Railway Touring Company's 2017 Programme

Might as well make a start with next year. 60103's summer programme is now up, with around 25pc increase on this year's prices. It just underlines the fact that we've generally had a good few years of reasonably priced trips. It remains to be seen whether this is due to the 'Scotsman' factor, or reflects a further increase for other day trips. Time will tell.

 

There's still more to come from RTC. The winter CME programme wa announced a while back, but the Scotsman trains are the only other addition to the 2017 programme so far apart from the postponed Three Bridges-Bath-Bristol train, which was put back from December to 18th March.

Pure speculation, but I do wonder whether RTC is waiting for more definite news of 35018 before posting anything else for the first half of 2017.

 

April was mentioned on the SSE, so that might figure why April and May have nothing at the moment. I also understand that the rest of the Spring programme will be made public in the next week or so- will be interesting to see what the prices are like.

 

Good to see the Waverley's back to their original format with steam all the way from York, and also good to see a Tyne Valley variation in the Hadrian tour.

Lot's of crossed fingers that the hoped for re-opening of the S&C of March 2017 can be met.

 

CCEs apart from the first train John. Wonder what they will turn out to be as it doesn't look like their Scot will be able to run and the Jubes are banned on the northern section around the coast.

 

This looks sensible for RTC to ensure there are locos to operate services in 2017. This year has been blighted by the absence/failures of high powered steam locos. I hope that 2017 is a huge step in restoring confidence in the heritage rail tour business with more and appropriate locos on the roster, loading to match the motive power and where required diesels on shadow paths.

 

Sorry, my mistake. I read "Cumbrian" on the website and didn't look further as the steam hauled section of these trains are a very long way from my home - too far away to travel on, unfortunately.

Anyway, we will hopefully knowwhat else RTC has on offer in he first half of 2017 before long. A few years back, the company seemed to be considering more short-haul trains (i.e., to destinations less than 100 miles from London), but there haven't been many of these recently. Pity that Salisbury and Canterbury seem so out of favour these days. I guess the RTC and other operators do their research thoroughly and what seems like the optimum length trip in my amateur opinion has proven to be a bit too short for the bulk of their clientele.

 

45212 / 46100 / 61306 / 70013 possibilities?

 

I understand some work was done on Leander so it is now in gauge for the coast,It was the dreaded "paperwork issue"which prevented the southbound run recently,it came back over Shap instead

 

61306
Not due back until next March and first trip likely to be 18/3 for SD, according to one of the magazines.

 

If that is the case, and Leander is booked to haul some with a load that allows it unassisted over Shap, would consider going on one.

 

That's the big problem. Winter CMEs generally book 11+POB and that's well over the limit for a Class 6 over Shap northbound. Will book if RTC/WCRC guarantee no diesel - but will they?

 

I think that many of us remember or forget that back in 2012 on February 4, Black 5 45305 unnasisted did take an 11 car consist over S&C northbound and Shap southbound in blustery winter conditions.

 

First WCME of the year now advertised as 45690 solo Manchester - Carlisle - Carnforth out via Coast and back via shap with diesel back to Victoria

http://www.railwaytouring.net/uk-day-trips/the-winter-cumbrian-mountain-express

 

Wondered if this might be 45212s debut, possibly paired with 76084 too but looks like not to be. At least there has been an early indication of the plan but sadly it looks probable a diesel will now be required.

 

Nope, the first we knew that RTC had 'Dropped us' from this jobby was when I enquired if Leander was available to double head with 45212, thats when we found out that it was to be Leander on its own..........

 

Serious error of judgement by RTC there, hopefully time to reconsider and do the right thing.

 

Interesting times in the marketing of steam on the main line. We have the SSE and Lune Rivers Trust at around £40 for a day out, the Fellsman at £80, and the more ambitious days marketed by such as RTC at £109-129 per adult standard class ticket. Then of course there are the multi-day tours priced above that. You would have hoped the fare hikes of the last two years gave enough margin for double heading if required and resources available. Pairing up a Jubilee and a Black Five seems like a good solution on the busy sections of the network if class 7 or 8 power is not available.