Vintage Trains 2022

Feedback is always taken on board. Provisional times were asked for, these have been updated for the first trips, and will be included with the remaining program too.

In addition, the spec submitted for the S&C trip does include no diesel on steam legs.

 

No diesel assistance or no diesel included in the formation ?

 

No diesel in the consist after Hellifield.

 

Hi Will, it is really good to see VT taking customer feedback onboard regarding provisional times and when a diesel will or will not ben attached to the train.

May I mention one more request? Getting through Birmingham to Tyseley to board the train is a great challenge for many. Whenever you can provide a pickup or set down point in the outskirts, that makes it so much easier, especially if near a motorway!

I hope very much to be able to travel with VT later this year.

Peter on a grey January day in Manchester
https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

Couldn't agree more. Being a Mid-Wales based shareholder, pick ups in the West Midlands such as Wolverhampton (excellent transport links) or Stourbridge Jnc (large free car park) are a major advantage.

 

Hi Will, this change of heart is to be applauded. For the Chester Venturer trip, it would be useful to have the provisional arrival/departure times for Chester, or at least an indication of how many hours in Chester passengers may anticipate.

Nick M.

 

Some more trips have been added today to Oxford plus D400 to Carlisle and Class 20s to Llandudno

 

I've booked on the Welsh Marches and the Cotswold one so far. The one to York on 17th June strikes me as being exceptional value for money. The Duchess from Tyseley to York and the class 47 from York to Tyseley for £50. Yes it's only steam one way but it's still a fair distance, and with the Duchess to boot. £50 seems a bargain to me.

 

An interesting trip to Newcastle over two days, also with the Duchess.

 

The Welsh Marches on Saturday 5th March has had a Birmingham New Street pickup and Snow Hill drop off added.

 

That makes a massive difference, thanks VT.

 

Times are on RTT as well, nice and early.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U64103/2022-03-05/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U64102/2022-03-05/detailed

 

Good to finally see a clear run up Hatton Bank unlike the last two showers we had up there.

 

Cracking set of timings there all round, looks to be New St to Wolverhampton direct as well, will be a first for me with steam.

 

It is great to have this information from VT - approximate timings and pickup/dropoff in Central Birmingham inspire confidence in those who travel from afar to join the train. So after years of diffidence I have booked a Pullman seat and look forward to travelling in the new Eagle Pullman.

I hope others will be encouraged by VT's welcome burst of customer responsiveness.

And can we please have approximate timings for some of the later trips eg Cardiff on 11 June?

Peter on a sunny Manchester afternoon
https://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/

 

Don’t think I can get to this one but maybe the Welsh Marches now it has a Birmingham pick up. But will it take a diesel with it?

 

Because VTL operate a vacuum braked only set they generally have to have a secondary locomotive present or nearby to enable the set to be rescued should it need it. There are very few dual braked locomotives left on the network these days and most other operators seem to operate with a similar policy now, certainly WCRC and LSL I've seen trundling around with a diesel on the rear. I think a diesel not being present in the formation is generally an exception rather than a rule these days, the cost of delaying other services can be eye watering. It can be done however, the Shakespeares always run without a second loco and the Lickey Incline tours in 2021 ran without a diesel in the formation.

 

CMEs? Clan Line?