RTC 2026

Saturday's WSR trip is now class 33s https://www.railwaytouring.net/wsse-18-07-26

 

This Sunday’s Royal Duchy is now listed as diesel hauled vice steam

 

This weekend

 

Re. the WSSE, I have just checked and there is no mention of two steam locos on the official RTC website. Class 33s throughout AFAIK. <BJ>

 

I assume the 'Dorset Coast Express' on 13 August will have no steam loco involved, even as a figurehead?

 

Not unless there is a monsoon between now and then, all that's in the forecast is another heatwave for the south and east..

 

RTC website - https://www.railwaytouring.net/dce-13-08-26 - states it is diesel hauled. The confirmed timings on it show the excursion to be around one hour earlier at Bournemouth and Weymouth on the outward journey than would have been the case behind 34028 Eddystone. No en-route watering and, presumably, a much more direct routing down the main line - instead of the original diversion at Eastleigh to go to Fareham and then for the rear diesel to then haul the train to Weymouth thus turning it ready for the return to Waterloo.

 

Received the following in an e-mail from RTC today:


I'd say this sails very close to the edge of 'mis-selling' given that the chances of steam haulage are, barring a major monsoon, slim to nil, and the vintage trams haven't been running for some time and are unlikely to start again before the illuminations.

 

That is very poor from RTC - they should be aware the chances of that being steam hauled are practically non existent.

How about accept reality and hire a pair 20s or 37s and try and make something of a situation nobody can do anything about? You might attract a few extra punters by recreating a seaside special of more recent past (especially with the intercity air cons!).

Advertising something that plainly isn't going to happen will just end up leaving a bad taste.