Battle to save Weymouth's 'bucket and spade' special train (From Thisisdorset)

Battle to save Weymouth's 'bucket and spade' special train

11:50am Monday 12th January 2009 in

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CAMPAIGNERS pleaded with a rail company today: ‘Please save our train.’ They are dismayed that it is the end of the line for a popular tourist train, known as the Bucket and Spade special, after more than 20 years.

Several hundred people travel on the summer Saturday specials from Bristol to Weymouth.

It is feared the move could have implications for the holiday industry in Weymouth and Portland.

The train is traditionally laid on as an extra service in peak summer to cope with the large numbers of day-trippers and holidaymakers heading to Dorset from Yeovil, Bath and Bristol.

Unlike other trains which run on the Bristol line, it is made up of a locomotive and several coaches meaning much more space is available for passengers and their luggage.

The service was not included as part of train operator First Great Western’s franchise agreement but since it took over operating the line the company has agreed to run the train due to demand, hiring the train from another rail company for £200,000.

But this year looks set to be the first time the train has not run since the 1980s.

First says there will be enough diesel units available as a result of the company ‘making the best use of its resources.’ But campaigners are worried there will not be enough carriages to meet demand.

The line has enjoyed a boom in passenger numbers, but overcrowded trains could put people off going by rail, they said.

Line promotion group the Heart of Wessex Partnership carried out a survey two years ago which highlighted severe overcrowding on some trains. Packed carriages with some passengers standing for an hour or more combined with frequently late and cancelled trains led to a public perception of ‘service meltdown’ which has been damaging for the line, the report suggested.

First has tried to improve the situation but there’s still work to be done – last week just one carriage – without a working toilet – was laid on for a 120-mile trip from Weymouth to Gloucester. Weymouth station representative for the Heart of Wessex Partnership Andy Hutchings said: “I view with great concern the proposal by not to run the loco-hauled Bucket and Spade special on summer Saturdays.

“The partnership will require firm assurances that the lost capacity can be covered by First Great Western using is own stock.”

Regional spokesman for the Campaign for Better Transport David Redgewell said it would be a huge loss if the Bucket and Spade train were withdrawn.

He said: “This train has been run for over 20 years in one form or another during the summer. The beauty of it is that it has extra carriages so that people don’t have to stand.

“Everyone assumed First was going to run it this year.”

Mr Redgewell said the decision should have been put out to consultation so groups had an opportunity to comment.

He urged people to start a letter writing campaign to demand the service is reinstated for summer 2009.

A spokesman for First Great Western said: “It’s unlikely the locomotive-hauled train will run but we’re looking to increase capacity on other services as we have done in previous years for summer services to Weymouth.

“We can’t give any more detail about that at the moment.

“A locomotive and carriages may be of interest to railway enthusiasts but in fact this service is not part of our franchise agreement.”

The spokesman said rolling stock was in short supply but the company is working with the Department for Transport to try and secure additional carriages.

He added: “It’s better to run a short train than no service at all.

“However, we feel optimistic about securing additional stock.”