The Peppercorn Phoenix, 60163, 31 December 2015.

Cancelled, due to lack of bookings.

http://www.a1steam.com/index.php?op...enix-cancelled&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=123

 

Damn! I'd just persuaded the Mrs. to change our usual News Year's Eve meal for a trip behind 60163. Some required steam mileage goes begging again.

 

A1SLT mention in their release confirming the cancellation of this trip that issues of geography (start point/ route / destination) would potentially have a big bearing on the future planning of its tours to ensure a level of commercial viability that has clearly eluded the Phoenix. But I suspect that in this case, it would have been the timing of New Years Eve that would have been a key factor in the lack of support reported for this trip - probably a bridge too far for many with domestic commitments and plans to share an evening of celebrations with family and friends. Or maybe even concerns about post-excursion homeward-bound onward travel on this particular evening. Certainly the former was true in my case, and I consider myself fortunate that my own "Plan B" - the Silver Jubilee Talisman - turned out to be, for the most part, a real treat.

Any other day and it would probably have been different. Previous outings operated by UK Railtours - from London (as indeed the Phoenix would have been) - on the penultimate day of the year seem to have been successful in recent years, such as Tornado's Paddington-Stratford "William Shakespeare" outing in December 2011, and last December's "Bittern Farewell" from Kings Cross to Lincoln. After A1SLT's experience with this tour, I wonder whether the same concerns about New Year's Eve would influence, say, the Deltic Preservation Society's thinking if in the future they ever planned to mark a significant anniversary of 55019 bringing down the final curtain on Deltic main line operations in BR service with the 16.30 Aberdeen-York on 31st December 1981. In many ways, this would be a similar kind of event to that which A1 SLT had hoped to mark, and no less significant as far as the Deltic enthusiast fraternity are concerned.

Two real positives from this, though. Firstly, the decisiveness and thoughtful consideration of A1SLT in making the announcement at this stage, seven weeks ahead of the tour date, rather than going for a "Wait-and-See" option, which must be really helpful to those like Spamcan81 who will now be making alternative arrangements. Top marks for this!

And secondly, the concurrent announcement of the "Devon Belle" Waterloo-Exeter via Honiton outing with Tornado next April. Given the outstanding levels of knowledge of/ interest in/ enthusiasm for this route that is perpetually exhibited by prominent contributors to this forum, I can't wait to see the informed interpretations of provisional schedules, and the build-up of anticipation for this tour; all of which must surely justify a new thread in its own right, and hopefully in the not-too-distant future.

 

I like the sound of the Devon Belle trip.

 

Wrong date with poor catchment area. Had it run new years day, I suspect take up would have been higher.

 

Agree with you about the date, but not sure about the catchment area. The train was starting from London (Finsbury Park).

 

I was looking forward to doing something different on New Year's Eve. I gave up going to NYE parties a long while ago - too many hangovers - so now me and my good lady stay in, cook a nice meal and enjoy some fine wine while waiting for the clock to strike midnight. The trip would have allowed us to be back home well in time to see in the New Year.

 

The date was a key issue for me. At this moment I'm not sure which country I will be in on NYE. But I was giving this serious consideration if I am around. However not knowing what time the last tubes are on NYE back from Finsbury Park, would have probably prevented me from booking until TfL have something more concrete on their website.

 

deleted

 

was it? it was poorly advertised then, all I can see is "york to newcastle"

 

You have good reason to! I was on a "Devon Belle" run by UK Railtours in August of last year - slightly different route as it started from Paddington and went via the Berks & Hants to Castle Cary, then Yeovil- Exeter (break) - Taunton - Newbury - Paddington. It was an outstanding run - 12 coaches, no diesel and a scintillating performance - especially the climb of Honiton Bank in wet, slippery conditions when 60163 didn't lose its feet even once. If next April's offering is anything like as good, it will be an outstanding day out.

 

Low steam mileage, poor choice of date, catchment area is not a argument that can be used, as it starts in Kings X.

Combination really of above, 4 of us asked about joining at York, going to Newcastle, back to York, then service train home, never got a reply......

 

IF, it had been steam out of Kings X, to Newcastle, back to York, drop off Tornado, and then back to Kings X, it would have stood a better chance.

However the date, and peoples desires to be home for NYE, would have been scuppered by a late finish.

Hard juggling act from that point of view, to me, doomed from the start, not enough steam, and wrong date..

 

That would have been this one:

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t14/t0825a.htm

absolutely agree,a superb trip - one of the best I have ever been on. Hope the Waterloo departure on next years proposed offering doesnt "complicate" things!

 

Just goes to show how we all have different requirements for a steam tour. The steam mileage for me was adequate as I've never been north out of Newcastle by steam and the Blyth and Tyne with steam was the deal maker for me as it was route rather than total mileage I was after. Arrival back as Stevenage wasn't too late for me either but I can see why those who would be going to NYE parties would have reservations regarding that. Shame really as I don't get to do too many steam runs and this one ticked the boxes. C'est la vie.

 

Take it is going to NRM for winter maintenance again, after the run, strange no other offers of mainline work from 12th December to 31st December for a loco that performs so well.