RTC 2015

Perhaps a "copy and paste" mistake - that reason has been trotted out by RTC in the past.

 

Can't ignore the Dalesman effects either, providing more opportunities for essentially the same product. Is there enough custom to fill three trains per week on the same itinerary?

 

Although the summer programme was dropped this year, seemingly without much motivation to overcome the operational restrictions last summer introduced. If the revenue was strong a way to continue would have been found, surely?

 

Ralph--- I think a day out to Scarborough from say Castleford or Wakefield for £39 per adult was a bit of a different proposition from £65 to Carlisle.

It will be interesting to see how the SSEs go at the end of October. I hope that's a step towards rebuilding some confidence over at York.

 

Dalesman is £65 standard, with one child under 12 going free per adult (though there's a £3.50 online booking fee), and Waverley is £69 per adult, children £45, family £183. So for a family of 4, the Dalesman is cheaper (£135 against £183).

 

Bet RTC is thrilled to have competition from its main TOC.

 

Just noticed an advert in our local rag, dated July 16th, for The Cotswold Venturer. It will be hauled by historic King Class 6023 King Edward II....

Tickets from £89 but 5% readers discount....

 

RTC would win easily IF the Waverley ran as advertised with steam throughout.Afraid if ,as everyone suspects, it's steam from Hellifield then my money will stay in the wallet, especially when so far, it seems the tour won't run, or if it does you won't find out which loco on it until Hellifield.
Time for RTC to proof read, correct and proof read again it's brochure and website, with honesty rather than fantasy.

 

.... and check the terms of its contract with the TOC. If it can't or won't run steam throughout it needs to find one that will. Otherwise RTC has ceded its well developed product for another business to exploit.

 

Any news about the Weymouth Seaside Express from Bristol, this coming Sunday 26th July?

 

From RTT

Out http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50671/2015/07/26/advanced

Return http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U50672/2015/07/26/advanced

 

I notice that the train has a diesel in the consist on Sunday. When the train reaches Yeovil on the
outward leg the steam loco detaches and the train continues to Weymouth (including the climb
to Evershot) diesel hauled. <BJ>

Edit: Thanks for the update Paul. I have now started a separate thread for this train.

 

Many thanks, Paul42. I see that 'Tangmere' is to do the honours.

John

 

25th August Welsh Mountaineer vanished from website...

 

Well that takes most of the k4's chances on the mainline really slim.

 

The K4 is contracted to NYMR until the autumn anyhow. The latest SR mentioned doubt about its ticket being renewed when it expires soon.
The WM is probably doubtful because no suitable motive power is available, 8F, K1 or K4 all being otherwise engaged. Could go with black 5 plus diesel perhaps?

 

Had a spare 15 minutes, and used UKsteaminfo to do a tally for the number of advertised trips run in the period Wed 13 May- Wed 22 July (ie. since things went back to 'normal'). Out of 30 trips advertised, 17 were postponed or cancelled for various reasons, resulting in RTC's UK programme contracting by 57 per cent from planned since mainline steam returned in May. Although this total might include trips that were advertised, then cancelled at an earlier date due to engineering, etc., it still makes grim reading.