Steam Dreams 2016

Yes some interesting tours, but not remotely interested in booking any of them if there's going to be a diesel in the formation on the steam legs that's not declared at the outset.

Got lucky with my only SD trip this year with 61306 Vic - Bri June, late booking based on gen on here.

Would book many more if I had an ounce of confidence we would not be shoved around all day.

Will suggest to SD and RTC that they run a few trips for dedicated enthusiasts on basis trip will be postponed if can't run with steam for whatever reason until they can. Willing to pay premium for guaranteed steam trip.

Sean

 

You could well be right there Robbo. That would make the steam load 13. We've been musing down here about how the changeover will take place. For diesel off and steam and support on you'd surely have to use Swindon Yard. Where would you find paths to release a diesel out of Challow loop and then reverse Lizzie and Support coach in 'wrong road' on a weekday?

 

With you all the way on that Sean. Perhaps the newly reformed Hertfordshire Railtours will do a bit more steam in 2016.

 

Oh well, another one to give a miss.

 

That was based on it going to Swansea where a diesel would be needed. I doubt an early departure slot for steam on a weekday from Paddington, for a trip all the way to Swansea would have been available. The Uk Steam website has not yet been updated to reflect the change of desintation, and neither has the Steam Dreams website, which currently states refer to booking office on the booking page for this trip and the York trip.

 

Not a promising sign.

 

Ralph,
I seem to recall you saying that the profits on first dining coach were similar to those on standard coach. If so then you wouldn't have to charge £200 a seat to replace the first dining element as there would be no catering costs involved.

 

With the top price individual ticket being £199 on the Feb 6th CME, I can't see how an all standard train would need to generate £200 a head to bring in the same profits. Must be missing something here.

 

Yeah I noticed that as well, hopefully it will fit but also have reservations about gauging Lizzie. Maybe the Bluebell will provide a loco to haul it up to East Grinstead again like they did earlier this year if she doesn't.

I'm interested in seeing what will haul the trip on July 9th as RTC have 34046 and one of 34067/35018 down for their tour on the same day.

 

It depends on one's priorities. I have no interest in photographing from a train, and timing and recording is taken care of by my smartphone. That leaves plenty of time for dining and drinking. Bearing in mind the longeurs involved in so many excursions these days, one often is in need of a distraction. I haven't travelled other than dining class for the last five years.

 

Oh my word. You'll be telling us next you know which knife and fork to use when there is more than one set at your dinner place on the train.

 

One would not expect a Yeti to have any manners.

 

Quite right. So no one ever brave enough to eat with me is ever disappointed. They know what to expect when the grub guzzling starts.

 

SD website has been updated and no longer says 'refer to booking office'. Also 1st March trip updated to reflect change of destination, plus no longer mentions steam going on at Challow (but doesn't say it is steam throughout either).

 

Website has been updated "this trip will be steam hauled between West London and Worcester in both directions".

 

The now-cancelled 17 April trip was to have been Paddington to Salisbury via Bicester. The website now shows a Paddington to Salisbury trip on 21 May (with an extra trip round Hampshire from Salisbury) but I can't see any indication of the route. GWML - Reading - Basingstoke? GWML - Reading - Westbury? Or could it be the one via Bicester on a new date?