Vintage Trains 2026

Good to hear you're facing the challenges of railtour operation 'head on'.
A few thoughts I had that might raise some revenue in Standard (probably not just VT specific, but wondered if they'd been considered):

Improving the Standard catering offer
Steam Dreams used to offer complimentary at-seat tea and coffee to all passengers in Standard, which made it feel that little bit more 'premium' and allowed higher ticket prices for probably very minimal outlay. There is already a tea/coffee service with the pre-ordered bacon rolls anyway.

The buffet range could be expanded to include things like sandwiches, pastries, hot sausage rolls/pasties etc, and maybe on-demand Bacon/Sausage baps rather than having to pre-order when booking.
IIRC Pathfinder used to allow at-seat ordering from the kitchen car once dining service was done, if you wanted something more substantial than the buffet offer.

There are a few trips I've been on where there wasn't an opportunity to get anything substantial before boarding, and the first opportunity to get something other than a snack/cake wasn't until arriving at the destination many hours later.
I also knew that everything would be closed when I got back, so had to stock up on food for the return journey at the destination, would prefer if I'd just been able to buy it onboard when I got hungry.

I appreciate this would be an up-front investment in terms of facilities and stock, and it may not be as straightforward when stewards are volunteers rather than paid staff, but it might mean some of the food & drink spend stays onboard rather than going elsewhere.

Improve attractiveness for families:
As a more left-field option, I wonder whether there are ways of making longer trips more 'family friendly'. Could there a be a dedicated 'family coach' for families with younger children?
Could a brake area be made into a small play area for those kids that don't want to sit in their seats for several hours?
Could a baby changing facility be added?
Again, it's all investment, but could it be worth the payoff?

Combing train and coach travel
Finally, I wonder if there'd be a market for partnering with local coach companies to offer package deals including a railtour.
Have the coach pick up in a few major towns not served by the train, transfer passengers somewhere like Coleshill Parkway, the passengers get their train trip, then the coach is waiting to take them back home, no worry about delays/missed connections.

I'd certainly use it if it worked out cheaper than a couple of nights in a Birmingham hotel.

 

I thought the Liverpool trip was on Sat 11th July ?

 

Wonder when tickets will be sent out for Fridays Newcastle trip?

 

I didn't think they did anymore. It's show the QR code from the booking.

 

Well how do you know which coach you are in?

 

Last time I did it, if you click on the link on the email it should take you to the ticket. If the coach allocations have been confirmed, you should been able to see it there.

 

I have never travelled with TY so not fully conversant with the current offering but many of those suggestions would require investment, & maybe modifications to stock to allow them to happen. Providing hot food out of a buffet rather than a kitchen car was beyond most in BR days. What do you use a microwave?
And as a former steward elsewhere an absolute nightmare to us and to the people manning the trolley.
Personally I hate any sort of trolley in the aisle type offering, i.e. at seat service. To make it worthwhile it needs to be conducted a lot in a tour. It is a pain if you want to get to a toilet (or the buffet) and personally I would view it as a service downgrade. It is bad enough on an aircraft, and one of the reasons raid the larder was such a success in BA Club World. which less face it was a self service buffet of sorts.
Would love to know the view of the Cabot Square mob on a play area in a half brake, who supervises, do you need someone with medical training? would all stewards need to have DBS checks as well?

Nothing wrong with kicking off a discussion though.

 

Ticket email just come through. On the buffet subject I used to travel many thousands of miles with Marcus Robertson's Steam Dreams down south. The system was changed from buffet to a complimentary at seat service and we were charged an extra £10 . For us passengers it was not good. Coffee was delivered when we didn't want it and wasn't available when we did. That system is the same that doesn't work on GWR on the North Cotswolds Line where having boarded at Pershore we are offered refreshments from the trolley just as we approach our destination an hour later or not at all especially if it's a nine coach train. Occasionally we are lucky but it is just that, luck. And don't start me on trying to get back from the loo when the trolley's in the aisle. One day maybe the loo will be at seat as well.