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Vintage Trains 2026

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Michael Whitehouse, Dec 18, 2025.

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  1. Butler Henderson

    Butler Henderson New Member

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    Thanks both. Original E mail was only provisional times but now got an E Mail from VT confirming actual as 13.30
     
    Butler Henderson, Feb 20, 2026
    #141
  2. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Hope you enjoy your trip tomorrow, very much looking forward to mine.
    The timings look identical to RTT on 14th February.
     
    acorb, Feb 20, 2026
    #142
  3. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    I have to admire VT for taking on and running three days of main line activity this week , with the final day tomorrow , fitting into a busy City Centre station and around all the Chiltern and WMT local services . The VT staff and volunteers are working incredibly hard to deliver enjoyable trips . Having enjoyed an unexpected trip this afternoon, speed wasn't everything , it was Flying Scotsman on the main line, on my local line . The steward had come up from somerset and had done all four days , absolute credit to his commitment and for being so welcoming . Thank you to Richard, Peter, John, Sam, Alastair, Martin and all the VT staff who found the time and space to allow me and my two, some moments and photographs that will live long in the memory. Thank you also to the Northern steam members who again have made me and my two welcome

    Fair play as well to the Chiltern staff who absolutely embraced the event and could not have been more enthusiastic. To Lisa the station manager and all involved , you were fabulous . Also to the WMT and the security who have been spot on in my experience over the last few days

    I was initially happy to see 60103 coming to Birmingham , but having been out for almost every train its woven itself into a magic few days and some memories that will live on for a very long time

    I know I've been a little critical of the circus around 60103 , but for the last week , its been my engine too and one i've been able to enjoy more on my terms
     
    Last edited: Feb 21, 2026
    Sidmouth, Feb 20, 2026
    #143
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  4. Trevor Beglin

    Trevor Beglin New Member

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    Seen a short while ago through Danzey - absolutely brilliant, working well and looking great!

    I think the platform staff provision, either organised by West Mids or VT, is overkill. I get that demand is expected to be busy but they're just contracted security as opposed to railway employees. I've seen far more people out for LSL circulars than what turned up for this with no security present.

    It's a bit silly really.
     
    Trevor Beglin, Feb 21, 2026
    #144
  5. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Class 47 appears to be leading to Stratford for some reason, no explanation given on train.
     
    acorb, Feb 21, 2026
    #145
  6. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    In conversation with WMT staff last night sadly there were instances of trespass last weekend especially on the first train. One had walked off the end of the platform and had set up a tripod and camera with tripod legs on the sleeper ends . the local facebook news page has been pushing the times since last friday and it was noticeable more people were out as the week progressed .

    so no its not silly, its needed because people don't behave .

    In fairness to the security, they have all been really good in my experience . they stayed out of our way for the images last night and we had an excellent catch up with them after 60103 going through
     
    Sidmouth, Feb 21, 2026
    #146
  7. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    How does this affect not running around at Snow Hill ? I purchased a ticket tonight as I thought it was a bargain for 45+ miles of scotsman haulage, not so much now.
     
    LMarsh1987, Feb 21, 2026
    #147
  8. ficksberglion

    ficksberglion New Member

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    WE 3 shpn lr.jpg Catching a bit of unexpected sun emerging from Wood End Tunnel
     
    ficksberglion, Feb 21, 2026
    #148
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  9. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    it doesn't but that wasn't the question being answered
     
    Sidmouth, Feb 21, 2026
    #149
  10. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    Sorry, Martin. My mistake.
     
    LMarsh1987, Feb 21, 2026
    #150
  11. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    You may well still get your 45 miles, nobody has been able to give me an explanation beyond 'operational reasons'. Given the shocking path down behind the all stations stopper, in the event didn't miss much!
    Scotsman is in place at the front for the return, hopefully can be opened up a bit for the return.
     
    acorb, Feb 21, 2026
    #151
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  12. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    It's the same for final the return. I captured you at Stratford Parkway and it was all very pedestrian from the front end, obviously trying not to gain on the service in front. Another problem is the long sections between signals. I think it may just be too busy to run around on a Saturday night at Snow Hill.
     
    LMarsh1987, Feb 21, 2026
    #152
  13. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Top speed of 44mph on return, hope you improve on that, majority of running low 30's.
    More of a 'Shakespeare Saunter' than express.
     
    acorb, Feb 21, 2026
    #153
  14. Adam Tandy

    Adam Tandy Member

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    My shot of 60103 charging through Wood End with the return leg of today's 1st "Shakespeare Express" excursion.

     
    Adam Tandy, Feb 21, 2026
    #154
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  15. Butler Henderson

    Butler Henderson New Member

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    Confirmed by at least two railwaymen, the view tender first is not good enough. Unable to see signals on last Saturdays workings so no tender first running. That was the "operational problem"
     
    Butler Henderson, Feb 21, 2026
    #155
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  16. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Well some footplatemen in Aviemore would agree with that..
    Thanks for the explanation.
     
    acorb, Feb 21, 2026
    #156
  17. torgormaig

    torgormaig Part of the furniture Friend

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    So nothing to do with being limited to 45mph when the tender is leading?

    Peter
     
    torgormaig, Feb 21, 2026
    #157
  18. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Well-Known Member

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    I also heard this during the week. Also safety concerns regarding the driver not being able to have clear sight of most platforms when tender first due to most of them being wrong side when tender first. Crowded platforms, lack of sight, etc and throw in the signals issue. Makes perfect sense.
     
    2857Harry, Feb 21, 2026
    #158
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  19. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Trust me, on the timings today 45mph was an aspiration, not a limit!!
     
    acorb, Feb 21, 2026
    #159
  20. alrohomer

    alrohomer Member Friend

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    Exiting Wood End Tunnel.

    DSC08770u.jpg
     
    alrohomer, Feb 21, 2026
    #160
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