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Steam Dreams 2026

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by GWR7812, Oct 1, 2025.

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  1. KristianGWR

    KristianGWR Member

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    A couple of shots of Wednesday's run to Bath, filmed at Savernake and Greenbridge (Swindon). If you give it a watch, I hope you enjoy it :)
     
    KristianGWR, Apr 17, 2026
    #41
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  2. TheModster

    TheModster Member

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    Steam Dreams have confirmed their Christmas tours for the year, all locos TBC but a few notable ones include a Kings Cross to York steam hauled throughout, and a return of the "White Cliffs Christmas Lunch" which hasn't been seen since 2018! Full list below:

    17th Nov - London to York
    19th Nov - Southend to Chester
    2nd Dec - East Anglia to Winchester
    15th Dec - White Cliffs Circular
     
    TheModster, Apr 24, 2026
    #42
  3. Davo

    Davo Well-Known Member

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    Last edited by a moderator: May 14, 2026
    Davo, May 14, 2026
    #43
  4. VirtualSteam

    VirtualSteam Member

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    Pity the Duke isn't actually visiting Kent- steam comes on and off in London
     
    VirtualSteam, May 15, 2026
    #44
  5. Michelliss

    Michelliss New Member

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    Michelliss, May 15, 2026
    #45
  6. cg

    cg Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: May 16, 2026
    cg, May 16, 2026
    #46
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  7. AlexGWR1994

    AlexGWR1994 Member

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    Here's my video of an extremely rare event featuring the Duke and a GWR Class 800 at Brunel's iconic Sydney Gardens. They were running side by side with the Duke on the right road and the Class 800 on the left road. I can't remember seeing an occasion like this ever at Sydney Gardens. I hope you enjoy it. SnapShot(12).jpg
     
    AlexGWR1994, May 16, 2026
    #47
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  8. cg

    cg Well-Known Member

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    I had thought about going there this afternoon but decided to watch the FA Cup Final, you made a better choice. Thanks for filming and sharing that super clip.
     
    cg, May 16, 2026
    #48
  9. KristianGWR

    KristianGWR Member

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    My offering from Saturday's tour to Bath. Filmed at Wolfhall and Greenbridge (Swindon). If you give it a watch, I hope you enjoy it :)
     
    KristianGWR, May 18, 2026
    #49
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  10. Davo

    Davo Well-Known Member

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    Had a enjoyable memorable day out on 71000 Duke of Gloucester to Bath boarding at Maidenhead. Some nice fast timely running despite arriving into Bath 10 mins late. Here's a pic of the duke at Bath Spa.

    20260516_131458.jpg

    Davo 56F
     
    Davo, May 19, 2026
    #50
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  11. Deepgreen

    Deepgreen Well-Known Member Friend

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    I notice the 20 June 'Waterloo to Paignton' run (actually Kingswear) has the Waterloo to Taunton section (and return) diesel-hauled - stretching the name 'Steam Dreams' to the limit!
     
    Deepgreen, May 31, 2026 at 8:58 PM
    #51
  12. Alex Productions

    Alex Productions Member

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    It's quite rare outside the circular trips (which they don't do as many of in recent years) that the Steam Dream trips are Steam hauled throughout these days. Most of them are probably only hauled by Steam for either half or less of the journey.
     
    Alex Productions, May 31, 2026 at 10:32 PM
    #52
  13. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Just the regular Saturday Saphos trip under the SD brand is it not where steam comes on & off at Taunton.
     
    Gladiator 5076, May 31, 2026 at 10:53 PM
    #53
  14. Deepgreen

    Deepgreen Well-Known Member Friend

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    Perhaps edging towards the situation where patrons can only dream of steam!
     
    Deepgreen, Jun 1, 2026 at 3:43 PM
    #54
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  15. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

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    65 miles of steam each way roughly depending on where at Taunton the loco change is done. But on the modern railway realistically what can you do.
    At best you could perhaps go one way with steam, but would you have long enough at the destination to make it worthwhile?. Especially when you have the ferry issue.
    Other than the hardcore enthusiast I suspect 130 mile of steam that may hit 75mph once or twice and a run along the sea wall will seem like a fine day out. Estimated timings has it at 07:00 to 22:15 how much earlier do you expect people to try to get to Waterloo for, and many will be fretting about connections with a 22:15 arrival I suspect.
     
    Gladiator 5076, Jun 1, 2026 at 4:12 PM
    #55
  16. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    I'm not sure how bookings are for this one but all the Saphos trains to Kingswear seem to be fully booked so people must be happy with what they're getting. It's a model that seems to work well for LSL from an operational point of view. They can keep the loco based at Bishops Lydeard, run to Kingswear and back using well tried and tested timings and no need for water stops en-route. I'm guessing that they can do the whole trip with a single steam loco crew as well although I'm not sure about that.

    I must say I preferred the old Torbay Express model that gave you steam from Bristol, either via Weston Super Mare or Westbury.
     
    6026 King John, Jun 1, 2026 at 5:23 PM
    #56
  17. Deepgreen

    Deepgreen Well-Known Member Friend

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    I'm sure there will be healthy bookings, but runs with steam all the way from London to various destinations are still quite frequently done, so it is not necessarily the "modern railway" that is preventing it. I'm sure the passengers will enjoy the day nevertheless. BTW, my "dream of steam" comment was only tongue-in-cheek...
     
    Deepgreen, Jun 1, 2026 at 6:06 PM
    #57
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