RTC 2015

21 July Welsh Mountaineer now off the website....

 

Feeling really bad for rytc right now. Not enough loco availability plus other factors as well.

 

Seeing as I have just waved-off said train from York, I'd imagine its a steam-only issue, and WCRC diesel haulage is fine on the southern end. So could this be the anticipated summer steam ban at last?

 

How can it be a summer steam ban when 60163 has worked York-KX today,unless it's it's an old steam ban...?

 

Bugger. Was booked on that.

 

Implosion. I have a couple of friends who booked for the already re-dated 'Pilgrim Fathers' trip, which looked really good; and would myself have booked if not for family commitments.

2015 is turning into a disastrous year.

John

 

Hell knows, but its the only excuse I can think of that isn't as bad as a general ban of WCRC steam south of York. However, I don't recall the ban being applied to DBS-crewed tours in summer conditions, although it may have been the case that the latter didn't run any in affected areas anyway.

'The Wansbeck' is an interesting one if motive power proves difficult. Could 61306 potentially cover for 61994 or 62005? However, I'm getting over the withdrawal symptoms and visiting heritage railways again, so I don't mind whether it runs or not anymore. There's always the fantastic-looking KWVR gala with 34053 in attendance on that weekend.

 

61306 is on a Cath Ex Warminster to Ely on the same date. 61994 might be available since the trip is after the NYMR gala.62005 will still be in Scotland, and 61264 if repaired might be required by the NYMR.

 

Just had a letter today from RTC advising that the September West Highlander Steam Express has been cancelled due to poor bookings.
Pity, as this was 750 miles of pure steam haulage, from Preston to Oban and Mallaig via Glasgow, with full board, through great scenery, and last year carried about a 100 passengers.

 

Maybe potential customers have been put off, by the GB debacle ? I reckon customer confidence is low, when it comes to thinking of booking tours and with the current restrictions, WCR, are having to operate under, people are just not willing to part with their money at the present time.

 

It's the same itinerary as the last few years. Even going northbound over the GSW would mix it up a bit. It's a nice tour, but it's not going to attract too many repeat bookings if it's the same route year after year.

 

I think we need to start getting a bit more used to repeat tours....just a hunch!

 

As mentioned earlier, unveiling a raft of 'repeat itinerary' tours by no means ensures a increased chance of running, as the number of dates sometimes means that the market gets saturated and a string of cancellations/transfer options are issued due to low bookings. Whilst great if you live near the start point, its not so great if you have to make plans, and cannot make any of the other dates.

Its an old problem, but it is the same principle as current proposals to extend shop opening hours on Sundays- retailers might not make much more money on it, as customers may simply put-off buying mid-week and shop on that day, thus potentially spreading the income thinly. Having spent a little time in retail myself with a large high-street firm, Sundays were usually a quiet day compared with a Saturday afternoon.

In contrast, I have found that one-off railtours have tended to be more reliable hitherto, as they provided something special for most involved in their organisation and the passengers. I only hope they remain in some form or another, for at the risk of being controversial, travelling to the same destinations day in, day out gets a little wearisome (I'm thinking about Carlisle).

 

Deleted

 

Timings for 'The Peak Forester', 09:18 off Kings Cross, back at 22:26. Looking forward to this trip.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sea...15/07/19/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

 

Funny how this one is being allowed to run back to KGX, yet NR threw a wobbly with 'The Pilgrim Fathers', although I'm beginning to suspect that they were unhappy with running WCR steam from there mid-week. I think its what's commonly known as 'sod's law', or alternatively, 'railtouring in 2015'.

 

Just received the ticket. Load is 8 coaches + Kitchen + POB, so 10 overall. What's the possibility of having a diesel on the rear?