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WCR Rail Tours

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by RalphW, Mar 4, 2025.

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  1. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    and to think not so long ago you had almost daily steam in the summer with Fellsman's , Dalesman's, Waverley's . pop in a West to East Scarborough and all hauled by Stanier Pacific's , Jubilee's, Royal Scots' and black fives .

    quite a massive change in the market
     
    Sidmouth, Jul 8, 2025
    #41
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  2. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Are we surprised?
     
    Big Al, Jul 8, 2025
    #42
  3. iancawthorne

    iancawthorne Well-Known Member

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    This year has dropped by more than 50% so far for tours over the S&C. By this date last year, there had been 24 tours. This year there have been 11.

    2022, 2023 and 2024 were quite similar in annual totals.
     
    iancawthorne, Jul 8, 2025
    #43
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  4. Alex Productions

    Alex Productions New Member

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    That's odd as when I checked just now it was still on the website.
     
    Alex Productions, Jul 8, 2025
    #44
  5. Oswald T Wistle

    Oswald T Wistle Well-Known Member Friend

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    Disappointing news, but with another hot, dry spell in the forecast steam may have been prohibited anyway. :(
     
    Oswald T Wistle, Jul 8, 2025
    #45
  6. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Info from the train manager, I was supposed to be working on it.
     
    RalphW, Jul 9, 2025
    #46
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  7. 61994

    61994 Member

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    Any word on what's happening with Tuesday's Chester dalesman?
     
    61994, Jul 18, 2025
    #47
  8. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Running but diesel hauled throughout, fire risk.
     
    RalphW, Jul 19, 2025
    #48
  9. 61994

    61994 Member

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    Thanks, was tempted by a last minute booking as I've found out I'm off work, but I'll give it a miss.
     
    61994, Jul 19, 2025
    #49
  10. 45698Mars

    45698Mars New Member

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    So what's happened to Tornado?
     
    45698Mars, Jul 19, 2025
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  11. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Well-Known Member

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    Id assume being kept over that way for the Tynesider next weekend.

    Going to be interesting as there’s a Tynesider, Buxton Spa, and Northern Belle out.
     
    2857Harry, Jul 19, 2025
    #51
  12. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    The Northern Belle is the priority job. Assuming steam is allowed out then Tornado must be the favourite for that.
     
    Big Al, Jul 19, 2025
    #52
  13. 45698Mars

    45698Mars New Member

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    You get the feeling there's going to be some disappointment around, with the Northern Belle the first casualty. Tornado's down for the Royal Duchy on the Sunday too.
     
    45698Mars, Jul 19, 2025
    #53
  14. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Well-Known Member

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    That Duchy is one of the reasons I suspect Tornado is nailed on for the Tynesider. I reckon that job will change intinerary to include a return to the Capital for the A1, and then it’ll surely be going over with the set to Bristol for the Duchy early doors. I could be wrong but makes some element of sense.

    Can only imagine 45212 for the Buxton job, as not sure the A1 would be quite so gauge friendly on that route!
     
    2857Harry, Jul 19, 2025
    #54
  15. 45698Mars

    45698Mars New Member

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    Can't fault your logic there.
     
    45698Mars, Jul 19, 2025
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  16. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I like the logic except that the outline times bring the train back late with Les Ross. Hard to see how Tornado will manage the day including coming back to KGX, as you seem to imply, unless the Morpeth layover is curtailed heavily.
     
    Big Al, Jul 19, 2025
    #56
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  17. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    West Coast appear to run a hell of a lot of trains with a small number of locos. I wonder what has changed? ;)

    LSL on the other hand run a smaller number of railtours with an ample supply of locos. <BJ>
     
    free2grice, Jul 19, 2025
    #57
  18. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Well-Known Member

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    True. I was simply basing it on logic, which as we know is dangerous in this game!

    Also as of yesterday the timings weren’t out or indeed finalised from what I’m told, so does suggest change is in the offing?
     
    2857Harry, Jul 19, 2025
    #58
  19. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Well-Known Member

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    Well you say this but a number of booked steam ones have been diesel recently (Appreciate fire risk has been a thing). But a good number of Belles have been changed to diesel due to lack of steam. So yes they run, but not with the orignal form of traction, perhaps a suffering of few locos? (again appreciating that LSL haven’t blazed a trail of glory either in running booked motive power this year)
     
    2857Harry, Jul 19, 2025
    #59
  20. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I think we have come to realise that with West Coast they do what they do and even the insiders who know what is going on but choose not to say because, because, it's always best to wait until the day.

    As for the Tynesider, I should be on that so Tornado would be quite a turn up for the books. Given that this is a booking from two years ago perhaps we all deserve something special!
     
    Big Al, Jul 19, 2025
    #60
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