THE MANCUNIAN Sat 09-Jun

'We are offering a unique tour to Manchester Piccadilly which features the first steam hauled train from London Euston to Manchester for many years.
The Mancunian recalls the days of over 50 years ago when this named express train ran between London Euston and Manchester London Road, now Piccadilly.
Our steam locomotive on this historic occasion will be Britannia class ‘Pacific’ 4-6-2 No. 70000 “Britannia”.'

Currently expected to be 70000 as 70013 will still be at Railfest at this point.
Anyone on this? first tour into piccadilly since 60019 a few years ago.
I'm guessing the hope is to have the 86 on the return?

Only available times:
[TABLE="class: train-schedule, width: 1"]
[TR="class: row odd"]
[TD="class: station"]London Euston[/TD]
[TD="class: depart"]09:30[/TD]
[TD="class: return"]20:25[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row even"]
[TD="class: station"]Watford Junction[/TD]
[TD="class: depart"]09:55[/TD]
[TD="class: return"]20:00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row odd"]
[TD="class: station"]Milton Keynes[/TD]
[TD="class: depart"]10:30[/TD]
[TD="class: return"]19:30[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row even"]
[TD="class: station"]Northampton[/TD]
[TD="class: depart"]11:00[/TD]
[TD="class: return"]19:00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: row odd"]
[TD="class: station"]Manchester Piccadilly[/TD]
[TD="class: depart"]13:35[/TD]
[TD="class: return"]17:00
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Matt

 

Just tried to book this trip on line. Its on the RTC website but not on the bookable tours.

Still saying its the first time in many years a train has run from London to Manchester Piccadilly, but Bittern did the same in March 2010. Given that it was for RTC someone doesn't have a very long memory!

Will have to call them tomorrow and book the old fashioned way.

SG

 

Hi SG, it seems I've had the same as you with online booking, this could either mean it's fully booked or cancelled. Have you heard anything from the office?
Matt

 

I can't see it listed on the website any more.

 

Agreed, not there.
UK Day Trips by Steam Train

Nothing in the news section either.

 

Had heard that and the Sunday one to Exeter may not be happening as intended but both appear to have been taken off the website so looks the guys above might well be right. The Thursday one off the south + the PMR job on the 9th are still on I understand. Can't be helping the promoters rectify any timings glitches as the charter unit is unfortunately a month behind now on where it was over the winter. Lets hope it isn't a lengthy problem all summer.

 

Oh no.. I was actually about to ask the diesel (or electric) assistance risk on this trip as I was considering both the Saturday Manchester and Sunday exeter trips...

Any confirm have both been cancelled ?

 

Isn't it time the charter unit accepted some public liability?

 

I was on the Exeter trip and yes it has been cancelled.

 

I would wholeheartedly agree with that. It seems to me that a far more interactive and collaborative way of working involving NR planners, the TOC, and the tour promoter is required.

 

Here we go again - Listen to your Uncle Frank - and organise that TOCs/Promoters/NR forum, but they all snigger and play in their own little corner - and then a moan a bucket full when it all goes LBU again. One day they will learn - but will there be any customers willing to pay the fares left?

 

That explains a lot.....

 

How is your attempts to set-up your forum going?

 

probably about as well as your attempts to be clever!

 

Calm down chicken licken.

 

Calm down calm down - wrong end of the M62!

 

Haven't had a chance to ring yet as work full on, but hope its a runner.

 

Received a letter from RTC today confirming the cancellation of The Mancunian...

"We have decided to cancel this tour due to a difficulty in obtaining the final timings from Network Rail."

 

Well done RTC, seeing the current situation and not standing for any of NR's c**p, hopefully they have relayed the message that timings need to be issued further in advance than is currently the case.

Surely if it was simply down to a lack of paths then RTC would of worded it that way, which suggests NR is still dragging its heels with late timings.