Welsh Mountaineer 19/07/22 (now cancelled)

received tickets for this today, confirmed as 46115 Scots Guardsman

out
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U66266/2022-07-19/detailed
return
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U66260/2022-07-19/detailed

Neil

 

Should be a few degrees cooler in that part of the world, the envy of many no doubt, including the footplate crews.

 

Does anyone know please if there will be a F.R. service at Blaenau Ffestiniog during the period we are there 13:00 to 16:00?
Thanks in advance
Neil

 

The 'Mountain Spirit' service is due to arrive 15.45.

 

Thanks, thats cutting it a bit fine, so 3 hours in Blaenau Ffestiniog, much to see?

 

The VT trip on 3rd September and the various LSL trips all have a special FR charter to Tan y Bwlch and back that passengers can pay extra for. I'm guessing that RTC never made the arrangements with the FR to put on a charter.

 

My reading of the Ffestiniog timetable is that there are still restrictions on what you can book. On my visit, I walked to Tan-y-Grisiau and caught the train back, but I'm not sure you can do that at the moment. Blaenau in 30 degrees---it's an historic moment and a tough one.

 

It's possible to buy singles (only) for journeys not catered for in their current set-up, i.e. you can get on at Blaenau and travel out and back. But you have to buy singles and it's best to buy in advance to be sure of getting seats.
But the fare to do the line in reverse (Blaenau to coast) works out as £60 from two singles, rather than the £40 in the "approved" direction.
I wonder if they'll revert to the old timetable and pricing next year, or whether that's it under the current management at least.

 

I was able to purchase a £40 return ticket to Porthmadog this week (from the guard, on the day), starting from Blaenau. As I understood it, there was one carriage for pay on the day users, or those using intermediate stations.

 

I agree may be rather unpleasant. Assuming you believe trains may run to time (unlikely) it does seem to be possible to do the tour in a (very long) day from London if you go to and from Chester.

 

Now then, that's interesting ... that's not what customer services told us on Monday, by email:

"... not possible to book a return journey from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog. ... On the days when there are two departures of the Mountain Spirit, however, travelling the full extent of the line, it is possible to join the return leg of the first departure and the outward leg of the second. ... This requires booking two one way places... The cost of one way travel on the Mountain Spirit journey is £30 per adult and £2 per child."

Seems we made the mistake of asking centrally, rather than just turning up and trusting the booking office person/staff to know their fare table. Good to know, however. Thanks!

 

From a number of threads the lack of visibility (or information) of what may or not be available if you do not want a "preferred offering" seems quite common.
I wonder how many potential passengers get turned away because of it. Strange as I would have thought every line would want to grab every penny they can get in the current climate.

 

Tour cancelled just received email from RTC

 

Disappointing, Was any reason cited?

 

With regards to your booking on our Welsh Mountaineer on Tuesday 19th July we are writing to advise that after consultation with Network Rail, who have instructed that there is to be no steam operated on the main rail network that day, and our operating company we have decided to cancel the trip.


The decision from Network Rail would have resulted in the day being diesel hauled throughout and with the health advice and guidance being issued at present for Tuesday, we feel that it is in the interest for you our customer, our onboard staff including the catering team and that of the train operating crew to forego our plans on this occasion.


We acknowledge that this late cancellation will undoubtedly cause you disappointment for which we apologise but we hope that you understand the circumstances surrounding our decision which are outside of our control.

 

So 2 Jacobites that will be diesel hauled as well then. Or is that different because they are not in the red or amber warning zone?