Saphos 2022

From LSL’s Facebook page:

"70000 Britannia set to steam to Windsor for Queen’s Jubilee
Our iconic steam locomotive, 70000 Britannia, will haul a charity railtour to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022.
‘The Royal Charter’ will start its journey from Crewe to Windsor on the Jubilee bank holiday, Friday 3rd June. Our luxury Saphos carriages will be hauled by 'Britannia'.
On arrival at Windsor, there will be plenty of time to explore the wide range of cafes and bars, or take the short walk to the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world.
This steam experience will be raising funds for the Railway Benefit Fund who support railway families in need".

 

Would it be good to have a 2022 thread? Just asking.

 

Is that a general Forum principle Alan for all TOC ‘s, as last year all tours run by RTC, Steam Dreams, Vintage Trains etc tended to end up in a 2021 thread?

 

If anyone is interested, I'm on the Statesman this weekend so I should be able to report on what LSL's on-board Covid policies are for this year. I bought a single ticket, so the minimum of two requirement they had last year has gone, and the updated Covid booklet that came with the ticket makes no mention anymore of bookings being physically separated, so I assume they've reverted back to shared tables like everyone else. The booklet also says there is no need to wear a facemask whilst sitting at your table. Anyway, I can report back on Sunday if you like.

 

The policy seems to be the same as last year - mask only when boarding, alighting and moving round the train. They've even stated that for next week's trip to Glasgow, even though masks are compulsory on transport in Scotland.

 

No wonder the army is playing a larger part of the nhs ambulance services, token infection control is going to come back and bite, hard.

 

As mentioned previously, I was on the Statesman yesterday. I really have to hand it to LSL - their on-board service is, hands down, the best in the business. (I'm excluding the likes of Belmond etc from that, as they operate in an exclusive market of their own). I felt like royalty all day yesterday.
All bookings get their own table, so no shared tables. As a single traveler I was allocated a table to myself. Most other tables were groups of 2 or 3 with the occasional group of 4. They've stopped their 2020 policy of not filling adjacent tables, so you will now find tables both sides of the aisle occupied.
A really really good day out, and a great start to the year.
As an aside, I spotted Michael Whitehouse yesterday. Keeping an eye on the competition maybe?

 

So are they still peddling their own interpretation of the English Govts masks policy, as no masks would certainly stop me travelling with them.

 

6233 on the The Coronation Scot, 24th - 26th September, including 40 haulage to Crewe. A standout excursion with a hefty premium, though its bucket list material for the devoted LMS enthusiast.

https://saphostrains.com/journey/coronation-scot-24-09-22

 

Just had a look at the Coronation Scot tour and was interested to note that in the 'Classes of Travel' information, the standard class carriage appears to be a very nice looking Mk II with opening windows:

https://saphostrains.com/journey/coronation-scot-24-09-22#classes-of-travel

I was under the impression that hitherto standard class has been using air con stock. Is a change afoot? If so, I would be much more likely to travel with Saphos.

 

For £680 return (plus two nights accommodation in Glasgow) you get two meals on the outward journey but only one on the 13½ hour journey south, albeit seven courses.

 

That's why I said "plus two nights accommodation". Perhaps for clarity I should have said "plus the cost of two nights accommodation".

 

Can't see a thread for this, but apologies if I'm duplicating. looks like LSL/Saphos/the Hosking organisation have set up separate branding for their modern traction tours: https://inter-city.co.uk/

 

LSL posted a Facebook video yesterday showing Britannia moving for the first time since overhaul, so hopefully the return to traffic isn't too far away.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=623354582220728