The Little Red Train (LRT) is operated by volunteers for the purpose of recreation and enjoyment; but also to raise funds for organisations where we operate, notwithstanding the need to cover our own costs also. Portable Track events are operated in either of two options:
Fare Option A - The LRT takes fares and issues tickets. We will make a charge for attending the event, and the event host must agree to paying that charge. However, each Fare taken contributes to the charge, and only the balance not raised through revenue is actually charged. If the charge is met in full, then a percentage of any further revenue is given to the event host.
Fare Option B - The event host takes fares and issues tickets. We will make a charge for attending the event, and the event host must agree to paying that charge. Usually, this charge will be greater than with Fare Option A to contribute to general maintenance costs. This option is also appropriate where the LRT is deployed for fund-raising on a permanent track.
All monetary figures must be agreed among all parties before any agreement to participate is established. All applications shall be subject to our Directors’ approval. The LRT is available for all sorts of local event (subject to safety conditions), and your enquiry will be welcome. The first step in booking the LRT for your event is to complete the form below. We will acknowledge your enquiry and arrange a site visit with you before making any commitment. Our Conditions are shewn here.
Generally for portable track events, we will provide the 2-car train plus track. The amount of track will depend on the space available at the event site and the capacity of the vehicle used for transportation of the LRT (usually an LDV Convoy minibus). The centre car is not available with 'Portable Track Events.'
Bookings will be subject to sufficient numbers of qualified operators being available. Most of the LRT volunteers are in full time employment, so we cannot consider events that take place outside weekends or bank holidays. (Also, our volunteers are liable to domestic maintenance or other duties, and Sundays are particularly difficult to arrange.)
Please note also that we are based in north Hampshire and we will consider events within a 15 mile radius, plus west London within the M25 (west of the M1/A406/A24 corridor).
If there is a problem with the form above, please e-mail the details to:
bookings AT littleredtrain DOT co DOT uk
(remove spaces and convert words in CAPS to symbols)
Event Conditions
The LRT is operated with high regard to Safety and Security. All volunteers who are not supervised will have satisfied the Directors that they are competent and conversant with whatever function they are performing. A copy of our Rulebook & Constitution, and a Risk Assessment, are available for download (see below), and a list of ‘qualified’ staff is available for inspection upon request.
To download the Rulebook & Constitution, click here. (50KB PDF file, requires Adobe Reader)
To download a copy of the Risk Assessment, click here. (20KB PDF file, requires Adobe Reader)
Before we can accept a booking with our portable track, we need to see where the railway is to be set up. Our considerations will cover level and hardness of ground (essential), length of track, area to be roped off, and access to the site for staff and passengers, and for vehicular access. At this time, we will also agree to which Fares Option and the values to be deployed.
We will require compensation if our basic costs are not met (when we take fares) or if an event is cancelled after we have set out on the day, even if said cancellation is because of the weather. We will usually contact the organiser by phone first to make sure, if the weather looks doubtful. However, we cannot commit to paying compensation if we are unable to function due to circumstances beyond our control, but we will of course, return any deposits or other advance payments.
With regards to operation safety:
All passengers must be properly seated on the train and the LRT reserves the right to not carry those who cannot be so seated.
Unruly persons shall be requested to leave the railway by a senior member of staff especially if our property and equipment is being interfered with or whose behaviour constitutes a risk to the safety of other persons and is likely to cause injury or material damage.
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate operations if safety or security conditions are not of a satisfactory standard.
We shall provide a First Aid Kit for the benefit of our staff, but we shall expect the event organiser to arrange all Third Party needs in this respect.
The LRT has a no-smoking policy, and we urge our hosts to ensure that none of our operators or passengers are subjected to passive smoking insofar as it is practicable to do so. Our operators reserve the right to protect their own health, and services may have to be suspended if they wish to leave the area for this reason.
The LRT is insured against third party risks; details upon application.
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