Frequently Asked Questions
Chartering a train is easy, with our charter stop shop approach, we take the hassle away from you.
However, we do understand that it might look very complex, so we've listed below the most common questions that get asked.
1. Number of passengers
We have a maximum seating capacity of up to 700 passengers. This is for an all standard-class train but we can also provide an all-first class train with a seating capacity of up to 300. We can provide any combination of first and standard class carriages to suit your needs.
There is not really a minimum number of passengers required as hiring a train is linked to the purpose of the journey and whether the cost justifies the means.
However, we recommend you have a minimum number of 100 passengers to make the train commercially viable. The reason for this is that the length of train does not really make a difference to fixed costs, such as crews, locomotives, route cost per mile etc. Therefore the more people, the cheaper the cost per head.
Finally, a train always requires a minimum number of carriages in the formation regardless of whether they are used. This is to provide enough braking capacity to slow the train down effectively. The less brake force on a train, the more limited the train is in terms of its top speed it can run at. The engineer's rule 'your right to speed is your ability to stop' still stands true today!
2. Insurance
Rail-Blue Charters operates under the insurance of the haulier of the train who has the license to operate on the rail network. This is also called the Safety Certificate or Safety Case.
To allow Rail-Blue Charters rolling stock to operate with that nominated haulier, RBC will have been audited and therefore approved by that operator to operate safety with it. This is a very rigid process managed by the operator to satisfy the operator that our vehicles have been maintained to the correct and satisfactory level against the maintenance regime we put into place.
In addition, Rail Blue Charters has its own public liability insurance and employers liability insurance. Also, any approved supplier to RBC is required to have its own insurance, e.g. the catering supplier.
However, we do recommend to our customers that they take out event insurance in case the train has to be cancelled by the customer or if the event attended by the customer is cancelled.
3. Disabled facilities
In the first and standard class carriages, we can make disabled facilities available but we need to be informed about this prior to the start of the journey so that necessary preparations can be made. We can also take wheelchairs onboard as we have a ramp to get wheelchairs easily on the train.
4. Catering
Rail-Blue Charters can provide you with any of your catering requirements ranging from breakfast to brunch or a 4-course dinner or even a buffet.
On one hand, you can choose from our menus or alternatively, you can put together a menu yourselves and ask us a quote.
5. Alcohol
On a charter train, alcohol can be served with the exception of football trains. Moving trains are exempt from the usual licencing laws that apply to licenced fixed premises.
The buffet car serves whatever you define as a requirement and our chef will make sure that he stocks it accordingly.
However, we would always ask that any of our customers indulge in moderation.
6. Seating plan
To help you with allocating seats to the passengers who are travelling on the train, a seating plan for the relevant carriages will be provided so that seat allocation happens smoothly.
On the other hand, if you want us to take care of the ticket sales through a centralised reservation, we can also arrange this for you through one of our partners.
7. Personnel onboard
For your train, you need to make sure that you engage enough stewards who help you manage the train. On average, we recommend to have one steward per carriage.
However, if you have booked the catering through Rail-Blue Charters, our catering staff will be of assistance at any time and will be part of the steward team.
8. The Length of the Journey
Trains can be hired for any length of time. Please make this clear at the time of request as there are many possible options.
Examples:
- Daytrip with the outbound and return journey on the same day. Please note that you can also request for a pick up/set down of passengers on your outbound and return journey.
- ‘Landcruise’ throughout the UK which spans a number of days with a different destination every day.
- Outbound and return journey on different days as the event may cover more than one day but the train can be stabled during the duration of the event.
9. What is the Standard Notice Period required to hire a train?
The standard notice period for charter trains is 12 weeks at which time the train specification must be submitted to Network Rail and a deposit paid in cleared funds. In reality, this means the train has to be booked and paid for with Rail Blue Charters at 13 weeks or 70 business days.
The exceptions are sporting events such as football and rugby trains and more in particular charter trains for the semi-final and finals which can be submitted at the time when it’s known what clubs will play when.
However, please note that the 12-week rule remains applicable for fixtures.
