Saphos Trains 2026

No issue probably. I'd guess it's keeping the goodwill of the business, which isn't bad thing. Steam Dreams having been for many years a distinctive and respected Southern based operation, with Watercress Line connections and green carriages.

 

Adding to that, it seems likely that some customers are on SD's mailing list but not on Saphos's. While there would be minimal harm in reality in combining the lists, that might be prohibited by data protection law. Forthcoming trips could be advertised to everyone on both lists, but that would result in many people getting the adverts twice, which might be annoying.

I was on both lists, and I continue to get emailshots from statesman-saphos.com covering both those brands and Midland Pullman, but I have had nothing from Steam Dreams recently.

 

Of course there is no contemporary issue! But then you describe an issue which could be labelled historic.

I have good memories of many SD tours, which my wife and I enjoyed when Marcus Robertson ran the company, and from the few conversations I had with him over the years, he seemed a good chap. If I can improve my health a little, we are considering a Belle Trains tour in the future.

On the other hand, we have only travelled a few times with LSL, and despite never having met Jeremy Hosking, from what I know of him, I certainly dislike his political views, and I suspect that in the unlikely event of us meeting, I might well dislike him.

None of this has much to do with the limited number of excursions, on which we now travel. These are chosen primarily using the criteria of the stock used, the route and timings, the locomotive, and the probable degree of diesel involvement. This year that meant Vintage Trains, UK Railtours and Belmond. For next year, RTC and WCR improbably might change their approach and become attractive again, but a prejudice against Hosking's companies will remain, despite lingering sentimental memories of Steam Dreams.

 

WCR will have to change their approach as they are being left behind given that LSL and VT are all looking into running without diesels etc. might be time for WCR to change their tactics.

 

You have made the assumption there that the steam railtour market is enthusiast driven, which these days is far from correct.
Yes a few enthusiast based tours have a small market share, but most Saphos, SD and VT tours also run with a diesel. So WCRC are obviously not worried about what you regard as "left behind" as that is not where the market is in 2025/6.

 

Even though it’s clear recently that companies are beginning to open up to the idea of running unassisted with LSL trialing it, VT offering unassisted Shakespeare Express’ etc.

I agree it’s not where the market is, but to me it’s hard to justify advertising a trip as ‘steam hauled’ when it’s clear that the steam locomotive is doing very little.

 

There’s another thread, dating back years, where that discussion has gone round in more circles than the wheels of a 9F at 90mph

 

For which you can partially blame me, although my fairly innocuous post and those following were hijacked by @Big Al (Not unreasonably).

https://www.national-preservation.c...charters-including-the-use-of-diesels.757898/

Enjoy the journey Charles, if you fancy it!

 

I definitely fancy it, I shall take a look.

 

i see that all single seat 1st class is now sold out for both trips, and all 2nd class similar

 

Although the current market is not enthusiast driven, I feel the 71000 £99 no frills Euston-Carlisle rtn (steam from Crewe)changed the game.
The majority of enthusiasts have been priced out of the trains, which combined with a box on the back and MK2 coaches, make for an unattractive package.
Saphos have been quick to recognise this extra business opportunity to run alongside the dining trains, and Vintage trains having tried it before are doing it in 2026.
I suspect 71000 will be tempted to do it again.
I think it’s great, and will hopefully satisfy many of the Members, and deal with a lot of the issues on here relating to diesel assistance.


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Many thanks for this information of which I wasn't aware.
I believe the tours were on 26/10/68 and 29/6/69. I have found some outline times for the tour in 1968 from which it is clear that it wasn't a rapid assent of Shap or Grayrigg. If anybody has some times from "The North Eastern" in 1969 I would be very interested.

Only 14 seats left on 60532.