Vintage Trains - First trips with Clun Castle

Is there a option to join the cotswold explorer at moor street or is the joining station only snow hill in brum?

 

We're booked on the Devonian too. Can't do the Chester as we're on the A1SLT's White Rose, and we can't do the CE on May 18 as we're booked on the CME. So much for shareholders being able to do the first run with Clun. Still with a bit of luck by the May 25th Welsh Marches the need for the Cl47 on the rear will have passed. We're already booked on that tour.

 

http://www.vintagetrains.co.uk/tour/cotswold-explorer-with-no-7029-clun-castle-saturday-18th-may/3

 

This is interesting. They clearly expected a clamour for tickets hence the staggered booking but it turns out not enough people were interested enough to book and the train is cancelled. Timings were clearly an issue but I’m sure the diesel on the back played its part too.

 

Perhaps not. A mention was made of passengers not having enough time to make travel and hotel arrangements. Bit of both I'd guess. Many of my friends won't travel with a diesel in the consist. Our reason for supporting VT in the past and the new organisation for now and into the future is the running of 'proper' mainline steam, mainly with Great Western Locomotives up front.

 

I think the pricing may have had something to do with it, too. Some friends of mine, who've enjoyed Sunday lunch on the Shakespeare Express a number of times in the past, decided that First Class Dining at £250 was not in their league. Seats at that price do sell, but it's perhaps a different "market sector" from VT's existing customers?

 

Has anyone received their tickets today for the trip to Worcester on 7th May I haven't, any chance the tickets may come Wednesday or Thursday morning because when I did the Polar Express and got them the day before but had to ring vintage ticket enquiries to hurry them up.

 

It's usual to receive tickets from VT a couple of days before the day of the tour. If they haven't come in tomorrow's post I would maybe give their office a call to check.

 

The level of emotion surrounding the diesel in the consist is really surprising. I'd much rather see and support steam on the main line with the diesel than not at all. I've never been keen on them behind the tender (i.e. on a fire risk job) but on the rear of the train it isn't uncommon these days. Tyseley are fantastic engineers, 7029 is a fantastic machine restored to a very high standard but even then I don't see why the diesel is a surprise. The days of Thunderbirds sitting around ready to go in the event of a loco failure are over. A bit of insurance wouldn't hurt on the first 'long distance' runs with an engine overhauled to this level, rather than the diesel sat at Tyseley, especially with so much at stake and so many watching

As for the pricing issues, I'm guessing that the increase has been necessary due to the increased costs incurred by going it alone and the cost of setting up the new company

I think the days of knocking engines around and going as fast as you can, up hills as steep as you can, with trains as heavy as you can is over. From a mechanical sympathy perspective, I'm happy to see 7029 being broken in gently with a diesel there just in case

Personally I'm going to continue to support them and keep thinking positively. Good luck VT!

 

An extremely sensible, supportive and realistic post. Well said

 

Not bothered about a diesel on or off back its just one of those things, until Vintage get their own stock of Mk1,s revamped for main line use, but it does put die hard steam buffs off with a diesel attached to the back. We have to persevere with that for now unless they get a generator carriage. But for me to travel on the 7029 that hauled 1 of the last trains from Paddington before end of B.R. Steam and hauled the last train to Birkenhead does it for me.

 

7th May, maybe you need to wait until May.....

 

Have now moved my booking to the Cotswold Express on 18th May. VT customer service as prompt and efficient as usual. Every time I have had cause to contact them, which admittedly hasn't been often, they've always been polite and professional.

 

You have made the point so much better than I've tried to! Maybe about 15 years or so ago you could get away without a diesel in the consist but unfortunately today having a vac braked loco spare at somewhere like Crewe, Didcot, Saltley or Tyne Yard dosn't happen!

 

As you probably know, the White Rose on 27th has now been cancelled so I guess you're good to go for the Chester trip on that day!

 

Only if the Class 47 is staying on shed.

 

How about if it's 1015?

 

Still a diesel. Only put up with them with DB when they are unmanned. Can only do that with air braked trains.

 

please, does anyone have a gradient profile for the Birmingham to Worcester route via Kidderminster, ready for tomorrow’s run?

Hoping my ticket arrives today!

Peter on a grey Manchester morning

 

Something like this do for you Peter?