RTC 2026

34067 at Biggleswade this morning. Nice to see steam on the ECML and it not bloody raining! Good to see @Johnb later in the day.

 

Travelling to Doncaster today to see family so we were able to time the journey around three shots of 'Tangmere'. Bridge Road Stevenage, Peterborough and Doncaster...

 

Photos from Stevenage, Peterborough & Doncaster... https://www.flickr.com/photos/alts1985/55095930087/in/dateposted-public/

 

This is very early but timings are live for the Sussex Belle on real time trains. Once again it's taking an alternative route via West Norwood before rejoining the mainline at East Croydon. Looking forward to this railtour as it's my first railtour I've been on in awhile. Can only guess that 44871 will hopefully pull the trip, should be out of winter maintenance by then.

London Victoria to Eastbourne
- https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U78986/2026-04-15/detailed
Eastbourne to Hastings
- https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U78989/2026-04-15/detailed
Hastings to London Victoria
- https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U78990/2026-04-15/detailed

 

Its a shame but enthusiasts are no longer wanted on railtours.

 

I wouldn't say not wanted. More that railtours are no longer geared towards them as the target audience much anymore.

 

The recent series of Shap/S&C tours that Saphos ran would say otherwise..

 

You been taking your happy pills again?

4 Saphos Cumbrian Jobs have ran in 5 months. All full. The Buxton and Whitby jobs had enthusiasts on in their number.

 

I am very much looking forward to Tornado over Shap next week - which should include many miles of 70mph+ running, 3 unassisted climbs and a full day out behind an A1 Pacific.
This enthusiast will be celebrating this is still possible in 2026.
It will be over 3 years since I last booked with RTC however...

 

How strange, as well as the recent Saphos Carlisle trips, are the semi-regular Vintage trips to Plymouth and Carlisle which make a point of advertising opening windows, unassisted steam (sometimes double-headed), and selling "Enthusiast Class" tickets guaranteed to be next to the locomotive, all figments of imagination?

 

Probably the most incorrect comments I have read from others on this forum and I have read a lot...

 

The Sussex Belle page on RTC's website has been updated to now show 34028 as the loco, no longer a Black Five.

 

RTC offering £40 off this Saturday’s CME

 

Unfortunately for RTC much better competition this weekend. Remarkably there were still a handful of tickets left even on the VT trip according to the Tornado Telegraph earlier this week.

 

Indicative of people getting fed up of the same steam locos Tangmere or a Black Five on coffins?

 

And as others have said already that on the same day there's a trip with what I consider to the general public a more well known and popular loco, plus with much more steam milage and unassisted for a lot of the journey, travelling on alot of the same route of the CME. It's no brainer what most people will lean towards when given the option of two.

 

Back at the time Tornado was new, on the news and things like Top Gear it may have been in the thoughts of the masses. Not so sure that is the case any more. Back before Covid when RTC were using Tornado and before the whole CDL issue trips were not always full.
@Big Al mentioned it was a nice view through the window, to a lot that is enough.
The enthusiast market may see a "uniqueness" in the lack of a diesel, not sure how well that has been marketed outside of the enthusiast bubble, or even appreciated by those just wanting a day out.

 

Speaking for myself, if it's a straight choice between a journey over required track in a Mk2 and an unassisted run up Shap, I always plump for the former, particularly as there's no guarantees the required track will get done again. It all depends on what you value most.

 

To be fair, Vintage Trains are running an Easter promotion that offers 20% off Standard and Pullman tickets for tours that include the Shap Mountaineer. That reduces the standard price from £132.50 to £106. <BJ>

''For a limited time, we're offering 20% off Standard and Pullman tickets as a special Easter celebration offer''

https://vintagetrains.co.uk/the-shap-mountaineer/

https://vintagetrains.co.uk/the-cambrian-coast-express-pwllheli/

https://vintagetrains.co.uk/the-north-wales-coast-express/

https://vintagetrains.co.uk/the-golden-hind/