Friday, 11 December 2009

Will we be running 2nd/3rd January 2010?

The railway has publicised 2 extra operating days just after the New Year on January 2nd and 3rd, the intention being to capitalise on the Cranford exposure over Christmas. However to really do this justice it would be ideal to have Bellerophon in steam as people coming to the railway would no doubt be hoping to ride in the same train as they have seen on the TV. Unfortunately we cannot offer them the coaches so it would be imperative to have Bellerophon available but at the moment a big question mark hangs over her as the ongoing investigations into finding a suitable jointing material for the odd inspection doors set in the foundation ring. Very recently Bellerophon's information on the loco availability board has been updated to read 'withdrawn from service'... just about the time that the two 'Cranford' days in January were announced. I won't draw any conclusions from this, only to say that the will is there to get Bellerophon into traffic in time but the co-operation at some levels seems to be sadly lacking.
The question I therefore ask is, what will the public think if they come to ride on the train seen on Cranford but they get something completely different. Will they return again in the summer? Will they come at all?

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