Steam Dreams Tours 2012

That probably explains why I haven't had a letter. I have taken 10 trips with SD in the last two years but that probably isn't enough to qualify.

 

So are Steam Dreams only going to cater for 200 non first class/premier dining passengers on their trips?

 

The 200 qualify for the discount and priority for special seating requests. I suspect standard will still be first come, first served whether you're a member of th '200 Club' or not.

 

Maybe they should introduce an airline style scheme with Gold and Silver card holders! I'd quite fancy the idea of an upgrade to Dining because they've overbooked in Standard Class! An Executive Lounge at London stations would be nice (after all the VSOE has one)!

 

Hi all,

Quick question - has anybody spoken to Steam Dreams and asked them about pre-booked Super Standard class wether those pre-booked will still be in the first carriage? I'm booked on a tour in early may and having read this thread I've meant to phone them this week to ask but not got round to it, certainly wouldn't be happy to find this out on the day of the tour with no prior warning that this may happen...

 

Received the new brochure/letter today. To me it looks as if they wanting to cater for Joe public/families/"rich people" & not the "scruffy enthusiast". Basically trying to go too much up market. It's not everyone who wants tea & coffee rammed down them all day long, as well as most enthusiasts are window hangers anyway, so will be unable to avail themselves to this anyway. Yet they will be expected to pay £95-£100 for the privilege. As far as I am concerned, no way! Especially with the increase of box take over/assistance these days. Sorry to bring the last comment up, but the threat is always there but more of a put off due to the price hike. The way they are going, SD might as well tap the VSOE or Northern Belle market. If they do take over the Green Train, that rules out DBS as a ToC as the the Green Train is vac only. Then where does that leave 60163?

 

I suspect that the "scruffy enthusiast" would be more than happy with a "no thrills" coach at the front and if guaranteed they could probably charge as much as "Super Standard" but without having to bother with all the tea and biscuits. Looks like I'll get my fill of window hanging with other operators this year.

 

Sounds like the Green Train disgraced itself again yesterday with its usual lack of heating! Is the plan really to take this set over or do Steam Dreams have another cunning plan? I'm rather puzzled by the statement in the brochure that says the new train will evolve over the course of the year.....

 

There is also a link between Graeme bunker and WCRC!

 

Shame all 3 can't "marry up". Just a figure of speech.

 

It sounds like the stock for the new SD rake is coming from Scotland. My Father was told this today.

 

Ex srps rake????

 

Had the new brochure today don't think i will be travelling on any after the 1st of may, RTC are a lot cheaper to the same destination's

 

This one?
SRPS Railtours : Coaching Stock available for Charters

 

Have they sold some of their stock?

 

As someone who works in the event business I think I need to point out to "buseng" it is exactly the "Joe public/families/Rich People" you need to attract to events! The harsh reality is the event operators know full well the hard core enthusiasts will come anyway and they also know how little many of them wish to spend!

If we were to end up with a situation were the only people wanting to book tickets were those who wanted the basic no frills service and were not prepared to buy any "add on's" the steam excursion enthusiasts would be paying "premier dining" prices to "window hang" or worse still your only chance to ride a steamer would be at 25mph on a preserved line!

Its time to wake up to the harsh realities of the steam train business it costs a lot to run steamers that's why BR got rid! one other point worth remembering is at £2million quid a pop for a boiler and as those costs have to be recovered by the engine owners, I firmly believe you can expect to see prices climb even more steeply over the next few years!!

 

I don't think there's anything wrong with the prices. If you go on their tours you get a booking slip that allows you a 10% discount anyway should you book on the day. Pathfinder charge £99 for Std class with no tea/coffee etc,also if a regular with SD they usually seat you near the front (quite important for enthusiasts),wheras with Pathfinder we have been sat anywhere up to coach E/F (as opposed to A/B),IMO I'd rather sit in the house than sit in the middle of the train.

Our patronage with PF is 15 years+ and over a hundred tours,for that we get sat anywhere on the train,even when requesting to sit near the front.

At least SD appear to put the effort in and sit their regular customers near to the front making the 200 mile journey from Yorkshire worth it. Thanks to everyone at SD over the years (especially post FMR era),we have had some fantastic tours and hopefully many more in the future. Looking forward to another good year.

 

Mind me asking what tour that was on Mark ?, admittedly it's been a while since i did a Pathfinder Steam charter rather than a Diesel one, but can't recall having ever payed over £85 for Pathfinder before.