Vintage Trains - 2021

Vintage Trains return to the mainline for 2021. A varied mix of traction to a range of destinations.

Website to be updated, information publicly available on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/343014035819220/posts/3603853223068602/?d=n


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I'm liking the sound of EE Type 1s over the Heart of Wales line

 

Sadly I cannot see 20206 being one of them though .

 

Looks like a great programme. Hopefully they'll allow single bookings. I notice from the Facebook post that Standard isn't listed as an available option so presumably they've gone the Saphos route and removed it entirely. Looking forward to seeing all the details on their website in the next few weeks.

 

They have listed a class called tourist so that is probably standard.

 

The translation would be:
Pullman - Premier Dining
Club - First Class non Dining (light meals offered)
Tourist - Standard Class

 

Sadly they have yet to update their own website, which still says "COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update 26th March 2020 and "latest news" from July.

 

It does say on the post that bookings will go live on the website on 23rd December.

Looks a really interesting schedule of tours. Plenty of the tried and tested routes, some a little different and a greater variety of motive power than were used to from VT.

 

Highlight for me looks to be Duchess Of Sutherland on the Lickey bank on a summers evening (19th June). Personally, I can't get excited about class 20 diesels, but each to their own ... ;-)

 

For the purists... the appearance of a diesel on the back has also been advertised. The following excursions are expected to have a diesel tag along.

- North Wales Coast Express, to assist with heading the train between Chester and Llundudno
- White Rose, heading the train to York and tagging along for the journey back to base at Tyseley
- Scarborough Spa Express, operational reasons
- Midland Bristolian, rules regarding banking and loads on Lickey (though the intent is to open the diesel up only if needed)

It is hoped the rest of the steam program will see pure steam haulage. This may change dependent on operational needs.

 

Could be worse. You could have a Pacer... I guess somebody has to love them.

 

I thought this was a joke until I saw VT's latest Facebook post!

 

Indeed. Truth is really stranger than fiction on occasion. All I can say is good luck to them, but having had my 144 fix on a Leeds-Elsecar run once, I think I'm happy to leave it at that.

 

And here they are arriving at Tyseley.
(Warning to @Victor, this picture may cause you some distress).
OK, the West Midlands is unfamiliar territory for the 144s, but it rather scary to read that VT are hoping to get clearance for the things to run on the Worcester/Birmingham Snow Hill/Stratford-upon-Avon corridor!
Shakespacer Express perhaps?

 

Be interesting to see how they cope with Old Hill Bank.

 

Up or down?

 

In Black Country dialect it’s known as ‘Owd ill bonk’ I’ll leave it to you to decide up or down

 

Only probably the same like leaving Bradford interchange towards leeds via laisterdyke station or Man vic up miles platting up approx 1 in 50 inclines the 142,s and 144,s coped on some of our hilly lines ok in W, Yorks like the Sheffield Leeds service via the dearne valley line and after wakefield westgate on the 3 mile ex G.N. line climb up to ardsley tunnel.

 

Downhill on old hill alot of buck and shuttling as i know riding em up here in yorks from experience, up a hell of alot of growling from the engine from anyone who knows what it were like on a pacer.

 

My copy of the FoVT magazine arrived today and gives the marketing spiel:

• Pullman: A full restaurant car service in our authentic Pullman Cars is included with your ticket. Depending on the tour and time of day this service includes: full English breakfast, three course lunch, afternoon cream tea or a four course evening dinner, all served at your seat together with fine wines, beers, tea & coffee.
• Private Compartment in Club: Seating in Club compartments for four people at a premium over the Club fare. Full restaurant car service available, served at your seat.
• Club: Seating at tables for two or four people. Full restaurant car service available, served at your seat.
• Tourist: Seating at tables for two or four in our Tourist Open carriages originally built for the electrification of the West Coast Main Line. Bacon rolls, buffet meals, light refreshments, wine, beer, teas & coffees can be ordered for delivery to your seat.

I assume a single will have to book a table for 2 but we won't know for sure, or what the costs will be, until bookings go live.