RTC 'The High Peak Explorer: 17/03/18

I will admit to being a little dim witted so perhaps you could explain the humour you were trying to convey in your remarks about buying a class 8 because it was lost on me. I mistakenly thought you were attempting a heavy handed sarcastic put down that bore no relevance to the subject at hand ........ hope you can see it was an easy error on my part, even with the emoji?

 

I would refer you to your post #46, specifically "that's me done now.,...promise"

 

Well it would be very bad manners indeed not to respond to a post directed specifically to me, now wouldn't it?
On the general topic I comment no more so unless someone quotes me I shall keep schtum. Over to you.

 

Certainly not a put down, but more of a jibe perhaps, and the smiley was there to take some of the sting out of it, or, 'heavy handedness' if you will - a jibe one throws at the conclusion of a conversation that would no doubt be appreciated more readily in a face-to-face situation. Of course, there was a message in my post, born of frustration, and possibly not entirely relevant to the specific subject at hand, more a reaction to the continuing vibe of your body of work concerning TOCs. (Did someone mention "drums banging"?!!)

Perhaps, in the spirit of the season I really should have gone back to the 'well of patience' just one more time. And in an effort to reclaim some of that spirit, maybe I'll 'see' you in....February?!! *


*double-headed smiley - diesel emoji not required....

 

Thanks for the lengthy response, glad you can see how I misconstrued your intent, motivated as it seems by a long standing perception of the comments I make.
As it happens, a proper reading of my comments both here and elswhere will reveal a theme concentrated principally on the fairness and reasonableness of advertised / provided services - nothing to do with TOCs as you allude. I'm afraid you seem to have been swept up by the little tribe that seems to believe they know background to which my opinions can be ascribed, specifically in relation to WC. Obviously perception is everything but I can state with absolute certainty such criticism as I may make is rarely directed at WC nor any of its employees and I have no "history" either with the business or staff. The truth is, as any objective assessment would reveal, that I am "pro purchaser" as opposed to "anti TOC".
As I have mentioned before, in my view UKRT sets the current benchmark whilst WC, Statesman and VT offer excellent value too. The early signs from Saphos seem promising too. RTC and SD seem more like premium mediocre to me.
Hopefully, this clarifies once and for all my standpoint such that the thankfully small number of individuals that feel compelled to take issue with the nature of my posts, or berate the purpose rather than argue with the substance, will dial down the noise. Also worth noting there are a far greater number of NP topics where our paths will never cross should anyone wish to avoid my boring missives.

 

I could take the time to respond but I just can't be bothered with it anymore. Enjoy your fantasy world.

 

Well I'd just like to say that without Nigel Dobbing and RTC, I don't know where we would have been over the last few years. They have consistently tried to provide a mix which is distinctive and different from other operators both in terms of routes, locomotives and, in the case of the Great Britain, sheer ambition. So well done!

Who else would have tried to run the Wansbeck and all the other one-offs? Of course it is difficult when you have separation between the marketing company, the TOC and the infrastructure provider. Maybe VT and Saphos are showing that the market is trending away from that model. Maybe the likes of the High Peak Explorer are falling into the 'too difficult, too much hassle' category.

I've spent a few bob with RTC, had one or two postponements and things go wrong, but the positives far outweigh the negatives. I'm not commenting on SD one way or the other because I've never been in the right place to use them.

 

You did respond, suitably and sufficiently, thanks. ☺

 

An SD trip is listed for the same day using a Carnforth pool loco in the fells which I suppose will affect the loco options that day.

 

This tour is now rostered to be worked by 45407 (disguised at 45157 The Glasgow Highlander) & 45690 Leander. Certainly looking forward to this trip and im booked to travel on it as following my last trip to Buxton with 76084 im hoping this trip is just as good.

 

Rubbish times indeed. 06.25 from Preston to arrive in Buxton to forecast temperatures of -1 or -2 with a northeast wind gusting to 40 mph; Mrs W said that anyone who goes on that "needs their head examining" - I'm on it!

 

Funny how so many tours these days make a CME from Euston look like a short day out!

 

Plus point of the Buxton layover being before the Hindlow venture is the loco's should be turned and smokebox facing for the climb.

 

Well it wouldn't be Buxton in March without snow, would it? I'm there visiting family but I don't think I'll be hanging around the town between arrival up Ashwood Dale and the Hindlow leg!

 

Me too ! Although I don't think you'll recognise me in my Polar gear...

 

This requires a 4am start from across the Pennines and an hour kicking my heels in the centre of Manchester until departure. Things we do for rare track!

 

Likewise as Miles p will be the place to go