This is a companion page to Far North Express 91, January 2024.
Links mentioned in the magazine, and larger versions of some pictures:
The speakers' slides from our AGM & Conference in Timespan, Helmsdale on 23 June:
A detailed conversation with a ScotRail official produced an explanation of how this has come about. ScotRail only requires cycle reservations on a small number of services such as the West Highland Line, Far North Line, Highland Main Line and the Inter7City services. Customers can make their cycle reservations at the same time as their seat reservation either online via the ScotRail website or made at stations or via the telephone to the telesales team. They cannot currently be made via the mobile app, but this is being addressed and work is underway to enhance the mobile app, which is expected to be live by the end of October.
The train reservation and ticketing system is a UK wide system run by The Trainline who are the online ticket supplier for ScotRail and all other rail operators. This UK system requires customers to have an 'attach to cycle' coupon. ScotRail are in discussions with The Trainline over the challenges this places on customers whose local stations do not have a ticket vending machine to print either the seat reservation ticket or the attach to cycle coupon.
In reality any traveller booking cycle and seat reservations online will have the necessary proof with them, either in the form of a computer printout of the booking document, or the document on their mobile phone. ScotRail is in discussions to review the need for the attach to cycle coupon to be printed for ScotRail services as it is not something that ScotRail staff expect customers to display on their cycles if they have their reservation confirmation printed or on their smart device.
This is a link to the report upon which this article is based.
The Class 93 Tractive Efforts Comparisons chart from Rail Engineer magazine is worth a close look.
This update was reproduced in Far North Express with permission from Beamish Museum.
News of Dunrobin, and all their other projects can be found on the Beamish Transport Online website.
The Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association kindly provided us with these photos:
The Highland Falcon Thief can be purchased online and you can visit the series website:
These pictures are from Lee Clinton, Telent's Head of Operations (Scotland), taken on an inspection run.
The Kyle of Lochalsh and Far North Lines can be purchased online:
A reminder of the beautifully restored station building.
