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Vintage Trains 2022

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Sidmouth, Jan 2, 2022.

  1. Leviathan

    Leviathan New Member

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    Will these tours have a kettle on the back for shunting, shovage, steam heating, resilience etc?

    Hat, coat...
     
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  2. Deepgreen

    Deepgreen Well-Known Member Friend

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    Many thanks for the helpful reply.
     
  3. Sam 60103

    Sam 60103 Member

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    The standout tour for me for the rest of the year is surely 7029 on the S&C. Potentially 4 steam trains at Carlisle on the same day which also coincides with LNER Azuma Carlisle diversions.
     
  4. iancawthorne

    iancawthorne Well-Known Member

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    Cumbrian Coast and Northern Belle being two of those. Which was the fourth? There is the Lune Rivers Trust, but that is headed for York rather than Carlisle. A very busy day in the Northern Fells though!
     
  5. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    Saphos Coronation Scot see https://saphostrains.com/journey/coronation-scot-24-09-22
     
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  6. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    With all the other services at Carlisle that pretty much guarantees a box on the back. Just like with 6233, though fair play they did intend to run it solo over the S&C. I'd like to see VT be brave and send the 47 light to Appleby or Carlisle to re-attach for the Carlisle movements and vice versa. I'd contribute to make that happen.
     
  7. Sam 60103

    Sam 60103 Member

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    Sadly unlikely though saying that I don’t think there was that much assistance with the Duchess tour with VT in March. I will hopefully be at Carlisle that day and it will be the first time I have ever seen a castle or an unrebuilt Bulleid.
     
  8. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Agree, 2 seats now booked for Club Class!

    Be interesting to see how far steam stays on for the return.

    Was also tempted by the Llandudno and Ffestiniog trip, but choice had to be made!
     
  9. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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  10. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    IMG_20220305_110916.jpg
    If it was anything like the Welsh Marches trip, the 47 will be clinging on for dear life! ;)

    Sam, you will be in for a treat..
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2022
  11. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    Here we go ....rail strikes announced for 21st, 23rd and 25th June.
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61723515

    Probable tour cancellation / postponement:
    Vintage Trains. 25th June. Pair of class 20s from Snow Hill - Worcester - WSM return.
     
  12. NathanP

    NathanP Member

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    That was an excellent trip. I always love the VT trips along the Marches. Incidentally, you've captured me in that photo as well. I'm standing to the left of the "L10" box.
     
  13. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    If it was anything like the Welsh Marches trip, the 47 will be clinging on for dear life!
    Very nice to put a face to a name! Agreed, that was a sensational trip and went some way to reaffirm my passion for mainline steam after a few disappointing trips.
     
  14. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    Chances of Carlisle handling 4 tours if it is a diversion day must be remote I would have thought.
     
  15. Derek Riley

    Derek Riley New Member

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    Just an update on the booking situation, if you book directly with VT by calling 0121 708 4960 and not via their third party website you avoid the booking fees...I queried when I booked and was told I'd found the loophole...saved quite a few quid and gained bookings as I wasn't going to otherwise, as others have said it's not great to find a hidden charge at the checkout stage.

    Derek
     
  16. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    Without knowing what contract VT gave to whichever commercial operation that developed the new site we will never know if what has been delivered meets the original specification or not. To me it does appear to be a retrograde step, but then a great percentage of commercial website "upgrades" seem to achieve that, as have a few Heritage Lines in the past.
    I have not gone into to the fees in any depth, but from a poster on another forum the booking fee was stated as being higher for First over Standard. If that is actually true then it is not a booking fee at all but a tax.
    Booking fees, hidden or not, are a bad idea as they make people feel lied to, would be far better to include it in the ticket price, if actually required. Also if it is avoidable by ringing direct then slightly extra profit for VT. But if they do not charge over the phone then it should be made clear on the website.
     
  17. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    I agree on the principle of booking fees, but suspect that if many people used the phone, booking fees would be charged for any booking as the saving in payment to the website (I suspect a percentage based model may be at work) will be offset by the cost of having to take the calls.

    There is no good reason why the costs charged by booking engines shouldn't be embedded in headline prices, and the sooner that these fees disappear, the better.
     
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  18. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Did they have it developed by a commercial company or has it been done in house? Fareharbor as a booking engine is easy to incorporate to something you’ve built yourself, possibly part of the attraction. They are certainly not the only railway company to use it. The other selling point is the card processing fees are set lower it’s rivals which again maybe a reason for using them.

    Personally, I think it’s not the best system but also understand it’s easy to implement.
     
  19. LittleRedTrain

    LittleRedTrain Member

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    Nigel Harris (of RAIL Magazine) has confirmed on Twitter that these have now been cancelled due to the strike action.
    https://twitter.com/RAIL/status/1534856746329677824

    The Chiltern HybridFLEX unit will be providing shuttles to Honeybourne on the 22nd only.
     
  20. Sam 60103

    Sam 60103 Member

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