RTC 2014

With a bunch of the RTC 2014 tours posted for the 1st half, now is a good time as any at this point to start this thread.

 

I for one am hoping that RTC will not have to chop and change their itinerary and locos nor cancel as many tours as in 2013. I'm planning to book two seats on the "Welsh Borderer" on 17th May, as it's a great itinerary - opportunities for serious hill climbing and fast running and plenty of superb scenery. It's also booked for Braunton, a loco behind which I have yet to travel. When I saw the corresponding train earlier year (hauled by 34067 Tangmere), there was no diesel on the back. Given I live only 10 miles from Gloucester, one of the pick up points, it ticks all the right boxes for me. However, the date has already been changed once. I just hope this will be the only change, and that it will run as currently scheduled on the day.

 

I note from the RTC website that 70013 Oliver Cromwell has replaced 60009 Union of South Africa on the 2014 series of Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express'. 45305 still remains. Maybe this is due to the A4 being required at Shildon for The Great Goodbye event.

 

can anyone tell me or give me a list of the 2014 trips for rtc

 

http://www.railwaytouring.net/uk_day_trips
listed thru May 2014.

 

two threads have emerged on this topic perhaps the mods could rationalise them.

I note from the RTC website that "The Tin Bath" has changed dates again due to engineering works. Originally scheduled to run on 16 March then postponed to 6 April it is now further postponed until 11 May, although 44871 + 45407 are still the advertised locomotives. The 2014 "Jacobite" season is due to start the following day Monday 12 May and whilst it is probably too early to say which locos will work the 2014 Jacobite, I do wonder as to whether there could be a change of power on the "Tin Bath"

The RTC website says the train will now pick up at Manchester Piccadilly instead of Victoria but will then go up Miles Platting bank. Hmmm... I do wonder how its going to do that? The train is also advertised as picking up at Wigan yet this pick up is not mentioned in the approximate times listing. I really do feel RTC require a proof reader !

 

A list of pick-up stations would be much appreciated, as per Steam Dreams - making it easier to find the needle in the haystack that is a Warwickshire departure (and no, we're not getting out of bed to make an 06.10hrs dep from Brum Int to sample the delights of Fishguard).

 

How about 6.20 for Neath

 

Hold me down .... So it looks like the Cumbrian's or whatever VT have to offer again.

 

What date's that Ralph - can't find an A4 on RTC or UK Steam?

 

I think Ralph is refering to the Vintage Trains trip in March.

 

Cheers - not checked VT yet - Stafford would be good for us depending on timings ....... except we're on hols in the Dales - so will have to wave as he passes!

 

Even better if the proof reader had a rail atlas to hand and details of what they had failed to deliver as advertised in 2013,so not as to advertise the same in 2014...such as steam to Kings Cross and return from York, or a certain tour with 61994/62005 top and tail, unless they have good reason to suggest what wasn't possible in 2013 is in 2014.

 

Manchester Victoria is not available due to maintenance work So as soon as we were told we amended the station we are in the process of confirming details of the final route
With all the difficulties of running this train with stations and routes like Copy Pit not being available in the early part of the year I can see it may have been easier to cancel the train
That way at least this forum would have been silent
Nigel Dobbing

 

And fair criticism?