RTC 2025

Who would want to be a tour promoter?
Only chatting to one of my steward friends yesterday about how, with the new Buxton date they would manage to man two tours in two days out of London. Things change quickly in the tour world.

 

A couple of clips from the recent 'Edinburgh Flyer', hauled by 34067 'Tangmere' heading south at Grantshouse.

Video Available Here

 

45212 on today's Easterling seen on the fasts at Finsbury Park and heading through Letchworth:

 

Great video. That was going some at Finsbury Park - and as far as I could see, the diesel wasn't working through the station - maybe after help at the start out of The Cross?

Bryan

 

45212 at Bygrave, just east of Baldock, this morning. Bit of exhaust which generally behaved itself considering the strong westerly wind. Diesel wasn't doing anything, unlike in @TheModster's video from Letchworth a couple of miles earlier.

 

I expected some diesel assistance given the fire risk. Was good to see the Five take the train on the fast at Finsbury. Just beyond the platform at Letchworth was a lot of trackside vegetation, and given it shut off halfway down the platform with the diesel powering, my assumption is they were being careful with the risk and only powering the Five where safe. Complete speculation, of course!

 

A short clip of 45212 returning The Easterling back to the capital, seen at Bygrave nr Baldock

 

Two clips from tonights return leg with 45212 sounding great working hard at both Ashwell & Morden, and climbing the gradient away from the Stevenage set down through Knebworth. Photos to follow tomorrow...

 

Buxton 8/6/25 off,lack of bookings

 

I believe the change to a Sunday does not help get to the pick up points.
But I see the Swanage Belle now shows full in all classes.

 

Photos from 'The Easterling' at Ashwell & Morden and Knebworth last night...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/54563182754/in/album-72177720323862453

 

Sunday's tour to Great Yarmouth seen near Prickwillow and returning at Santon Downham.

 

Postponed to Saturday 26th July with limited places available for bookings

 

Another instance of RTC being sloppy in their descriptions;

 

Does it matter?

 

It probably brings an ironic smile to the punters who have been attempting to do that trip for the last three years. Once upon a time that blurb was correct.

 

Last three years? It ran in 2023.

 

Timings for the sold out Swanage Belle
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U54607/2025-06-25/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U54608/2025-06-25/detailed

No water stop until Fleet seems a long way (100 mile) Tornado? Or is Church Lane Junction a water stop shown as a pathing allowance?

 

Good to see that it's sold out.

Members of this forum may have differing views on diesels on the back and "coffins", but I guess most of us who frequent the "What's going on" threads on this forum have had some enjoyable days out on RTC excursions. Therefore even though there are those who are none too keen to travel with them as long as the current rolling stock is being used, I'm sure that none of us want to see RTC go under because of a situation outside of their control.