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The Whitby Flyer - 18/03/26

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by neildimmer, Mar 16, 2026 at 8:02 AM.

  1. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

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    Still no times available for this trip on Wednesday, another last minute times release like the Buxton trip looking like
     
    neildimmer, Mar 16, 2026 at 8:02 AM
    #1
  2. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Well-Known Member

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    Clearly there are some times somewhere as they’ve been confirmed on RYTC website for over a week. Just no times for public sites.
     
    2857Harry, Mar 16, 2026 at 10:34 AM
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  3. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Yes confirmed timings were on the RTC website for the tour last week.
     
    Gladiator 5076, Mar 16, 2026 at 10:46 AM
    #3
  4. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

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    Yes thanks to both of you, i have these times as i am travelling on it, i was basically looking for times at York for the changeover from Electric to Steam
     
    neildimmer, Mar 16, 2026 at 11:45 AM
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  5. torgormaig

    torgormaig Part of the furniture Friend

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    Booked in Holgate Loop from 09.25 to 09.49 for the loco change.

    Peter
     
    torgormaig, Mar 16, 2026 at 12:13 PM
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  6. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

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    Oh that's a shame, they swapped over in the station last year. oh well, thanks anyway
     
    neildimmer, Mar 16, 2026 at 12:44 PM
    #6
  7. torgormaig

    torgormaig Part of the furniture Friend

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    If it helps the loco change over in the evening does take place in the station, 18.32 to 19.01

    Peter
     
    torgormaig, Mar 16, 2026 at 1:17 PM
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  8. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

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    thanks, that is handy to know, all I need now is which platforms are involved
     
    neildimmer, Mar 16, 2026 at 1:33 PM
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  9. torgormaig

    torgormaig Part of the furniture Friend

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    Well, as you asked it is booked Plat.5 in both cases but as you know things very often change at York, so we will have to take what we're given.

    Peter
     
    torgormaig, Mar 16, 2026 at 3:49 PM
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  10. GWR7812

    GWR7812 New Member

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    Do you maybe have timings for Battersby (outward and return) and Stockton (return)?
     
    GWR7812, Mar 16, 2026 at 4:46 PM
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  11. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

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    Isn't that the truth!!

    Thanks, fingers crossed for P5, at least that gives me time for a photo from P3 then scoot across the footbridge to board it!!
     
    neildimmer, Mar 16, 2026 at 4:52 PM
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  12. 5098

    5098 Well-Known Member

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    5098, Mar 16, 2026 at 8:34 PM
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  13. GWR7812

    GWR7812 New Member

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    GWR7812, Mar 16, 2026 at 9:19 PM
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  14. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I hope that everyone enjoys the day; it's a lovely trip for people starting from York. Away at 10 am and back at 6.30 pm. To my mind that's the length that a steam day trip should be. The only problem is that you get only about 90 minutes in a place that really does deserve you being able to spend twice that time at the destination.

    Of course, the reason for the short stay is that, for some reason, this train starts at Kings Cross. Four hours to York with a 100 mph electric. Just over three coming back. It feels like a classic case of needing to path the train first to see if it works from London (or Stevenage) before offering it to the public. But it seems to be nearly full so it presumably doesn't matter. I pity those who board at KGX assuming they can get to the train at very silly o'clock.

    I went on this trip from York (not KGX) in 2017. It was a great trip leaving at 8.30 am and getting back at 8 pm....plus three hours in Whitby.

    I can only assume that this wasn't about getting people from the south to enjoy a trip to Whitby as, now we know the timings, the best option would be to buy a (cheap) advance return from KGX and turn the marathon into something more reasonable. (Forget the charter - 7.30 am from KGX and back by 9 pm.)

    I know it's a sign of the times but there really was a simple solution for this one and 05.42 off KGX isn't it.

    Let's hope that the (fourth?) attempt at The Tynesider in July has been thought through well as I see that the provisional times show the same electric loco with a three hour timing at 07.30 from KGX to when the Class 5 leaves York. This trip is doing the same in four hours and twenty minutes. Yes, I am deeply suspicious.
     
    Big Al, Mar 16, 2026 at 9:53 PM
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  15. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

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    It has been around 06:00 from Kings Cross for some years, it was when I last stewarded on it in 2018. Like all tours just creeps ever forward as the network gets busier. As I mentioned on the main RTC thread it is passed by 4 trains before Stevenage even at that time of day. Better to start from London and give those a chance to those who want to do it, as long as they live near Thameslink or south of Milton Keynes or I think somewhere on the GA network. Otherwise it is a night bus or an hotel, too early for a non night tube night.
     
    Gladiator 5076, Mar 16, 2026 at 11:02 PM
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  16. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    You are dead right that charters are increasingly being pushed to either end of the day. I imagine that most people on this trip will be boarding much further north than London. I recall that when I did it the day worked for me by spinning north from London to pick up the charter at Northallerton and drop off there to come back south. All in one day and, of course, operated with top and tailed steam involving four reversals.

    As I said, here's hoping that all goes well as it's a good trip to be on.
     
    Big Al, Mar 17, 2026 at 7:10 AM
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  17. NathanP

    NathanP Well-Known Member

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    There is also the convenience factor - being able to travel on a direct train between London and Whitby. No need to faff about with changing train. Normally, it would require 1 or 2 changes if done via service train. I will always prefer a slower, direct train than a faster one which requires changing trains along the way. An early start is a small sacrifice to make for that.
     
    NathanP, Mar 17, 2026 at 9:46 AM
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  18. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    That is obviously a matter of personal choice, but a crucial consideration is just how early. I have decided against many trips where the appeal of the locomotive, route and/or destination has been considerable but (for me) not enough to justify getting up several hours earlier than usual.
     
    MellishR, Mar 17, 2026 at 5:50 PM
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