RTC 2019

My pictures from today, first passing Wadborough with the Malvern Hills in the distance:


The return climbs Campden Bank with steam to spare:

 

Unfortunately the signal wrecked what was looking to be a very decent climb of Sapperton Westbound. We'd hit the 1in100 at 64.5; dipped to 63.1 after 1/4m, but a bit of that was down to the amber signal as the brakes came on slowly. No immediate joy with the signal and we lost most of our momentum. Speed had fallen to 20.4 on the 1in94 before it cleared. Shame as to mp92 3/4 6233 was close to No9's run of the 16th February.

 

I was at the east end of Sapperton as the duchess came around the corner the signal had changed to green and the Duchess was opened up the noise from the exhaust was immense.

 

on return at Fladbury

 

hello
some pics from eckington and windmill hill at
https://www.flickr.com/photos/15931796@N00/with/48616476596/

 

My footage of the Duchess at speed at Bredon before climbing Campden Bank in the evening. I also filmed Clun Castle on the same day as well as an added bonus of Flying Scotsman today. I hope you enjoy it.

 

My footage of 7029 and 46233 at Bozards Lane Crossing. Thanks to all who made it possible.

 

Was going to do a report on the Venturer, comparing it with No.9 in February. Didn't realise until I watched the footage above that on Saturday we only had load 10, and 2 of them were empty. The only thing of interest was how much quicker 6233 with 10 would be than No.9 with 11 in February on Honeybourne Bank. Despite being seemingly worked well, she didn't. The Duchess passed Honeybourne at 62.4; No.9 at 57.4; Foot of the 1in100, 6233, 55; No.9, 55; mp100 6233, 52.8; No.9, 51; mp99 6233, 47.7; No.9, 49.1; Campden Tunnel in, 6233, 43.7; No.9, 47.3; Tunnel Out, 6233, 38.3; No.9, 45.6; Summit, 6233, 41.8; No.9, 45.6.

 

I was just looking at their day trips and noticed The Crewe Flyer on 5th Nov with Flying Scotsman.
Now I know that tours with this loco are dearer than normal but to me £144 for a standard class seat seems a bit steep, especially as the steam is one way only, the return is behind modern traction.

Dave B

 

What happened to the rail tours that used to be steam hauled to northbound and southbound diesel/electric hauled on such tours like this 1, alot that go to york from london nowdays are only steam hauled northbound such as the yorkshireman unlike the days of the white rose tours steam hauled north and back south

 

Yes I noticed that one. If that becomes the new 'normal' then that will be the end of me going on tours - everyone has a limit, and that is comfortably beyond mine.

Sent from my SM-J330FN using Tapatalk

 

RTC has 8 tours in November alone. The risk is that they are diluting their own market. There's a limit to what travellers will do in a month, even if they do broadly start in different regions in an attempt to tap different markets.

The Scotsman run in question is potentially interesting if it does run through Kilsby Tunnel, but the price, one-way steam run and destination are not doing it any favours. If 35018's cheaper positioning move was cancelled in July, I can see this going the same way.

 

But to Joe Public (but not me) FS has a far bigger draw than BIL ever will.

 

True, and a mystery to me too. Never worth the premium fare but that's what a lot of people want these days. Hype and Social Media rules.

 

As at present Duchess of Sutherland is booked for both of the Royal Duchys (1st and 15th September) and the Cheshireman on 7th September.

Union of South Africa is booked for the Dorset Coast Express on 5th September.

As we all know, things can change. News thanks to RYTC. <BJ>

 

If SR is correct then Flying Scotsmen attracts a substantial premium before it even turns a wheel, the higher fares covers higher costs and maybe not that much extra profit.

 

RTC have released their early 2020 programme, plenty of old favourites. Early bird discount of £20 if booked before 24th September on any 2020 tours (DTD).