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Torbay Express 2019

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by 1020 Shireman, Feb 28, 2019.

  1. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    Hopefully Network Rail will make some kind of statement today with the Duchy on the 4th.
     
  2. Leslie10646

    Leslie10646 New Member

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    Nor, can I see any point either, as I was on it for the STEAM HAULAGE. This was in no way steam haulage.

    A meaningless exercise and a waste of a precious day. Apart from the pleasure of meeting up with friends.

    That said, I could have taken my friends out for a slap-up dinner instead and had change.

    £500 for a diesel tour (two of us, hotel, meals, getting to Bristol by train) is not my idea of using my limited cash sensibly.
     
  3. AnthonyTrains2017

    AnthonyTrains2017 Well-Known Member

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    Did they not offer refunds given the diesel on the front
     
  4. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    From the TBEL website. <BJ>

    [​IMG]
     
  5. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    They should actually be charging extra for the diesel on the front if you think about it!

    Who pays for the diesel fuel plus extra drivers?

    A few years ago they did give partial refunds if a diesel replaced the steam loco but now the preferred option seems to be to run the steam engine at all costs even if a diesel is effectively powering the train. This presumably absolves the tour operator from making any refunds.
     
  6. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    Should be the promoter as they chose to run the train despite the Steam Ban.
     
  7. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    Yes I agree - It's not so much that they choose to run the train, but that they choose to take a steam loco which is doing nothing that makes no sense to me, when the more sensible and cheaper option is to run with diesel only.
     
    26D_M likes this.
  8. AnthonyTrains2017

    AnthonyTrains2017 Well-Known Member

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  9. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    It's been said before and it will be said again, the vast number of passengers are happy to see a steam engine on the front and are not really concerned how much work it's doing.
     
  10. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    Same thing every year when TBEL run with diesels on the front when ?Steam Bans are in force. No refunds. There was a steam loco in the consist thing. Written, phoned, spoken to the owners and all you ever get is 'Read the Terms and Conditions'. No-one should be surprised anymore. It's a destination and off train features train that just happens to be advertised as Steam Hauled and is when it can be. Compelling front page of their website:

    Experience train travel as it used to be
    Our summer Sunday steam hauled train, named after the famous train that travelled between London Paddington and Torquay, follows the route of Brunel’s picturesque Great Western Railway, speeding across the Somerset levels and around the beautiful Devon coastline on one of the most enchanting railway journeys in the world....

    There was really nothing remotely steam hauled about Sunday. There really should be a 'subject to' statement prominently on the front page now as Fire Risk and Steam Bans are happening every year. We've asked for it many times but nothing changes. It's just a question of how much money we lose every year. At least I booked last Sunday's when the discount was available so only £219.50 down, not £230. Keeping the faith with TBEL is a costly venture but we enjoy the steam hauled runs when they happen. Not booked the two in August this year, just the final one on Sept. 8th. Haven't lost a September one to the weather yet......

     
    green five likes this.
  11. Dobbs0054

    Dobbs0054 Member

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    But is wasn't on the front...
     
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  12. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    I've removed a number of posts which are just sniping and serve no purpose in the thread. Just a reminder play nicely everyone!!!
     
  13. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    This train was the worst of the worst. Obviously we didn't travel and we haven't received anything in the way of an apology from TBEL for the manner in which the train was run. Wouldn't even have cost them anything as they have my email address. Great example of courtesy and customer care: not.
     
  14. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    I'm not on Facebook but I had a quick glance at the TBEL section and there is a full apology to customers who travelled on the Torbay Express. <BJ>

    ''Our first Torbay Express of the season has arrived into sunny Kingswear with 60009 Union of South Africa being piloted by 47802 as a result of a steam ban issued by Network Rail yesterday.
    Thanks to West Coast Railways and No 60009, Union of South Africa for getting us here.

    Apologies to all of our customers for the disappointment caused by no. 60009 not being at the front of the train due to operating and locomotive crew requirements''.
     
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  15. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    Caused me to wonder what they may have put on Twitter as although I did not travel I would never look at Facebook but I do read Twitter on my desktop.
    Nothing in the way of an apology although I did find this tweet from Sunday a little insensitive



    Final Countdown - It's TODAY - HOORAY - The 1st Torbay Express of 2019 - Please give us a wave as we steam past! http://torbayexpress.co.uk
     
  16. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    Don't do Facebook. That's the most pointless post as anyone who travelled would know!! Apart from the downright lie. The train was diesel hauled not piloted.
     
  17. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    TBEL are pretty upbeat about their first Torbay Express of the season.
    ''The first Torbay Express of this year via the Bath Spa route was very successful, despite the introduction of a steam ban by Network Rail late on Saturday afternoon.
    Thank you to everyone who has posted comments''.....I don't think they mean on National-Preservation.

    With just three tours remaining let's hope that the remainder are diesel free. <BJ>
     
  18. No.7

    No.7 Well-Known Member

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    Likely to be 60009 on Sunday I am told.
     
  19. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    TBEL didn't even bother checking with the ontrain folk to see who had travelled on the 28th. Got this today:
    TBEL002.jpg
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 7, 2019
  20. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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