Steam Dreams 2016

Times for 6201 on 5th Oct to Gloucester:
http://www.steamdreams.com/executables/GT410WebContent.exe?ActionCode=Timings

 

And magically avoiding Gloucester completely - how imaginative

I think you meant Euston Carlisle Cumbrian. Coast and return


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Hit the tab for the Gloucester train at the top of the timings and you will see it

 

Hi

There are two trips shown, next to the Carlisle trip is the link to the Gloucester trip.

Cheers

M

 

Ah thank you - my apologies


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Still be light enough on the climb to sapperton

 

Snap, although we have made 2 trips with them this year. One a dieselled trip to Bath in the spring and a Scotsman evening circular. The only trips we tend to consider these days from them are circulars or one of teh trips from Horsham with an Epsom/Cheam pickup, anything else takes too long a day. We are Steam Dreams stalwarts, and have been using them since the MHR days.

Vintage Trains and UK Railtours tend to take most of our custom these days.

 

Agreed. We were one of their earliest customers but haven't bothered for some years now. Big Al says most of it. They haven't been the same since GB left. I MAY consider the Kent Circular if there is no DL involved as with DH 5s there needn't be. Otherwise another year goes by without me booking. Vintage, UKR and even RTC (who have improved in recent times) are all far better.

 

Al, I think your critique is very fair and balanced. Main line steam owes a lot to Marcus. He brought his considerable business acumen to bear and has played his part in changing the product considerably - and in the expansion which has taken place in recent years. No longer is a typical main line steam train largely full of hard-core enthusiasts and consisting of a buffet car, 9 second class Mk 1s, one first class and a support coach. I exaggerate slightly, but by building up the dining and non-enthusiast clientele, the net result is more trains running, which means more income for loco owners - a good thing.

On the other hand, I agree 100% with the more negative points raised by Al, Don and Phil. The early days of the Cathedrals Express were great. The original Canterbury and Salisbury trips were just right length-wise. Green coaches, usually a Bulleid or the superb 73096 at the front and no rear gunner on the back. Definitely downhill in recent years. Obviously, Marcus has a business to run and that's the bottom line, but I haven't travelled with SD since 2011. I feel sad about this given all that Marcus has done, but the product just isn't appealing any more.

 

I totally agree with all of the recent comments on here. My Dad and I were customers right from the beginning of the company. The best years were with the MHR fleet of the Std 5 and the Bulleids. They reached a peak with the regular use of 60163 and 35028 and with the great work done behind the scenes by Graeme Bunker. Once the connection with 60163 and GB was severed things rapidly went downhill. The occasion it really hit home that they had changed for the worse was when two ladies sat with us had ordered a packet of crisps. When the member of staff asked for the money the two women couldn't believe the price and replied "we want one packet not a box full!" The day didn't get any better when the steam Loco was hauled by a diesel due to fire risk. However, on the train we were told that the train was being steam hauled! The two ladies were not impressed when they discovered a diesel stuck on the front of Tornado at Lincoln. They told us that they would not travel with SD again as they had booked for a trip with steam only.
When the SD brochures arrive in the post these days I have a quick flick through, have a laugh at the "Magical days out with steam" slogan on the front cover and then see "this trip will be diesel hauled between ***** and *****" on most of the pages. The brochure then ends up in the recycling bin.

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In their Ts & Cs on page 38 of their latest brochure they state that "Occasionally Diesel assistance may be used". I think that this is grossly misleading as statistical analysis of this years trains shows Diesel assistance on over 90% of their tours. I feel that this is actually a dishonest statement.

Again I was a regular customer in their early days but would not ever considering travelling with them now. I'd rather have my savings managed by Bernie Madoff!

 

One currently unknown factor which may cause a big shake-up not just for SD for main line steam in general will be the future plan for Icons of Steam. A rake of stock has already been assembled (and the late Mk II stock may possibly be replaced by Mk Is over a period of time) but no programme has yet been announced as yet. Will the Hosking set-up create its own TOC? Will the trains be marketed through UK Railtours? Or perhaps under their own banner taking Vintage Trains as a template? Whatever, if a new player appears on the scene running about 20-30 trains a year with no diesel on the back, and shorter days more like the original SD formula, it will be interesting how other operators react.

 

The motive power for a number of trips next year previously listed for Mayflower or Britannia has changed to Braunton, Royal Scot, Duchess of Sutherland or just states Steam hauled.

 

News today Statesman Rail acquired as a going concern by the LSL group. Interim arrangements unchanged with WC as TOC as well as some of the coaches being serviced at Carnforth. Fellsmans to use 10A pool but far fewer trips in number. The report also points out there is only one part of a self sufficient operation now missing......
Interesting times!

 

I heard that earlier, but not any detail - had heard it as a rumour months ago, so being a rumour, put it to the back of the brain cell!

 

also Princess Elizabeth has been removed from a lot of march April trips, any reasons why?

 

I believe it is due to have some further work done which was deferred from the overhaul.

 

Last week's Railway herald mentioned winter maintenance including a retube and tender tyre replacement amongst other things which will only start after 6233 is completed so the timescale will stretch into spring.