RTC 2021

Sharing some irony, I travelled between Exeter and Paignton a few weeks back and the GW 150 unit was rammed with many families joining at NA on a warm summer's day during the half term. Understandably there could be no attempt to restrict seating or numbers in any way and it was 'packed' to capacity, seats and standing.
The P&DSR at Paignton however was operating with seating restrictions which as with other HRs, is required of them.

 

They had a journalist from New York on the TV last week who was comparing the two approaches between NY and UK. Her summary was that in NY the authorities had consistently kept clear concise rules, that were cautious. If things were able to be opened up more it was a pleasant surprise, but the public (& businesses), were never disappointed. In England, the government has consistently made bold statements and targets that even they didn't know whether they could achieve, then hid behind small print if it wasn't possible. Alas, many people take headlines at face value, a dangerous thing to in this age of 'post truth' politics.
The old moral, 'it is better to under promise and over achieve, than over promise and under achieve'.
I do have sympathy with any business trying to rebuild, but it is a dangerous thing to do, to put faith in arbitrary dates put forward by this government - in the face of a virus that doesn't abide by rules.

 

This is a very good point. I am booked on an RTC trip in August. We are a family of 3 for which, I had assumed, we would be allocated an entire table. If a single stranger joins us, it will be a little awkward I would think.

 

It’s bloody difficult to adapt and change when those in charge don’t seem to know what to do from week to week! Trying to keep up to date and police regulations and advice that are ‘cautious and irreversible’ has been rather like dealing with a rather nasty case of hemarroids.

 

Difficult? Don't you mean impossible?

 

This is a clip from Railway Herald No. 730. As we haven't travelled on any of the tours, was there a survey on their trains?



I know there'll be a chorus of they're Jeremy Hosking's trainsets so he can afford it; but didn't Saphos put their prices up by £20 a seat in Standard and more in First and Dining? I'd be surprised if this was at least in part to mitigate the lower numbers of passengers. Surprisingly they are the only group that have raised prices.

 

Let’s say it’s given me, my colleagues and friends a few more grey hairs, and we don’t have to worry about 3rd party things like rolling stock, motive power, Network Rail etc. Why do we get involved with hospitality?

 

No Saphos trips for me this year then, or any other single traveller. I understand the concerns but there must be a sensible middle-ground somewhere.

 

Swanage Railway has the former Old Oak Common 70ft turntable built by Cowans & Sheldon.
I believe Hither Green's Ransomes & Rapier 65ft turntable was moved to the Rother Valley last year.

 

Just come back from Scarborough. Many thanks to WCR and the stewards for what felt like a safe experience for a cautious person (my first train trip of any kind for sixteen months). Pretty reasonable load in standard.

Alberta looked spectacular and Mr Cubitt is the master of timing his run crawling up to signals. Three times he did it today ; that must be my first non-stop steam run from Scarborough into York.

PS Not often you get to see a Jubilee, an A3 and an A1 all in one day. Bit of luck that!

 

Going back a couple of weeks, here's a brief shot of Flaying Scotsman with The Cotswold Venturer on 12th June, seen at Fawler nr Charlbury on the Old Worse & Worse:

 

Thanks for the correction. It's easy to get confused!

 

The West Somerset Steam Express on 24th July. There aren't any trains running to Minehead until October due to the delay with the level crossing just outside the station. So it will be interesting to see what happens with that RTC trip. The RTC website still says it's going to Minehead. Bus service from Dunster/Blue Anchor maybe?

 

They have been advertising Minehead as a steam hauled destination - something, according to WSR, that they can't deliver. WSR have said buses will be used.

 

Well with JJP at the helm of the WSR a bus replacement service shouldn't be a problem..

 

Unless, as has happened before, it breaks down. <BJ>

 

The realization that the Royal Duchy tour on Sunday July 11th is the same day as the Euro Championship final...methinks we'll be needing a power bank or two!!
Assume that the diesel will likely be on the back all day given the abridged steam haulage as well.