RTC 2024

The small amount of people bothered by this are this forum.
99% don't care as long as the train runs and a % of them that it runs and the food offering is decent.
Trains aren't run for this forums benefit

 

I'm sure those who have booked on it will by now have received either a partial refund or a discount off a future trip. Given where the tour is going, I also think a majority will have booked on it purely for the destination, rather than the traction or routing.

 

If most of the customers don't care whether the traction is steam or diesel, how come the promoters are able to charge higher fares when it's steam?

 

I'm not sure there is much of a 'steam premium' these days, Pathfinder are charging £135 for a trip out with class 40..

 

So why was Kelly Osborne publically thanking David Smith for prioritising RTC trips over their own West Coast excursions in the latest railway mags this month?

 

I do not see this perceived higher price for steam, unless you are referring to the LSL Intercity vs Saphos pricing.
UKR trip to Blackpool Saturday was £129 std, £189 first
Pathfinder Edinburgh on 23rd £135/£199
RTC today's Armistice Trip £115/£225, but I believe they may have moved to 2025 pricing already.


So a WCME with Les Ross and steam, is less than Les Ross to Blackpool in standard last weekend.

 

It appears that The Chester Christmas Express from Scarborough has been removed from the website too.

 

In business, there are circumstances when it's best to be polite and keep the peace. <BJ>

 

44871 on todays Armistice Express, seen at Bearsted, Charing, Ashford, Sturry, Dover seawall, Folkestone and Otford:

 

I confess I haven't looked closely at current prices but I thought I had seen mutterings somewhere on this forum of prices being somewhat higher for steam. If nothing else, someone has to pay for a fireman and the cost of taking a support coach.

 

16th Nov, White Rose….44871 I believe. Note return is diesel hauled to Gascgoine Wood, before reversing with the steam taking charge.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U32830/2024-11-16/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U32833/2024-11-16/detailed


23rd Nov Edinburgh Market Trip out…..Fairly standard path to Edinburgh, the return sees another pathing stop added at Dunbar….

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U34661/2024-11-23/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U34664/2024-11-23/detailed

 

You certainly had a busy day, but well worth it.
Interesting watching the departure from Dover as you can see exactly when the diesel kicked in.

 

More importantly, you can see the exact moment the crew spotted totty on the foot bridge!

 

My own take away from yesterday's Armistice Day Express: crossing Eynsford Viaduct.

 

She has also said she expects the MK1s to return next year

 

Let's see if she is party to some information no one else seems to be aware of.

 

No, they are not, per se, but this is a discussion forum and comments have formed part of a...discussion.

 

Plus, I imagine, the cost differential between coal (the the logistics around its loading, etc.) and diesel fuel.