RTC 2021

Cheers for the replies. If only 45596 could head South a month sooner... [/dreaming]

 

R.T.C. tour 2021 the Tynesider now been pulled due to this train been hauled having less coaches on and thus meaning social distancing cant be carried out as R.T.C. staff wish in a safe manner for passengers on this tour, bit of a disappointment for passengers going on this tour looking to do the rare bit of track from Cleethorpes on the ex M.S.L.R. and Ashington and blyth lines which steam hauled tours have travelled over on rare occasions I preservation I hope no more R.T.C. tours bite the dust cos of the covid S.D.
2 metre rule.
Davo 56F

 

Do you think it won't run next year?

 

I think that what the OP meant to say was that, with SD still in force, the maximum length of train possible would not allow sufficient 'bums on seats' to cover the costs of running the train at this time.

 

Is the accelerated Azuma timetable now in force, or going to be (assuming they get the cracks sorted), so times getting from start to 75mph are at a premium.

And if a tail gunner is required, to stay in path, it surely reduces the no of paying rolling stock items, making it unviable.

I now wonder about our booking on June 19th to Edinburgh behind Tornado.

It is already a 4 and a half hour stagger from Durham to Edinburgh, and Covid precautions are in place 2 days before they are lifted??

 

Just received via email within the last few minutes, confirmation from RTC of a link-up with the Bahamas Society that will result in 45596 hauling four of their day trips late July/ early August. These will include the Royal Duchy on 1st August (Taunton- Par leg), as well as the Kentish Belle on 22nd July, West Somerset Steam Express 24th July, and Dorset Coast Express 5th August.

By rare but extreme good fortune, I have recently switched a couple of bookings with RTC from Saturday outings over this period, which I can no longer join, to the Thursday outings to Kent and Weymouth. RTC say that there are still spaces available on these tours, so I imagine that there will be a flurry of interest around these trips.

I hope this news will make someone else's day as well!!

 

I've just received an e-mail from RTC saying that 45596 will be working four tours n the south of England in July and August - the Kentish Belle on 22nd July, the West Somerset Steam Express two days later, a Royal Duchy on 1st August and a Dorset Coast Express on Thursday 5th August. The latter sounds very appealing, particularly if the return Weymouth-Southampton leg is hauled by 31806 as advertised. Mind you, I'd hope they will all sell well. Bahamas certainly won itself a few new friends during its visit to the Watercress Line last year.

I have to say that a "Jube" in Kent is a bit of a surprise. They did work to Sussex in the 1960s but tended to be impounded on arrival at Brighton due to clearance concerns. Kent is even worse for tight restrictions but I guess that BLS and RTC must have checked the gauging first before advertising the trip.

Whoops! Where's Mazeppa beat me to it by about five minutea.

 

Yes, just got that email too. I'm booked on the 24th July West Somerset trip, postponed from last year. We were looking forward to 6233, but 45596 is a worthy replacement, of course. the last time I had a 5XP on the main line was in 1976 - Leander, on a Liverpool to Scarborough trip. (She did Guide Bridge to Sheffield Midland, then we had Evening Star from York to Scarborough. Same locos on the return trip).

Mark

 

1st August on Royal Duchy according to email received from RTC today.

 

You never know when you dream .................................

Bahamas 2021 railtours, both Steam Dreams and the Railway Touring Company have announced their programs taking Bahamas to some new and exciting destinations !!!

 

Is the Scarborough Flyer this Saturday still going ahead? No times on RTT as of yet.

 

Cancelled, according to Railway Herald.

 

No it’s not. The RTC Scarborough Flyer is still showing as running.

 

It is Vintage Trains 'Scarborough Spa Express' listed as cancelled on Railway Herald, not the RTC Flyer.

 

Sold out with waiting list according to the RTC web page, approx. departure Man Vic 08.00