Vintage Trains - 2021

Blimey. Pubs must open early round your way. [/QUOTE]


I was asking if that was certain as 9466 is still on the website. Going to the pub sounds like a good idea

 

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere in the world...

 

RPS website advises the 50 TSR in the Severn Tunnel on the up was between 14m 60c and 13m 26c, so on the descent to the abyss!

Got email from VT advising the Lickey bankers will not now feature the pannier, 7029 and 46233 unassisted on load 7.

 

I have a few queries/requests re the VT York 15th December
Last week I booked a two person bubble and note on my Visa account that I have only been charged £99. Is this correct? That sounds like a single ticket yet I've relooked at the site and it seems I've filled all the right boxes. Also I have not received a confirmation email which I always get from them.

I would normally call them but option 1 (the booking line) has been a dead line for the last two days.

Has anyone out there any thoughts?

Neil

 

A tad concerning though that the phone is dead.

 

Interesting you got an email Sean. We have 4 booked on each train and haven't heard a thing.

 

I had a conversation with Vintage Trains yesterday after sending them an email. They have staff isolating awaiting results of covid tests so the office is not being staffed fully at the moment - recommended you drop them an email with your concerns as they are picking these up.

 

Thank you for this update; I've sent an email a little earlier especially reporting the apparent fault with the booking £ amounts. As soon as I hear I'll post on NP.

 

I have heard from VT and whilst the issue of the bill for one person on ordering table for 2 hasn't been discussed, all the other issues have. My computer died about 3 weeks ago and unbeknown to me my new one obtained this week defaulted to a gmail account which I very seldom use. So when filling a booking form the wrong email address went in and the confirmations etc. all went into the wrong account. I've apologised to VT. As regards the phone not working I have been advised by an NP contributor that VT is short of staff through Covid related issues.

 

It is quite depressing to think that we may not have further opportunities to ride behind a double chimney Castle over Sapperton, Shap, Ais Gill, Standedge, Copy Pit, or the Devon Banks without a diesel in the consist.

It does make me wonder exactly what advantages becoming a TOC has conferred on Vintage Trains. Its resources, both financially and in terms of physical assets are obviously quite limited in comparison to the other big players in the steam excursion market and this seems to have understandably led to VT becoming very risk averse.

My next booking with them is on the morning Lickey No Banker and we still await confirmation of whether or not a diesel will be tagging along for the shunt move at Worcester.

Nick M.

 

For excursions over the S&C surely the diesel can stay at Hellifield, so then its relatively close by. For Shap, couldn't WCR be used as a Thunderbird ? With the Devon Banks couldn't a Royal Duchy model be used, I'm assuming the cost of the additional LE paths on the Duchy are included in the fare ? I would be happy to pay additional 20-30 ? extra in standard to cover the cost.

 

I think that is the point being made - historically Vintage Trains could run over these routes unassisted as they used WCRC as TOC who had the standby locos nearby. Now it would appear that they cannot - what has been gained from the time and cost involved in becoming a TOC?

 

Martin,
Well of course, there can never be “no risk” to other operators, so no explanation is necessary!

It is precisely my point that in the past, it was possible for VT to operate unassisted steam on these routes thanks to the substantial resources of its former TOC. Those days are over, and I accept (with sadness) the new reality.

Nick M.

 

Don't rule out the possibility of 'hire outs'. But for the superheater header issue VT would have 2 double chimney Castles with mainline tickets and not enough work for them. There are always relatively few locomotives in the south. Don't know where Castles can go now without too many restrictions for clearances, but I would have thought some revenue from hiring one out would help the CBS.

 

I suppose the ability to keep running steam as if I remember WCRC said they did not have the resources to support Vintage Trains.