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'The Royal Duchy' - 30/08/20

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by JBTEvans, Aug 23, 2020.

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  1. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    6233 may well have been the rostered loco but I'm sure that you are aware there are many variables as to why last minute changes happen.
     
    RalphW, Aug 30, 2020
    #61
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  2. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    A while back I was on a RTC trip where the route was approved for a particular loco and after a late change of motive power the route also had to be changed because the new motive power could not be gauged in time and had to use a route for which gauging existed.

    So @RalphW is correct. When everything goes to plan it is fine but there is so much that can change between planning and the event. That said, what organisers are far too coy about is being up front about what the implications of any changes might be so people can have the option of pulling out. We all know why but that behaviour is in nobody's interest.
     
    Big Al, Aug 31, 2020
    #62
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  3. bobsungod

    bobsungod Member

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    In some glorious late evening light 44871 takes Hemerdon in its stride 253A0121.jpg
     
    bobsungod, Aug 31, 2020
    #63
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  4. Western Venturer

    Western Venturer Well-Known Member

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    Another good day on the lineside in 2020..
    Heres my video of the day.. Lovely weather and a nice break at Buckfastleigh between the outward and return so all in all an excellent day!!

     
    Western Venturer, Aug 31, 2020
    #64
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  5. 30567

    30567 Part of the furniture Friend

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    It seems to me there are two models. The predominant one is where the organiser promises a steam trip, possibly naming a particular loco or possibly one from a pool, but the deal is that stuff happens and you might end up with a different loco and a diesel on the back. That deal (pre-covid) costs pretty much £99 for standard for an all day trip like the Royal Duchy. Where I'm doubtful is if you can ever make money on that deal with only eight revenue coaches.

    The other one is where the organiser offers a package--- an eight coach train, pretty much a guaranteed loco (subject to last minute FTR etc), a separate diesel path, a first class rake of coaches, no standard class. Looking at the GB 14, the optional day out on that basis is £199. So I'd say that's some sort of pre-covid measure of the premium to guarantee what the steam enthusiast like people here including me ideally want. That's a minimum because in the case of the GB 14, the train is organised, the people are there, and the optional day is an add-on.

    Let's just hope and pray we can have something like these options in the post-covid world.
     
    30567, Aug 31, 2020
    #65
  6. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    Interesting thoughts and we expected a 'Covid-19' premium to be added as we're talking about less than 50% of seat availability with no mitigation like full height screens between each row of seats. What level could you set it at though when so many potential passengers are probably short of money due to furloughing and job insecurity? There's also the issue of long prebookings like we often make, 6 months in advance, sometimes longer if an offer comes around. Would promoters be able to refund all monies and start again? Not an easy situation for promoters to be in.
    The train length would, as you say, probably have to be based on the Class of locomotive likely to be available. Playing safe would say use a Class 5. Would expect the premium to be 50% or slightly more.
     
    1020 Shireman, Aug 31, 2020
    #66
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  7. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    You are spot on with that comment, in my view.

    For some time now I have negotiated with a very flexible RTC on their GB trips ranging from the whole package to a one or two day 'train only' package plus all the other options in between. They have been brilliant in that regard and it was all made possible by the person who how runs the set up. What I could never work out was why the day trip within a GB tour came out far more expensive and kind of cost that @30567 has suggested. And then I did the maths.

    It's like a day trip except that you also pay for the extra staff (West Coast and RTC), their accommodation and associated costs plus the additional paths for the diesel and other loco/stock movements. There is also the fact that it is not a long train so should a Class 5 be used then it can handle the train without help. That all adds up.

    The sooner we move to 'Model 2' the better, in my view. We have come to live with 'shoestring' trips for too long and need to get real about the proper cost of running a charter.
     
    Big Al, Aug 31, 2020
    #67
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  8. GC Met

    GC Met New Member

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    Two clips at Hemerdon, one at Tiverton Parkway and one Pughams Farm . Did the 47 ease off on the shoving at Hemerdon ? It looked to me that it might have done .
     
    GC Met, Aug 31, 2020
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  9. Swiss Toni

    Swiss Toni Well-Known Member

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    Hells teeth, that second clip was close........I ducked out of the way! :Nailbiting:
     
    Swiss Toni, Aug 31, 2020
    #69
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  10. Western Venturer

    Western Venturer Well-Known Member

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    I was standing on a wall with the road behind me then there was a wooden fence between me and the line so I was right side of fence but for sure it was frightening at that speed.. I was really hoping for a slow slog up there which would have been great but with the 47 shoving like mad it flew up there as you can see...
     
    Western Venturer, Aug 31, 2020
    #70
  11. Tom Adams

    Tom Adams New Member

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    Last edited: Aug 31, 2020
    Tom Adams, Aug 31, 2020
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  12. 30567

    30567 Part of the furniture Friend

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    I think it needs a combination of both. My better half thinks £100 to go to Carlisle in four hours when you could do it for £20 in two and a half is not shoestring. (Yes I know). The trouble comes when people think they have paid for model 2 but it turns out to be model 1. But then again the bulk of the trip advisor comments are nothing to do with this aspect. The main market is not pure steam buffs, we are just lucky the main market exists to support our interest.
     
    30567, Aug 31, 2020
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  13. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Totally agree. And, for those of us living in the real world, where disposable income seems to be increasingly limited, a 50% mark up would be immediately curtains for our hobby.
     
    acorb, Aug 31, 2020
    #73
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  14. No.7

    No.7 Well-Known Member

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    Huish, Beambridge, Exminster, Rattery, Plymouth, Hemerdon, Cockwood, Tiverton & Flax Bourton. Half the family on the train, the other half filming produced:
     
    No.7, Aug 31, 2020
    #74
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  15. Western Venturer

    Western Venturer Well-Known Member

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    Great coverage of the run...
    I was on the other platform and saw you dash off after the train had gone.. I wondered where you were going to go..now I know!!
     
    Western Venturer, Aug 31, 2020
    #75
  16. AnthonyTrains2017

    AnthonyTrains2017 Well-Known Member

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    Amazing shot
     
    AnthonyTrains2017, Aug 31, 2020
    #76
  17. bobsungod

    bobsungod Member

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    Thank you
     
    bobsungod, Aug 31, 2020
    #77
  18. No.7

    No.7 Well-Known Member

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    Ah, that was my son who was chasing the train, I was on board! Tiverton turned out to be a good choice, the loco was opened-out just before the station.

    Interesting thing about Hemerdon was the diesel was wound back as we approached the summit of the 1 in 42 and boy the speed dropped like a stone! You can see it in the video(s) and also 44871 being given another turn on the reverser, playing to the gallery? Made a great spectacle!

    The other thing to say is how noticeable it was running Taunton-Bristol with a 60 mph loco when you're used to 75 mph, everything seemed to take an age. Not a complaint just a comment!
     
    No.7, Aug 31, 2020
    #78
  19. Western Venturer

    Western Venturer Well-Known Member

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    Oh sorry, still great footage though...
     
    Western Venturer, Aug 31, 2020
    #79
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  20. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

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    The problem is the majority of passengers aren’t enthusiasts
     
    gricerdon, Sep 1, 2020
    #80
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