Presidential Rail Travel

[whole diary]

[Kernow Otter]

As suggested by others, and collated into a poll by me. 

Given the opportunity to convey visiting world leaders, by train on the St Ives Branch line, what rolling stock would you choose.

Thanks all.

[Electric train]

Wester Region classics double heading either -

2 Class 52, 4 Maybach's

or 

2 Class 50, the throb of 2 English Electric's

We should only provide such raw power for the world leaders

[johnneyw]

It's only a short hop. Showcase a battery powered DTrain.*



*If they fly to Cornwall.

Edit to add proviso.

[bobm]

Is the Royal Train cleared for the branch or could it be after this month?s track work?

[RichardB]

Is the Royal Train cleared for the branch or could it be after this month?s track work?

It probably is and always was fine, Bob, but given the Queen herself changed at St Erth from the Royal Train on to the branch 150 in 2013, I think the hassle is just too much unless, say, it's a winter Sunday.

Can see Boris and Joe Biden in the front coach of the 150 with the travelling public in the other three coaches (specially strengthened train).  Hope it happens.

[Andy]

For a steam special what would be the most appropriate haulage: Mallard? Princess Elizabeth? Britannia? Bodmin? City of Truro?

For a top and tailed diesel consist, I'd have:
At either end, Merkel in a DB^» (Deutsche Bahn - German State Railway - about) Schenker liveried 67 and Biden in the cab of a 66 or a 70. The Italian PM (whoever that will be) in a Pullman coach, Japan's PM Suga in a Hitachi Javelin coach, President Macron in a Eurostar coach, and Trudeau in a Voyager coach. Ideas for PM Johnson might include a 1940s dining saloon, Caroline, or a Wickham Trolley.


 

[CyclingSid]

To keep up his "long-distance" cycling exercise, how about Boris on one of this "see-saw" trolleys much loved in films. https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/08/c6/6c/d3/lincolnshire-coast-light.jpg I will leave others to suggest who should be pushing/pulling the other end of the handle.

[Bob_Blakey]

It surely has to be the most modern, technologically advanced machine available. And, possibly tempting fate, preferably designed and/or built in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) (if such a thing exists).

[stuving]

It surely has to be the most modern, technologically advanced machine available. And, possibly tempting fate, preferably designed and/or built in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) (if such a thing exists).

Yes, Joe's known interest in trains has been in new, shiny, fast ones. Much the best for commuting from Delaware to Washington. Does he have any known interest in the other kind?

[grahame]

It surely has to be the most modern, technologically advanced machine available. And, possibly tempting fate, preferably designed and/or built in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) (if such a thing exists).

Yes, Joe's known interest in trains has been in new, shiny, fast ones. Much the best for commuting from Delaware to Washington. Does he have any known interest in the other kind?

The alternative, perhaps, is an activity that gets picked up by the press and promotes tourism for when these things start again, for the mutual benefit of the long distance travel sector in the USA, the UK and the other countries attending.   The beautiful countryside and lovely lines, and old(er) and heritage lines right across Devon and Cornwall would suggest a sparklingly clear 150 or a the Railmotor.    How much is Joe (who has one or two other things on his plate) and how much is the marketing exposure for our local tourist industry?

[ellendune]

I am going to be unpopular here, but I am going to suggest bringing in a battery electric train from somewhere. Here is why:

1) Climate change is a key item on the agenda of the conference.
2) UK^▸ (United Kingdom) is already seen as harking back to days of empire not looking forward so heritage trains would just add to that impression.

[TonyK]

I am going to be unpopular here, but I am going to suggest bringing in a battery electric train from somewhere. Here is why:

1) Climate change is a key item on the agenda of the conference.
2) UK^▸ (United Kingdom) is already seen as harking back to days of empire not looking forward so heritage trains would just add to that impression.

Good idea, but the way these things usually go, we would probably have the train delivered on two lorries, with a third bringing the back-up batteries, and a fourth the diesel generator to charge them, plus a fifth with a backup generator. Plus a couple of two trucks on standby in case the lorries break down, and two diesel locos brought down specially from Aberdeen for if the train sits down. Oh, and a reserve Intercity Express Train -(IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train)) . Following in a fleet of armoured cars flown in from the US by C17s would be the secret service detail, with our own police and SAS in case they get too trigger happy, the presidential medical team in an ambulance, a separate car with that suitcase that makes the world go boom, all overseen by a couple of V-22 Ospreys, recently arrived from North Carolina. These would all need fuelling, as would the couple of hundred people needed to make sure the president can enjoy some time alone, so we can expect a number of pizza wagons and a tanker.


Edit: VickiS - clarifying acronym.

[Bmblbzzz]

Nine-car Intercity Express Train - (IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train)) . Each of the seven leaders with their staff gets a carriage to themselves. One car as a mobile conference room and the final one for general staff: security, catering (at-seat service*), media, psychosocial therapies for highly stressed heads of state**, et cetera.

*Sounds more impressive than 'trolley'.
**Provided by Lego and Hornby.




Edit: VickiS - clarifying acronym

[Red Squirrel]

I'm with johnneyw and ellendune - we should be showcasing something forward-looking and carbon neutral. TonyK makes a good point that it's no good just giving lip-service to this, but the optics matter.

We can't do much about the size of the presidential entourage!

[Jamsdad]

Do keep in mind that St Erth to Carbis Bay only takes 7 minutes!