Vintage Trains 2016/17 Tours

This came by Email from VT early today:

Dear Friends and Passengers,

We hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

In January, we usually send or email you the annual tour brochure detailing our exciting railtours for the forthcoming year. This year, we have decided to delay its distribution for a few weeks.

You may be aware from recent articles in the press that the ORR (Office of Road & Rail) are reviewing West Coast Railways’ licence to operate trains, both steam and diesel. Vintage Trains is reliant on West Coast Railways to operarte trains on our behalf. Until we know the outcome of this matter we think that it would not be right to accept any further bookings on our railtours until we are confident we are able to operate them.

One immediate casualty of this situation is the Valentines Express scheduled for Saturday 13th February. Given the current timetable of the ORR’s review, with no resolution expected before the end of January, we believe it would not be correct to continue to offer this train for sale. We are in the process of refunding all the bookings on this train, with the hope that the passengers will have plenty of time to make alternate plans for Valentine Day celebrations. Please accept our most sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Additionally, at present we are accepting no further bookings on our other advertised trains, the Red Dragon - 12th March, Cumbrian Mountaineer - 19th March and the Moonraker - 9th April. We hope the situation with West Coast Railways is resolved in time to operate these trains, but should you wish to cancel your booking and make alternate arrangements, please either telephone the Vintage Trains Booking Office on 0121-708-4960 or email: tickets@VintageTrains.co.uk and we will arrange for an immediate credit note or refund.

Below is a provisional list of the trains we plan to run in 2016. Although we cannot accept bookings at this time, we hope you will pencil the dates into your diary so that when we can commit to running these trains, you will be free to travel with us.

We plan to write to you again in February, hopefully with better news and to let you know which trains we will be able to run.

We would also like to take this opportunity to announce an exclusive behind the scenes day with us at Tyseley in the spring. As soon as we have dates and details finalised, we send you further information.

We will endeavour to keep you updated on future developments and look forward to welcoming you aboard a Vintage Trains railtour in the near future.

Sincerely

Ben Mason for Vintage Trains

 

I have received an email from Tyseley stating that they will not be accepting any booking until there is a clear way forward with West Coast. In addition they are cancelling and refunding the Feb 13th Valentine's run.

I think a very positive and pragmatic approach.

 

Just had an email, which looks genuine, from Vintage Trains, in which they say they are cancelling [their Valentines] tour, refunding money and not accepting new bookings on other tours until the West Coast situation is clarified.

 

Yes I have received this too:
"Dear Friends and Passengers,
We hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
In January, we usually send or email you the annual tour brochure detailing our exciting railtours for the forthcoming year. This year, we have decided to delay its distribution for a few weeks.
You may be aware from recent articles in the press that the ORR (Office of Road & Rail) are reviewing West Coast Railways’ licence to operate trains, both steam and diesel. Vintage Trains is reliant on West Coast Railways to operarte trains on our behalf. Until we know the outcome of this matter we think that it would not be right to accept any further bookings on our railtours until we are confident we are able to operate them.
One immediate casualty of this situation is the Valentines Express scheduled for Saturday 13th February. Given the current timetable of the ORR’s review, with no resolution expected before the end of January, we believe it would not be correct to continue to offer this train for sale. We are in the process of refunding all the bookings on this train, with the hope that the passengers will have plenty of time to make alternate plans for Valentine Day celebrations. Please accept our most sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Additionally, at present we are accepting no further bookings on our other advertised trains, the Red Dragon - 12th March, Cumbrian Mountaineer - 19th March and the Moonraker - 9th April. We hope the situation with West Coast Railways is resolved in time to operate these trains, but should you wish to cancel your booking and make alternate arrangements, please either telephone the Vintage Trains Booking Office on 0121-708-4960 or email: tickets@VintageTrains.co.uk and we will arrange for an immediate credit note or refund.
Below is a provisional list of the trains we plan to run in 2016. Although we cannot accept bookings at this time, we hope you will pencil the dates into your diary so that when we can commit to running these trains, you will be free to travel with us.
We plan to write to you again in February, hopefully with better news and to let you know which trains we will be able to run.
We would also like to take this opportunity to announce an exclusive behind the scenes day with us at Tyseley in the spring. As soon as we have dates and details finalised, we send you further information.
We will endeavour to keep you updated on future developments and look forward to welcoming you aboard a Vintage Trains railtour in the near future.
Sincerely
Ben Mason for Vintage Trains"

 

Exactly the sort of professional approach you'd expect from VT to be honest.

 

And indicative of how perilously uncertain things are. Commendably sensible by VT, putting customers first and enhancing its reputation by so doing.

 

An Interesting approach from VT, unlike RTC & Steam dreams, who see it as business as usual, despite the ongoing legal matter. For me, it felt like VT are not too confident of WCR, retaining their license. Here's hoping I'm way off the mark.

 

Such a pity VT are not a TOC

 

Here's hoping *they're* way off the mark...

 

Get a grip ! I was typing on my phone.

 

All credit to VT. Setting an industry standard of openness, transparency and customer focus that some others could do well to emulate. Carrying on as though nothing is going on in the background can only lead to potential problems for others. I know what VT tours I want to do and will be ready if the news is good.

 

So what have they heard from the ickle lickle birdie?

I've been pondering on lashing out on a better video camera, think i'll forgoe that for the time being, might even have to get a part time job to pass the time & maybe lease myself that Jaguar HF sport brake with the money.

 

Interesting quote

Ben Mason, of Vintage Trains, said “Until the investigation is concluded, West Coast Railways is on a self-imposed suspension.

“They are still allowed to run trains at this time but they have chosen not to"

 

So who is running this weekends WCME?

 

Crikey. So what happens if West Coast loses their license and cannot run steam? 2016 and beyond could prove very bleak for mainline steam. I really thought that all issues with ORR had been resolved last year but this is clearly not the case. We can only................

 

Maybe WC has temporarily scaled its steam Ops back to northern England?