Steam Dreams Tours 2012

That's good news.

In Down Main it does mention that the existing customer loyalty scheme will remain( If you on a train you will get a discount on a future trip if you book while you are on the train.It does not mention about the smaller discount if you book within the next 7 days,but I suspect this will remain).

 

I may well be in a minority but I have no interest at all in travelling in Pullman class, unless it's next to the loco and I doubt it is based on previous evidence. I'd happily travel in an open wagon if it was next to the loco. I love listening to the thrash and I love recording it and it's not something you can really do from half way down the train. O for the good old days when the booking form contained a "do you wish to be seated next to the loco for sound recording purposes?"option.

 

The repeat itinerary Jacobites and Scarborough Spas look like becoming the preserve of the enthusiast - albeit that the Wakefield circle is dire in the experience stakes, profitable though it is. Travelling evening clubs can still be great fun.

When one's enthusiasm is for travel by whatever means, especially the open air variety - and boy has it been fun over the past few years - Scrabster to Manchester - in April - who would have believed it? and it was the record drive at 541 miles in the day beating Williams Az to San Bernadino Ca at 411! who needs to spend £100 on a gamble at not being at the wrong end of the train all day, not having an unheated and unlit coach, or being fried alive as I was in Riviera Trains stock last year, let alone finding that you are sharing a table with the village car hater who resents even the fact that you drove to the station!

I can stay quite busy organising vintage events, attending vintage shows, and preservation venues and activities in a choice of fields and appropriate exhibits - so being treated like, as a friend who travels posh class puts it, "a second class citizen" at that price holds no appeal for me.

To give a flavour - transport, accommodation and meals for two, for a week, following a GB - around a grand - participate - four grand - No contest! And we came home with whisky from three distilleries and toffees from Moffat in the boot!

 

That's the one.

Giving the chance of good pacific running on two of Europe's last great steam routes. Waterloo - Salisbury/Bournemouth on July 9th, and then Hamburg - Osnabruck on the 15th.

But before I commit myself to the flights etc for Germany I need to find out that the same old freedoms for the hard core steam enthusiasts still exist. I accept the restrictions that apply in the UK as in the preservation era I've not seen anything else. But in Germany I've only ever seen room made for the hard core steam enthusiast re use of corridors and windows in the coach behind the loco.

 

That sounds promising. But I wonder how much it is to join?

 

Seem to remember Past Time Rail had their own 'members' scheme (something like £15pa?)

 

Sounds like a good deal to me. I can't see how they can have a dedicated set of coaches while they continue to use both West Coast and DBS as the train operator however. I assume that tours involving Tornado still have to be DBS operated - or has that situation changed?

 

I know I'm slightly changing the subject to motive power.
Does anyone get a sense that Tornado is going to be the motive power for most of the Cathedrals trips?
I'm noticing that she is not in one of the summer pools like most of the other steam engines.

 

I also received a letter today and agree with your comments.

 

Who says they will continue to use dbs or wcrc, they may well do so but the new set of dedicated coaches I guess will probably be owned or more likely leased to Steam Dreams who I understand have recently gone out to tender for someone to operate their trains. What would be stopping an overseas operator bidding or maybe an existing TOC and if successful then employs British personnel to operate their trains. I have no idea of the legal situation of this and certainly have no knowledge whatsoever of what is happening [it is no more than a thought provoking situation of mine] but to me it does seem to be the way the jigsaw is coming together and seems similar to the way government seeks applicants from potential TOC's to bid for a franchise.

 

The scheme is limited to the 200 most frequent Standard Class passengers and is by invite only so SD told me this morning.

 

Can't see me traveling with steam dreams this year then, not @ £99 for standard class.

 

For an explanation of the fare increase.. this is from SD's tour booking page..

Does this mean end of the Buffet car ? (Serving sandwiches at your seat could be done by Trolley / BSK and so add an extra revenue vehicle, or reduce the load overall to the train perhaps ?)

 

Yes it says so on the literature recently sent out by Steam Dreams to their regulars but it adds you can still bring your own food and drink.

 

The letter came in the post yesterday. I'm a bit unsure of the discount though. Is it just on my seat if I book more than one or on all the seats I book? I will give them a call on Friday I think.

 

Same! Tis a shame but there you go...

 

It will be interesting to see how it goes.

If everyone does as they say.. it may be worth paying £99 to have an empty carriage next to the locomotive all to myself, the t-lady and a pile of crisp, white table cloths.

 

I wish I hadn't searched for this tour!

Arbeitsgemeinschaft Westfalendampf, Ihr Spezialist in Sachen Dampfloksonderzüge und mehr...