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New Tour Company? Great British Railway

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by jperk, Jun 12, 2012.

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  1. jperk

    jperk New Member

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    I was handed a brochure by a friend this weekend for a company i have not heard of before. Its called 'Great Railway Journeys of Britain' and based in settle. Does anyone know anything about this company. I have seen a couple of the tours in there that actually look quite good but i don't like to consider any company that is an 'unknown'

    Anyone here been on any of their tours? Im not sure if they have run any yet or if they are literally brand new.

    cheers! jake
     
    jperk, Jun 12, 2012
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  2. Oakfield

    Oakfield Guest

    What is their actual address in settle? Is this Kingfisher under a new name?
     
    Oakfield, Jun 12, 2012
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  3. iancawthorne

    iancawthorne Well-Known Member

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    I read something somewhere about a new tour company starting up basing their tours on the Portilo Railway Journeys.
     
    iancawthorne, Jun 12, 2012
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  4. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    As mentioned on another forum, it's the same address as HF Railtours, and it's rumoured that Roger Hardingham, formerly of Kingfisher Railtours, is involved.
     
    5944, Jun 12, 2012
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  5. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Article in HR about this. Is indeed Roger Hardingham running under the name of South Coast Railway Company and basing a series of tours on Great British Railway Journeys. Looks to be trying to tap into the higher end market.
     
    acorb, Jun 12, 2012
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  6. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    Paul42, Jun 12, 2012
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  7. Oakfield

    Oakfield Guest

    I wont be booking anytime soon!
     
    Oakfield, Jun 12, 2012
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  8. 45407&44871

    45407&44871 Guest

    Looks like some very interesting tours here! I'm definitely considering the cambrian train in September!
    Anyone know who the TOC is gonna be? Taking a guess at WCR
    Matt
     
    45407&44871, Jun 12, 2012
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  9. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Nothing there that is not already covered by other tour companies.
     
    RalphW, Jun 12, 2012
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  10. 45407&44871

    45407&44871 Guest

    From different places though Ralph, Manchester to Aberystwyth is definitely sounding interesting to me...
     
    45407&44871, Jun 12, 2012
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  11. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    According to HR the diesel trips will use DRS locos and stock (as well being TOC I presume). HR also listed Rivera as providing stock which would also indicate DBS as an operator, guessing this would be for steam trips as DRS do not have a steam licence.
     
    acorb, Jun 12, 2012
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  12. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Having had a look at the website it would appear they are selling standard seats at £69, but no mention of steam as far as i could see. Traction is generally 37's/47's & 57's. Certainly an ambitious programme which will appeal to some, but as said before, little no one else is already doing.
     
    acorb, Jun 12, 2012
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  13. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    8th and 15th September reportedly cancelled already, bid not put in in time

    I doubt WCRC would be involved with Roger Hardingham. Didn't WCRC take 6 Wessex Mks 2s as payment for bills before Kingfisher went bust?
     
    5944, Jun 13, 2012
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  14. Oakfield

    Oakfield Guest


    After the problems with Kingfisher I would be surprised if any TOC would wish to be involved!
     
    Oakfield, Jun 13, 2012
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  15. leander

    leander Member

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    A lot of people still waiting for repayment of money payed to kingfisher for cancelled tours
     
    leander, Jun 13, 2012
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  16. malc

    malc Part of the furniture

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    Maybe it's worth trying to book on one of the new company's tours in lieu of repayment from Kingfisher (as I don't think anyone is likely to get their money back from the latter).
     
    malc, Jun 13, 2012
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  17. 46236

    46236 Well-Known Member

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    he is also producing a dvd of current steam action........you cant keep a good man down.............sits in bunker wearing tin hat
     
    46236, Jun 13, 2012
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  18. jperk

    jperk New Member

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    Wow, What a response! i must admit, the tour info does look very similar to some of the previous tours offered by HF Railtours. If this is indeed a re-incarnation of Kingfisher, does this mean that Passengers still owed money by kingfisher may be able to be repaid? I have a couple of friends who are still out of pocket, had no response from kingfisher a couple of years back and quite frankly got stung! Hence my cautious approach to companies i am unaware of! looks like it was worth questioning, reading the responses it sounds like they are not very trustworthy and have a dubious past.

    Have they actually run anything yet? I think i shall continue traveling with companies i have in the past. Thanks to everyone for all the info!

    jake
     
    jperk, Jun 13, 2012
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  19. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Hey you can't use that phrase, just wait till Frank sees it..
     
    RalphW, Jun 13, 2012
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  20. 46236

    46236 Well-Known Member

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    awwwww, Frank don't scare me, he can't run and he can't fight......hahahahahahaha
     
    46236, Jun 13, 2012
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