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Saphos Trains 2026

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by GWR7812, Oct 7, 2025.

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  1. steam_mad

    steam_mad Member

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    Do you really think Railtour organisers are going to rely on people who suggest they’re “prepared to book at the last minute” in their decision as to whether a Railtour is viable? Wake up…
     
    steam_mad, Dec 16, 2025 at 9:02 AM
    #41
    5098, Mick45305, ribble and 5 others like this.
  2. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    sorry Fred but that is a poor comment . Railtour companies need tickets sold and bums on seats . Decisions have to be made before large losses get incurred and relying on the lottery of last minutes bookings is an absolute recipe for disaster
     
    Sidmouth, Dec 16, 2025 at 9:34 AM
    #42
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  3. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

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    I think that if Saphos offers a few more trains like this (or 71000's recent unassisted run to Carlisle), last-minute bookings aren't going to be an issue. Sadly I live rather too far south to contemplate one of these trips, but I'm just hoping that someone will point out to the powers-that-be in LSL/Saphos that 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of 60532's somewhat less-than-successful encounter with Honiton Bank. I for one would not wait to the last minute to book a seat on an unassisted run over the L&SWR West of England line behind this loco.
     
    John Petley, Dec 16, 2025 at 10:32 AM
    #43
  4. LittleRedTrain

    LittleRedTrain Member

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    It would be a real help if the Tour operators, charter TOCs and Network Rail could get their act together on providing confirmed timings for a tour months/weeks instead of days in advance. Sometimes it's been as little as one day before, in the case of the recent VT trips).

    It doesn't encourage people to book early if you don't know if a tour is going to be doable in a day from home, or is going to need extra spending on hotels before/after, (especially if you rely on public transport or a long drive to reach a pickup location).
    At least officially, there's no recourse for passengers if the actual timings turn out to be wildly difficult to what was originally proposed, so it's no wonder some of us have to leave booking until the last minute.

    I have, however, booked the Blue Peter run in Feb, along with accommodation.
    Offer an attractive option at a reasonable price and people will make the effort!
     
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2025 at 11:19 PM
    LittleRedTrain, Dec 16, 2025 at 7:21 PM
    #44
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  5. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Network Rail has a standard timetable for bids to be put to them to run charters. It's down to each TOC to do that and there is plenty of time, as I understand it. I think you will find that the 'confirmed' timings depend on how good the proposed times are that are submitted by the TOC. The nightmare for NR will be when they come to look at the timings to allocate the paths (and I don't imagine that this is at the top of their agenda) they then find that it is a poor 'fit' leading to them to have to make last minutes changes...that also may not be at the top of their agenda.

    So what I'm saying is that the simplicity that some folk hope for is not in practice, simple at all!
     
    Big Al, Dec 16, 2025 at 9:24 PM
    #45
  6. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Then imagine the complexity of say the Great Britain, 10 days if you include movements the day before and day after.
     
    RalphW, Dec 16, 2025 at 9:33 PM
    #46
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  7. No.7

    No.7 Well-Known Member

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    This is not the case (on the two the "Shap Trials II" tours), £165 for a solo seat on a table for two.
     
    No.7, Dec 17, 2025 at 7:15 AM
    #47
  8. No.7

    No.7 Well-Known Member

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    I think the statement could be super caution, the plan is no diesel. I think the "requested" maybe because even in March/April 2025 we were looking at fire risk issues. The entire concept of these tours is built on the success of the 71000 tour so no diesel in the plan.
     
    No.7, Dec 17, 2025 at 7:32 AM
    #48
  9. NathanP

    NathanP Well-Known Member

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    Which tours are those? They're not on the VT website.
     
    NathanP, Dec 17, 2025 at 7:42 AM
    #49
  10. No.7

    No.7 Well-Known Member

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    Saphos, not VT.
     
    No.7, Dec 17, 2025 at 8:31 AM
    #50
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