The Cotswold Venturer 7th July with 70013

Looking on the RTC website there seems to be plenty of seats available considering it is less than 3 weeks away. If 6023 had hauled the train maybe there would have been more interest? I'm considering booking this if I can - any news on availablity of 70013?

 

It should return this week on the Victoria to Swanage leg of the Swanage Belle( from another thread).

 

Thanks Paul, that's good news.

 

Just booked on this tour, although there seems to be lots of seats available. I suppose RTC will have to decide in a couple of days whether to run it or not?

 

The pricing is relatively reasonable at £84 compared to SD with their fancy new "posh" marketing with an equivalent price of £100+ for linen table cloths & tea/biccies rammed down your throat. Not what the enthusiast needs. For that reason I would never use SD again, they can keep their VSOE clientele.

 

So you're going on the Cotswold Venturer then?

 

No, because my financial position doesn't allow it. Food & a roof over my head come first. I was just putting things in perspective. Also I am not prepared spend my limited resources on something that could go pear shaped at the last minute with no comeback.

 

This thread is about the Cotswold Venturer run by RTC, not SD's new seating arrangements. See separate thread:
http://railways.national-preservati...new-premium-standard-class-debuts-review.html

 

I will probably be going to see this one on Sapperton at Chalford on the return, hopefully 70013 will put on a show!

 

She is definetly a performer, the echo of her last trip up in 2009 can still be heard in the lonesome night, il be at Skew Bridge near Chalford and Frampton Mansell

 

Did you see 5043's run in April and 71000's run this month? Hopefully it will compare favourably.

 

Ticket arrived today, now departs Euston (08.30) instead of Paddington as "platform unavailable", but returns to Paddington at 20.20.

 

Another wonderful piece of planning from the incompetents that are Network Rail.

 

Full timings for this train are now available on UK steam info;
Euston - Worcester via Cotswold Line
and
Worcester - Paddington via Kemble and Swindon
t0707a.htm
Looks like a good tour- probably be venturing out to watch this one go past, shame it wasn't No:6023 as planned, although No:70013 makes a very nice replacement, of course.

 

Tickets seem to be selling well in Premier and First, not so well in Standard, but at least it looks like the tour is going ahead having issued tickets.

 

Timed at 34 minutes for Standish to Kemble on the return, when DoG's run was timed at 25 on that section. Looks as though they won't push her too hard.

 

Both locos were very noisy on the steep incline to Sapperton tunnel. Though on Saturday, the bark of Britannia could be drowned out by the sound of fighter aircraft. The Fairford International Air Tattoo is being held this weekend. <BJ>

 

To those going to see it around Gloucester/Cirencester/Swindon don't forget it is the International Air tattoo at Fairford this weekend and the roads can be very busy.

 

When does it end? as it gets to st marys at around 5:30, so will it have ended?