Vintage Trains 2025

Not such fond memories of the Castle to Scotland trip myself. It promised so much, but the dry weather put paid to the mouth-watering prospect of an unassisted Castle over Beattock, with 5043 reduced to the role of headboard carrier for the rest of the tour. The highlight of the trip was the southbound run from Carlisle to Shap Summit with some very rateable thrash from the 37 on the front.

On the plus side, we did get to spend time in some nice places and visited several good pubs over the three days. For me, ‘Castle over Beattock’ remains (probably forever, being realistic) unfinished business.

Nick M.

 

Yes @Sheff it is Wednesday 10th.

Dave B

 

Or, according to VT's website, Wednesday 3rd December.

 

The 3rd December is VT's tour to York using one of the Castles and has been on the website a while.
The 10th December is a new tour and I think it's an A1 Trust tour which is possibly why it is not on the VT website.

I copied the following from the 21st Century Steam webpage :

2025 TOURS

Wednesday 10th December

'The Christmas White Rose' - Train from the Midlands to York for the Christmas Market.

Join the train at Dorridge, Widney Manor, Coleshill Parkway, Nuneaton, Leicester, East Midlands Parkway and Ilkeston.

Follow this link for tickets.

21st Century webpage link here: https://www.a1steam.com/steamtrains

Hope this helps.


Dave B

 

The A1 tour is now on the VT website.

 

Welsh Highland Explorer to Holyhead now postponed to 10th October.

 

Cambrian explorer railtour currently held at Oakengates station due to signal failure between Wellington and Shrewsbury. Waiting for 1j46 ahead to go through the section. Unsure how it'll affect the Cambrian line timings.

 

On the move. Just over an hour down

 

Travelled the Cambrian Explorer. Superb, well done Vintage Trains

My write up below.

76 L arriving Salop after signalling problems around Oakengates.

Deficit reduced at Salop and thereafter with some smart running, we gradually clawed back time. Arrival at Aberystwyth 10L.

The VT class 37 was superb. Staff were excellent. The NR class 97 in good form too.

Train well loaded, with load 7. A super touch is the trip included access to the excellent VoR railway museum - seeing the Dukedog was a delight.

Well done Vintage Trains, Colas Rail, Network Rail and TfW for facilitating the trip. My pics below, copyright Paul Stanford

 

I've heard adverts for steam trips on Boom Radio a few times, I think it's maybe because Les Ross is one of their DJs.

 

I didn't know they're operating the Locomotion No1 Rail 200 runs

 

I didn't until I saw Vintage Trains say something earlier. But given the A1 Trust Chairman was on the footplate of Locomotion and been involved in the S&D200 celebrations and VT are now operating Tornado, it makes some sense.

I did see that Guy Martin (the former Isle of Man TT rider and TV presenter) was also onboard and helped with the overhaul of the replica for another if his TV Programmes.

 

Just to say we were humbled to be asked to operate Locomotion for the fantastic Rail 200 celebrations and run our first Royal Train to boot. Everything went off without a hitch and the team work of our guys was first class. A real benchmark for our team and its abilities so onward to more amazing things

 

Timings now showing in RTT for Clun Castle to Newcastle on 18th October

Outward
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U65761/2025-10-18/detailed

Return
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U65764/2025-10-18/detailed

 

On this tour at the weekend

Does anyone know when Vintage issue tickets in advance of the tour please and whether these are E tickets or by post

Not travelled with Vintage in a number of years and just wondered how they deal with tickets now as not yet received anything

 

They should be sent out by email from Fareharbor, usually on Thursday for weekend tours (i.e. tomorrow)

 

Cheers for the reply, much appreciated

 

If you look at your original order confirmation email from when you booked it will have a link "View your Ticket". When you view this right after booking it has no information on it other than a QR code. If you look at it now there is a good chance it will now display your coach and table number. As mentioned, VT will also email you confirmed times nearer the time, which has that same "View your ticket" link in it.