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.

 

Something which really belongs in the "Transparency .....etc" thread but this sort of discussion has been going on for well over a decade. When some sensible folk said exactly as you have, Alan, others piled in with "so sue RTC". It's as if RTC thinks they have special exemption from being honest in their selling practices when it comes to known facts not being declared.
We all understand RTC is reluctant to say something which may act as a deterrent to booking but that simply won't wash.

 

Well the Saphos trip on the 26th also only mentions steam on their website so hardly a unique issue to RTC, or to they get a mention purely due to the association with WCRC whom you clearly dislike?

 

In amongst all the random pathing that now seems to appear for tours on RTT these days the DCE shows these
Outbound :
Pathed as Diesel locomotive, trailing load 715 tonnes
Planned for 60mph max

Inbound:
Pathed as Class 220/221 DMU
Planned for 56mph max

I get all the issues about acceleration from station call etc, not sure however I have ever seen Voyagers used as a "source" before. Maybe pathed by two different individuals at NR.

Also not sure why the outbound leg this time was pathed with a reversal at Fareham, (but ended up going direct anyway) unless as a result of the SWML problems west of Yeovil Junction leading to total avoidance of that line.

 

1Z94 ran on the old steam path which should have been replaced on the system but wasn't in time.

The tour ran early to Weymouth via Southampton Airport Parkway vice Fareham., arriving at Weymouth 58 mins early.

Going via Fareham was originally an idea to spin the steam locomotive so it would then lead on the return from Weymouth.

Thanks to Basingstoker. <BJ>

 

Me neither, and 56mph looks odd - I only trust such planned maximum speeds to be genuine that end in a 0 or a 5 - most steam runs are either 60 or 75mph. Tender-first is 45mph and diesel/electric haulage sections are often 95mph.

 

Was supposed to be via Andover was it not to turn the loco? RTC website, which I admit is not always accurate still says that.

 

Suspect the WoE service reductions have forced a potential ban on any excursions due to lack of paths caused by slower speeds.
A reversal at Fareham would seem to be the only other location to turn the whole train ready for a 'steam-hauled' departure from Weymouth.
In the event it was not required of course due to NR's steam ban.
The current 'threat' of descending moisture next week might be the prelude to more rain/more heat ! Who knows.