Steam Dreams new PREMIUM STANDARD CLASS DEBUTS, review

Thanks for understanding.

 

For those still wanting to travel on the 9th July run some seats have become available in Premium Standard. When I rang this afternoon there were nine left. I have booked two. Also found out today that our friend (who I mentioned earlier in the thread) is already on this trip. He said he couldn't go because he was already going on another trip which his girlfriend had bought him for his birthday. Yesterday the surprise was revealed - he is on the 9th July run with 35028!

 

The new standard class seating seems to have had an impact on first class passengers. Previously in First it was possible to book a table for 2, but now the only option seems to be a compartment of 6 people or a table for 4. It would seem that all the First class coaches are now used for Premier dining, and they are squeezing out First class passengers.

 

From SD's website:
"Premium Standard
Premium Standard passengers are seated on tables of four, laid with crisp, white tablecloths. You will be served complimentary tea and coffee at your seat throughout the journey and be brought any hot and cold food or drinks you order from our on-board waiting staff.
First
First Class passengers are seated in compartments for up to six people or on rare occasions in an open plan carriage on tables of four. A glass of champagne and fruit juice is served on arrival. A steward will take your orders for alcoholic beverages from the bar, and bring you complimentary tea and coffee."

Standard price £99.00 First price £125.00, so by my reckoning in First you are paying an extra £26.00 for a glass of champagne, without the option of a table for 2.

 

I discussed this with Marcus at SD. He told me they will have a First Open coach when the new rake appears next year so twosomes will be possible again.

 

That's good news, thanks 6026!

 

Re: The Cotswold Venturer 7th July with 70013

Because SD now offer no other "cheaper" option for a simple soul like myself. Yes, I am stamping with both size 9's!

 

Re: The Cotswold Venturer 7th July with 70013

As has been reported in other forums Vintage Trains also now do an upgraded standard class, think they call it Club Class.

Perhaps thats the way the market is moving.

Comment does appear a bit extreme though, its their business so can they not decide what to do? They aren't forcing anyone to travel!

 

Re: The Cotswold Venturer 7th July with 70013

I think, Ralph, that the problem here is that many find that with the cheapest SD ticket now at £100 the prices have reached a point that they either cannot justify the cost to themselves and/or family and also it has just priced it out of the market for others. Especially as Buseng points out you stand a fair chance of not ending up with the product you purchased.

 

Re: The Cotswold Venturer 7th July with 70013

A couple of things here, I assume VT are still making "normal" standard class available unlike SD. They are not forcing people to travel BUT they do not want to drive people away either otherwise they would be put out of business.
Rightly or wrongly, when I do/did travel on main line steam tours I travel alone & usually "window hang" all day. So any extra money on frills & fancies would be wasted in my case.

 

Re: The Cotswold Venturer 7th July with 70013

You sound pretty similar to me Buseng in what you do on Steam Railtours and what class etc, I can understand promoters saying they get more business this way which I guess is fair enough, but it's also our right to pick who, when and if we travel with.

As long as a tour does what it says in the brochure (same itinery, motive power, correct requirements per class) and my custom is appreciated then that will do for me, if what's on offer doesn't appeal my hand will stay in it's pocket, if it does then the wallet will be released, simple as.

As I've said before SD's trips are largely irrelevant to me unless they start operating in this area but it seems other operators are picking up on it now, It's just a shame that only one promoter seems to have regular pick ups in the Midlands, looking at Promoters Websites the other week the only other steam trips with Midland pick ups seemed to be a couple being run by Pathfinder who prices (for steam anyway) seem on a par with SD's but with "standard standard".

 

Re: The Cotswold Venturer 7th July with 70013

I think it's good SD are offering a "third way" so to speak by providing "extras" and an at seat service for those that want it, all for less than the first class fare, but it's a shame they don't allocate at least one coach to the "old" standard class for those who prefer not to spend the majority of the tour sat down eating and drinking. I've always enjoyed a walk to the buffet car as well as the convivial environment offered by that coach in which to enjoy a drink. I presume this is no longer possible on an SD tour ? It will be interesting to see how many of their trains sell out in Prem Std to gauge the demand for this service. I suspect their new rake will be balanced to provide less Standard and more Dining / First Class seats anyway from which they probably make a bigger profit on average.

I'm glad it's been pointed out above that Pathfinder charge a minimum £99 for all their steam tours now, and with no extras thrown in ! Not sure how they can justify this given that in many cases their tours offer less steam mileage than the competition. At least they've only added 50p to the std fare for the double header on 28 July.

 

I have to agree with above. It's the lack of choice with SD that I think is unfair. Again it is largely irrelavent to myself, as SD uanshamedly target London where the extra £20 for a table cloth is probably a worthwhile investment for the targeted traveller. I just hope that RTC and Vintage Trains continue to serve the traveller like myself who is happy with a seat, a window to open and a bring your own picnic to get soot into!

I know i've mentioned it before, but is this Saturday's SRPS tour to Inverness the best value tour this year? £99 has got me steam haulage by Scot Guardsman from 06.30 to 23.30, very rare steam up the Highland Mainline, as well as a cooked Breakfast and dinner served to seat. The bargains are still out there but for how much longer?

 

Steam Dreams now only use DBS who they generally only used for trips hauled by Tornado in the past.Trips where DBS are toc have always been more expensive - always have traction inspector and crews are all directly employed.

 

Yes, and it is far more than the standard of food on offer is worth.

 

Yes, that's a good point re the number of seats per carriage though we shouldn't forget the "table for 2" supplement which can add £20 to the cost of a First / Dining seat with up to 14 of the 42 seats in an FO attracting the premium thus adding up to a further £280 to the difference. These tables always seem to sell out so must add a significant contribution to offsetting the effect of the reduced seats on most tours.

We can only speculate about the cost to the promoters of providing the dining service, but the cost to the passenger will always be high as the premier dining fare has to reflect both the caterer and the promoter's mark up. Although it would be interesting to see a breakdown of the various fares and the cost / profit ratios it has to be faced that none of these tours would operate in today's world were there not a profit motive.

Getting back to premium standard, I suspect the non provision of an ordinary standard class option in addition to PS is partly a desire to dispense with the buffet car which has less seats and often causes problems moving through the train due to long queues. It will probably make it easier building up a dedicated new rake not having to include a buffet AND kitchen car in the formation.