Vintage Trains - 2021

The Shakespeare Express yesterday at Hall Green, Lapworth, Henley and Wilmcote

 

Not going too well today. The Llandudno trip has got as far as Bordesley loop.

 

20s declared a failure apparently, to be dragged back into Tyseley, then 47 forward.

 

Brake issue with the 20’s. Awaiting rescue to take us back to Tyseley. 47 will take us onto Llandudno.

 

The woes of Vintage Trains continue. You have to feel sorry for them. The quicker that their reliable steam operation restarts the better. <BJ>

 

Tour now to be terminated on arrival back at Tyseley.

 

Wouldn't be running at all this year if it wasnt for the diesels! Any news on when 7029 might make a return?

 

Its all rather ironic as the planned diesels trips were probably their way of easing back into operations.

 

From RTT "This service was cancelled between Bordesley Jn and Llandudno due to a problem with the traction equipment (MD)."
Presumably the idea of setting off again with the 47 was impractical.
Refunding all the fares will hurt.

 

I thought it was the diesel that went pop.

Seriously though, if there's a class 40, a Deltic or a Western railtour in my area I'll be there to see it, rain or shine. This morning was unfortunate. <BJ>

 

It is Friday before this Sunday's Shakespeare Express to Stratford. Vintage Trains' website shows no indication of the traction. I would have thought that the 'ordinaries' out there will assume steam and that many diesel enthusiasts would like to have 20s. My wife checked on Monday and was told it would be the Type 1s. So why the secrecy? I am very disappointed in this and surprised that Michael hasn't seen to be more upfront. It can only lead to loss of business from the the folks who like elderly diesels and loss of confidence from the general public who rightly or wrongly expected a steam train.

 

According to Steam Railway they hoping to resume its planned rail tours from September


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Reported elsewhere it's going to be the 20s again this weekend.

 

The autumn trips I think attract more of an enthusiast element than perhaps the Shakespeares which might attract more of an occasional family type. That's my concern that those passengers may be left feeling let down/misled. From my own view I sincerely hope the steam is back in the autumn as I'm booked on several.

 

No secrecy. It’s been advertised as 20’s to those travelling, however with work continuing apace to see Clun available for traffic, definitive confirmation has been held until we are certain what will be on the front.

 

Again I stand to be corrected if I'm not looking at the webpage in the right way but if there is nothing on the booking page then that is secrecy in my estimation. I don't quite understand the logic in letting people book and then telling them unless it's to hope they don't cancel the booking or seek a refund. Maybe people would have come from afar and arranged travel and overnight stays which would all have to be unravelled. I would like to know the reason why it does not appear to be on the web booking form when seemingly known so far in advance.

 

The only mention I have seen from them was on Facebook when they said the first two trips would be diesel


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I do share the view that the impression given is that this is a day out with steam. I still recall how disappointed my sister and her family were a couple of years ago when their trip on the NYMR was hauled both ways by what she angrily described to me as a 'tatty blue diesel'.

It may be the way it was reported in Steam Railway but it suggests that Michael Whitehouse's view is that people dont really mind what is pulling the train. That's a strange statement to make on behalf of an operation that aspires to have 3 Castles and a Hall available! Are VT doing anything to try and source an alternative loco for the Shakespeares? 45305 was used for Christmas trains- could it be made available? Or 45596?

 

We have now confirmed double headed class 20’s via our Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/343014035819220/posts/4308519272601990/?d=n

 

But where from?
There is a serious shortage of locos at the moment as shown by the cancellation of the DCE yesterday due to a lack of a loco. Add to that the segmentation within the market and certain locos being aligned to specific TOC's then there is not many "guns for hire" floating around, especially in the summer when the Riley fleet is usually, as this year, in Scotland.
But I do agree that the website should show diesel not steam when it is planned rather than a last minute failure.