RTC 2025

Not on their list of 2025 UK tours

https://www.railwaytouring.net/uk-2025

Are you sure you did not have that saved as an old link?

 

Dated Thursday 9th July 2026

 

It's definitely been cancelled I'm afraid. [BJ]

 

Well spotted @iwr as RTC seem to have not changed the webpage address.

 

It's not an old link. I just clicked on their view by month drop down option today and found it still listed in the calendar. It is still there now:


It is a real shame that the Anniversary trip has been cancelled this year. It used to be a highlight of the RTC programme. We travelled on several of the End of SR Steam Anniversary trips in the past.
Two of the best from recent years were with LMS motive power.
The first visit South of 46115 for the 2010 trip ensured it sold out quickly. The trip operated during another heatwave with fire risk dictating that a Class 47 tagged along. Also out on the same day was 30777 (with a diesel tucked in behind the tender) on a SD excursion. The steam locomotive crews were told to let the diesels do all the work. I don't think the message made it to the crews of 46115 though as we had a cracking day behind the Scot as it roared to the Coast and back. The Class 47 only helped through the New Forest section. It was a memorable day out for several reasons including the performance but also for the friendly RTC stewardesses:



The other excellent 9th July run was with 45699 Galatea in 2016 when she stood in for the unavailable Bulleid Pacifics that were originally rostered. 45699 provided a memorable performance throughout along with a soundtrack of the glorious Jubilee roar (video below). A particular highlight was the high speed dash from Basingstoke back to Woking on the return run.




Sent from my XQ-BT52 using Tapatalk

 

I have let Kelly know it still shows on the calendar page.

Always nice to see "The Dobinettes" as we used to call them.

 

Yes, unusual attire for a driver and fireman, but nice to see.

Bryan

 

'End of Southern Steam' on 9 July cancelled owing to there being no steam loco available, but would it have been allowed to run with steam anyway, given the fire risk, I wonder. Forecast to be the chance of some light rain at the weekend, but not really much relief from the drought in sight.

 

With the New Forest and Dorset heathlands to pass through I somewhat doubt it.

 

The blonde one, whose name I have sadly forgotten, was an art student and often chatted to my wife about art. Anyone know if she qualified and what she is doing now?

 

Anyone know what the issue was at Euston this morning with the Llandudno trip?

 

No, but it's still stuck at Crewe where steam was supposed to take over.

45212 coupling up at the moment, 11.53am.

 

Not sure it is as much as that Ralph. Reversed on the Chester triangle on the outbound leg, so I think about 90 for the steam mileage.

 

Yesterday's Llandudno train returning past Beeston Castle. A faint trace of steam was the only clue the loco was even in steam, the diesel pushing on the other hand left a trail of black across the countryside.
I was last here two years ago for Clun Castle, I reckon that by next year the view across the lock gates will be totally obscured.

 

Times for 60163 KX - York next Saturday now on RTT.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U57057/2025-07-12/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U57058/2025-07-12/detailed

Out via Hertford, back via Lincoln after reversal at Gascoigne Wood. Not a bad path at times on the outwards, if you ignore the two hours it takes to get from Newark to Doncaster! Hope the air con is working week - 70 minutes sitting in loops in the middle of the day won't be a lot of fun otherwise.

 

And steam off at PBO on the return; E&C to NVR:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U57054/2025-07-12/detailed

 

Weather forecast for 11:30 at Retford Saturday 25C-26C , If same stock as was on SSE the other week then i dont hold much hope for functioning A/C