3.50 to carry the bike, same as dog, I am sure we could make a bike rack for last carriage, but not many bikes carried, and if the disabled access carriage is in use, then easy enough to get bike on the train.
As to carrying bikes on other narrow gauge trains trains don't know, I remember the ferry Fairborn to Barmouth use to carry bikes, not tried on train, and once work on the rail bridge is finished you can ride them across instead.
