RTC 2023

Probably, but depends on which tour you are thinking of and how many still to pick up and if a steam or diesel leg.

 

£30 off per person offer for November 29th's Manchester Xmas Express - discount code MXD.

 

I believe that live tweeting of hearings is allowed - I’ve seen that from a number of cases, notably to do with Postmasters and the Allison Bailey/Garden Court hearing. I don’t know what the procedural rules are - perhaps one for @Robin Moira White or anyone else experienced in courtroom etiquette.


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Agreed.a fifty mile trip, that is about 20 quid by service train. The fares for these excursions are getting beyond the joke nowadays.

 

Tour fares may have increased, but that is what it costs to run on the network.
Remember your 20 quid service train fare is subsidised by the tax payer (if you asked the Treasury I am sure they would tell you they would prefer it not be, and increased accordingly).

 

Normal trains can also offer a cheaper fare because the seat can be sold multiple times on the same journey for different parts of the trip. A charter train has to make all its money on one round trip.

 

A very valid point and of course on a service train you are not guaranteed a seat and within reason you can have as many standing as you can fit in.
The two products are indeed considerably different.

 

44871 at St Neots, Newark and Doncaster, sharing tracks with her sister 45231:

 

Two Black Fives to York on Saturday 18th November - with footage from York and Peterborough after dark, and 44871 at Helpston and Carlton on Trent.

 

44871 looking as much the same today as it did on Saturday at the head of the Cardiff Christmas Express at Victoria, Andy Hawkins and Fraser Birrell on the footplate this morning

 

Passed it between Ashford and Feltham on my way into Waterloo. More noise from the back than the front!

 

Passing through Clapham Junction and Virginia Water this morning:

 

44871 racing through Haresfield with the 'Cardiff Christmas Express' this morning.

 

Issues in Reading area?

Friend reports train passed him 47 hauled this evening after a delay..

 

Yes that was the plan.
44871 & PO brake booked as 5Z31 14+45 Pengam Sdgs to St Philips Marsh depot ready for 25/11 Bristol TM - Chester & return.

Cheers, Neil

 

Ah fair enough, thanks for the info!

 

A good time to sum up todays trip on the Cardiff Xmas Express

Whilst not the sort of itinerary to impress the hardcore enthusiast with steam haulage one way and diesel assistance on the rear it was still an enjoyable trip, it was one where the people onboard made the trip over anything else

Big thank you’s to all the RTC stewards onboard today, especially to Henry and Les for looking after me and @JDTTRAINS in 1st Class, a very quiet one in our carriage not even half full, also a thank you to the guard on the return Mel Cox for the enjoyable chats about all things and everything!

The return east of Reading was hampered by getting the wrong road towards the GWML which meant a detour into the Kennet Passenger Loop before reversing back into platform 14

Look forward to travelling more on RTC next year!

 

Gloucester stop

 

Email received earlier this afternoon to say that the "Manchester Christmas Market" train on 29th November is cancelled due to insufficient bookings