Vintage Trains 2022

Dismal light, at least the rain had eased off at Yatton.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/52308448655

 

A short clip of 50050 today....
50050 Fearless on a Vintage Trains tour to Plymouth. - YouTube

 

Over on "the other forum" they're moaning about the 47 shovage from the back, so it's nice to see it's not just the steam enthusiasts that detest it.

 

Anyone into superior traction but big Sulzer enthusiasts will ALWAYS complain about a spoon.

 

Action from a todays Shakespeares at Moor Street, Shrewley and Hatton. With the Castle sounding good at the latter two.




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Not seen any times for Saturdays trip to Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog yet, but VT's website now suggesting a much longer day than originally advertised, but with steam all the way through to Llandudno junction - anyone got any further information?

No complaints from me for the extra steam mileage but could be a long day for my mum and daughter!

 

Tour cancelled apparently due to gauging issues, explains the late issue of timings...

VT were only emailing about the tour this morning pushing last few seats, so this is very late notice by Network Rail.

 

NR have had how much notice of the route and loco?

 

Curious, Saturday should have seen both 7029 & 6233 work to Chester as indeed they both did on 26th March.
I wonder what has changed in 5 months or is this a gauging problem between Chester and Llandudno ?

 

Shakespeare came in to Stratford with no diesel. Off for a quickee to Birmingham and back as a birthday treat after a long day ‘in the saddle’ yesterday on the Pathfnder/Tangmere jaunt to Carlisle.

 

I’m sure there’s a joke to be had about walking like John Wayne after you and your friend had a long day in the saddle and a birthday treat and but to hell I won’t be doing it.
The toilets in the Joint Stock are good for a quickee though then you can go get a pint and use them afterwards

 

Yes, straight to the Stratford Ale House when we return from Snow Hill.

 

The last Shakespeare of the season, which saw 7029 fly solo




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Timings out for Saturday's Liverpool trip
Outbound and return about an hour earlier than originally advertised. VT's Facebook post suggesting that there'll be some Fast Line running due to lack of other trains getting in the way.

Out: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U54607/2022-09-10/detailed
Return: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U54610/2022-09-10/detailed

Turning moves (appears to be turning on the Earlestown triangle)
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U54608/2022-09-10/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U54609/2022-09-10/detailed

 

Very lengthy email from VT regarding cancellation of the North Wales Coast trip. Too long to reproduce here, but suffice to say they are not at all happy with the service from Network Rail and are in ongoing discussions to avoid a repeat.

Issue appears to surround the late issue of an annual gauging certificate for Clun Castle by Network Rail (which assists VT in planning trips), plus the need to manually check two locations between Chester and Llandudno, one of which still wasn't completed by last Wednesday - VT had no choice to pull the plug as timings couldn't be confirmed.

Apparently Clun is now confirmed as fitting to all other locations for rest of the year.
It is welcome transparency from a tour operator, even if a bit of dirty laundry is being aired!

 

On another note I did try to change my booking to 15th October 'Cotswold Express' to Oxford, however, VT were unable to sell me a child or family fare for this train. Seems children are only welcome on the summer explorer trains or Shakespeare Express. The express trains were described as 'adult only' to me on the phone, I can see no reference to this policy on their website other than the lack of a concessionary fare.

I wonder if this is part of a general trend to maximise income, as my parents have noted 'senior' prices are disappearing from many attractions - including heritage railways.

I first got the mainline steam bug when I was my daughters age and the Oxford trip seemed ideal to take her on as it isn't too long a day. Unfortunately it would cost me an extra £100 for the Oxford trip as opposed to Llandudno, too much of a mark up.

This is disappointing as my daughter particularly wanted to experience a mainline steam run again, so I suspect we will use our refund elsewhere now.