Between HET/ST/THNSW and SETS/it's members you could essentially form 2 x 4 car sets with all original windows and a 3rd 4 car set and close to a handful of spare beclawat power cars. Quite amazing that many were purchased. A lot of people just seem to really love those trains which is also evidenced back in the steam days when it was not uncommon for a steamer to haul a u-boat tour train beyond the wires. Interesting also with the New Regional Rail Fleet being part electric, if ever these somehow were to influence a push for extension of the wires beyond Lithgow or Kiama, I'd assume a U-boat would be able to fit through/go wherever a NRRF train could go under the wires based on size/clearances. More wires may not happen...but interesting none the less what the potential could be with a running set.The only way a second standard set would see the light of day is if something like the North Sydney High Line project gets funded and is successful. That would require a separate set to be restored and used specifically for that purpose. It HAS been discussed.
In the end, the only thing that's going to get more cars restored, is regular bums on seats. The only reason F1 is successful now is because THNSW use it to bolster their ever important customer statistics - important because without them the Govt won;t keep coughing up money for things like Chullora.
To that point, an important test event is about to take place:
https://www.123tix.com.au/events/5542/f1-the-airports-tour
This is an event that a lot of people in THNSW/HET have said will not work because they don't think enthusiasts will support heritage electric train tours with their wallets and bums. So much so, that I have had to personally wear the financial risk on it by running it as a separate entity.
The proof is in the statistics. If this and other tours are supported, more will then take place. THNSW and HET will start to run their own. This in turn will increase demand for longer trains and more cars.
If not, then they'll just keep F1 as it is, at four cars - because it alone is enough to support current operations.
It's interesting to note that nobody has put their hand up to run anything using the recently preserved S Set. I have categorically stated the only way I'll run it is if other F1 enthusiast tours are successful first and even then, I'll only run it to destinations where F1 will not fit.
Edited 17 Oct 2019 00:03, 2 years ago, edited by zordmaker
Between HET/ST/THNSW and SETS/it's members you could essentially form 2 x 4 car sets with all original windows and a 3rd 4 car set and close to a handful of spare beclawat power cars. Quite amazing that many were purchased. A lot of people just seem to really love those trains which is also evidenced back in the steam days when it was not uncommon for a steamer to haul a u-boat tour train beyond the wires. Interesting also with the New Regional Rail Fleet being part electric, if ever these somehow were to influence a push for extension of the wires beyond Lithgow or Kiama, I'd assume a U-boat would be able to fit through/go wherever a NRRF train could go under the wires based on size/clearances. More wires may not happen...but interesting none the less what the potential could be with a running set.The only way a second standard set would see the light of day is if something like the North Sydney High Line project gets funded and is successful. That would require a separate set to be restored and used specifically for that purpose. It HAS been discussed.
In the end, the only thing that's going to get more cars restored, is regular bums on seats. The only reason F1 is successful now is because THNSW use it to bolster their ever important customer statistics - important because without them the Govt won;t keep coughing up money for things like Chullora.
To that point, an important test event is about to take place:
https://www.123tix.com.au/events/5542/f1-the-airports-tour
This is an event that a lot of people in THNSW/HET have said will not work because they don't think enthusiasts will support heritage electric train tours with their wallets and bums. So much so, that I have had to personally wear the financial risk on it by running it as a separate entity.
The proof is in the statistics. If this and other tours are supported, more will then take place. THNSW and HET will start to run their own. This in turn will increase demand for longer trains and more cars.
If not, then they'll just keep F1 as it is, at four cars - because it alone is enough to support current operations.
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