Steam Dreams 2017

It was still advertised last week quoting 6201 & I was thinking of either booking or asking for a part fare for the outward only. However knowing the impossibility of 6201 working for many weeks now it rather dissuaded me (though I would have done so if 35018 was the alternative).

 

http://www.steamdreams.co.uk/Execut...r=71898&Route=1&Adults=2&Children=0&Infants=0 Seems to say it's one day.

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It does seem to have vanished from existence. It's not on the website at all anymore. Could be a number of factors; not booking well, lack of any suitable locomotives (35018 unavailable, the depressing situation with 6201), lack of resourses due to the other trips in operation at the time?

 

This page still says it's a 3 night mid summer break in South Devon. However, it says refer to booking office for all classes and booking is unavailable online.

 

That usually means it is cancelled or postponed.

 

You can't help feeling sorry for Marcus considering his Southern roots. The 50th anniversary of the end of the ACE had to bite the dust, I seem to remember and now this multi-day railtour to mark the significant 50th anniversary of the end of Southern Steam looks to have gone the same way. I was wondering what alternatives he could have fallen back on given 6201's problems and 35018 not being ready in time. Hardly any locos sprang to mind, so, sadly. no surprise it looks like it's been cancelled.

 

Agreed. The current malaise began with the DBS resource issue that prompted the switch to WC which has subsequently been beset by difficulties of its own. Result misery.

 

So true, and with the WCRC exit from Southall, it's unlikely to get better. Given that DBC seem to be taking on a significantly increased amount of steam work, I wonder if SD would ever consider a switch back?

 

Many of their issues would never have arisen if WCRC had accepted one of the very best, most available and reliable locomotives, with a seriously good route availability open to it to boot onto their books.

 

Sadly Al that's true and why I haven't booked with them of a long time now.

 

I'm with you both, Al and Don. I wish SD well, but no, not for me either as things stand. It's a pity as there are what, on the face of it, appear to be some good trips on offer. The Duchess to Salisbury on 23rd September, with North Kent & Bromley pick-ups would be very tempting if one could be sure that it's diesel-free, likewise 45305 to Canterbury West (27th July) and again on 11th November would be decent length trips to interesting destinations that could be boarded from somewhere not too far from my home. Sadly, I think that the only chance of 100% steam (well, 99.5%, you've got to have a shove up Grosvenor Bank, but we can live with that) to anywhere like Canterbury will be Clan Line's run with the British Pullman on 13th September, unless the Hosking set-up come up with a few surprises. Unfortunately, the "travel with us" page of their website has been informing us that details will be announced "next month" since the middle of January if not earlier!

 

It's the frequency of cancellations/re-scheduling that put me off booking through SD. I've travelled with VT, RTC and UKRT but never Steam Dreams. They do seem to cancel or re-schedule tours more often than the others, which has always put me off booking the few they do that visit my area.

 

A company run by an enthusiast must know what enthusiasts want. And that is unassisted steam.

 

Just received an email advising Galatea for the next 2 trips and it mentions for the Bath and Gloucester trip." It is currently planned for Galatea to run unassisted, without a diesel locomotive attached to the front or rear of the train".

 

It looks like SD have capitulated to popular demand, 'Galatea' to haul the next two CathEx tours, and get this, the March 21st she will run to Bath and Bristol with NO diesel assistance, front or back.

 

Same email states that 60009 will be in charge of white horses lunch time tour and London to Windsor evening train on July 18 and running Paddington Weymouth on 23rd July.

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A leaf out of RTCs new book?

 

Pricing is a bit odd. The 18 July lunchtime trip is a bit cheaper than the all-day trips, as one would expect, but the difference between premier dining and first class non-dining, i.e. the extra you pay for being fed, is £60 on the shorter trip and £50 on the longer ones.