Vintage Trains 2022

Fair enough Al, but that’s 7 trips over 3 years, how much of that infrastructure that was used to support those could be used today?

 

I went on seven main line trips in that time frame as well, with an eighth on October 3rd 1971.

Mind you I had to go to the Victorian capital of Melbourne for these trips, the first being on 7/2/71. The tables have turned somewhat since then.

Peter

 

By all accounts bar 2, an absolutely grand day out, now will a certain member put that in his column?

 

Short answer; drives me nuts!

Long answer; you have in your country, access to the greatest mainline steam spectacular on earth. Try making a list of all the steam locomotives that have done mainline tours in say, the last 10 years - absolute magnificent thoroughbreds, every one (perhaps not the panniers!). 60, 70, 80, 90, 100mph.

Bemoaning the use of diesels is pointless. The reasons why they are used have been discussed ad infinitum. The details are actually irrelevant because it is just this simple - the diesel is there because the tour would not go ahead without it. If you don’t like it, don’t buy a ticket and stay home and watch re-runs of Ready, Steady, Cook. If you happen to find yourself at the line side when a stonking great express engine roars by, then do yourself, (and everyone else), a favour as the 8th coach whizzes past, turn around quickly, stick your fingers in your ears, and sing ‘Land of hope and glory’ until the diesel on the back is out of sight.

Here’s some context….and I absolutely love this engine that comes through my town with a tour every month or so. Sometimes with diesel, sometimes without. Sometimes only the diesel. With the greatest of respect to the dedicated team of hard working men and working who make it possible, a high stepping thoroughbred she is not, but you be the judge which mainline steam spectacle floats your boat:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1013253112934421

Some people need to remember which side their bread is buttered on….or that they have bread at all, butter or no.

 

Mate, I can only like this once. I’d also like a pint with you at some point

 

But I see no real difference to the I will not travel if it is not EE or Brush that the diesel folks talk about. None of these things come cheap and everyone is entitled to spend their money based on what their own personal preference is. Remember some people spend vast amounts over the course of a year on railtours.

 

Is Rood Ashton Hall banned from the mainline?

 

As it is currently out of service are there any plans to overhaul it?

 

Is 4936 Kinlet hall still going owned by Tyseley steam loco trust and to be used on the mainline for tours out of Tyseley with V.T. on completion of overhaul, or is it just going to be restricted to running on heritage branch lines only would anyone know?
It is a bit of a shame no C. Collett 2 cylinder 4.6.0. Loco,s are allowed on the national network to fly the flag for the western reigion if not.

 

It's owned by JJP down at the WSR now, but is being overhauled to go on the mainline, but no real details of what exactly have been made known.

 

We’ve now got clearance to run 7029 throughout on The White Rose (9th April). Tickets still available.

 

Nice! Extra steam miles is always good! A bonus for those already booked.

 

So only equivalent of 4 carriages yesterday (Mk2 BSO and Mk1 BFK I am counting as one carriage) on yesterday's trip to York (No thread on here!).

Do VT need to change their model? I don't think they've sold out a tour this year, bar the one down the Marches maybe, very rarely have we seen the full formation of Mk2 BSO, 4 Mk2 TSOs, Mk1 BFK, 3 Pullmans so far. I have had emails offering discounts, last minute seats etc.

 

If your touting yourself as a new VT Marketing Manager, I’m sure they’d love to see your CV

 

Maybe, but also might be a sign of the times? When I saw the Saphos York train north of Derby a few days earlier it had full rake of carriages but they were half full of passengers at best.