New VT Tour Programme

While checking the roster for the Shakespeare Express this weekend, found that the new tour programme has been put up. Double-headed Panniers and Halls on the Lickey, 46115 on Shap and the S&C, the non-stop to Marylebone and the "Cotswold Explorer" should sell well. The only question is what to go for?

http://www.tyseleylocoworks.co.uk/tours/

 

Pannier Rambler featuring 7752 & 9600 - Sat 3 Nov 2012

This one looks interesting with double headed panniers over the Lickey

 

Answer - THEM ALL!

 

Not asking for guaranteed down to the last minute timings for the Marylebone non-stopper - I know that such things are out of your hands - but what sort of duration of stay time in/out in London are you planning for this trip? I'm trying to sell it to my Girlfriend...if we could fit a Matinee performance in I think I'd be onto a winner!

 

Of course not.....You just need to cut down on essentials like food, drink and a roof over your head! lol

 

When we ran the private charter last year we had a 9:57 departure from Moor St arriving Marylebone at 11:56. We departed Marylebone at 16:15 and were back at Moor St for 19:05.

I CANNOT guarentee that we will get the same timings, but we are asking for something similar.

 

Thanks Ben, I fully appreciate that comes without a guarantee. Just makes planning a little bit easier.

 

The main problem for me is the money. Can you do just the Gloucester to Newport section on the DH Haulage for a much lesser price?

 

If we have seats left closer to the day we might considder it, but if the tour is selling out then we would rather sell the full tickets at full price....unless you can find someone who wants to split the journey with you.

 

There's some good stuff in the programme. Ben, I hope you don't mind me pointing out a slight mistake: The "Moonraker" to Salisbury is down on the main tour page as running on 6th April 2013, but if you clcik and go onto the detail page, it says Saturday 26th. A quick calculation suggests that the 6th is the correct date.

One request when considering your future plans:- Last November, my wife & I moved to a village about 10 miles west of Gloucester, so if I need to go to London by train, the route is over Sapperton. What a lovely stretch of line that is! (I had never been over this route before moving) There have been a couple of steam trains over this line ths year, but the irony is that it has been impossible for the "locals" to join them. The "Cotswold Explorer" running in October has no advertised pick-up point anywhere nearer than Worcester. I'm a bit strapped for cash this year and therefore may not be able to go on a main line trip anyway, but is there any chance in the not-too distant future (i.e., 2013 or later) of steam over Sapperton which will pick up in Gloucester, or at least Cheltenham? If so, please count me in (preferably with 5043 on the front)

 

Yep, count me in for one like that too!

 

Ben,

Thanks for the information above. Like others, I realise it's issued with a "health warning"

It states on the website that one way fares are also available. Have you decided what these will be yet, and whether they'll be available for the UP journey only, or either the UP or DOWN ?

Many Thanks

 

We have got a limited number of one-way seats on both the up and down trains.

Give the office a ring and we will give you all the details, including discounted connections on Chiltern if required.

Cheers!

 

Many thanks Ben, will do. Most likely be the up train. Would probably not require the CT connection as more likely to return to the West Country from Paddington.

 

John, I feel your pain! The challenge is pathing through Cheltenham - by the time we get to Cheltenham there is usually something behind us and we are not allowed to stop. We have been denyed Cheltenham stops regularly.

If we go into Gloucester we have to run-round and turn the engine, adding time to the day.

We are planning a trip for 2013 that will start at Gloucester and run up Sapperton Bank, but I cannot say anymore at this stage.

 

Booked for the non-stop on BHM - London + the double tanks over lickey.
Thanks Ben/Bob/VT - a good programme!

Sorry not to be posting on RTC/"Death of mainline steam" but I did vote.......

Time to enjoy mainline steam-R.D. with luck on Sunday and a weekly trip on the SDR!! Also daily outings on the mainline(workbased) using the brilliant "Freedom of the S.W. Rover"

Daily use of FGW by a large family +many of my 60+ staff suggest a far from broken N.R./FGW !!

I see v clean trains(if old) with v friendly staff many of whom (in Exeter) are keen enthusiasts.
Trains are full,safe+pretty happy. Recntly they have been generally punctual as well.

I look forward to more ace mileage with VT knowing that Bob M will have done everything to ensure I have a good time. Lickey with 2 panniers--wow!! A "one-off"-phew-lots of NP posters dont like these but still turn out to phot on the big bank!!
. And yes, NR Chiltern + poss FGW will have helped to ensure a pathfor both the tours I am on. Result-I dont complain when a diesel turns up as it did a few yrs back(or seek a refund) Just didn't travel+shugged despite needing the loco!!!
PS I was with the big bad boy of railtours on sunday as he finalised arrangements re 6233(wish) having told John the sad news of 60009. What does strike me is how many jobs are being threatened by talking down tours. Good luck Ben + may the Good Lord help you when the baying mob turns on you,VT or WCR but remember many of us are VVVV grateful to all at TYS/WCR + N.R.

Ray Mason

 

If you can, try to make one like this in the school holidays, as I live near Gloucester, and would hate to miss it!

 

Thanks Ben. I'll look out for the updates, and hope it is a date when I am free.