If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

Flying Scotsman Main Line Railtours September 2026

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by johnofwessex, Jul 13, 2026.

Page 1 of 2
  1. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2015
    Messages:
    10,340
    Likes Received:
    8,709
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Thorn in my managers side
    Location:
    72
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I have been looking at these

    Does anyone know

    1. Who the TOC is and
    2. Who is providing the rolling stock and whats it likley to be?
     
    johnofwessex, Jul 13, 2026
    #1
  2. Kje7812

    Kje7812 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2010
    Messages:
    3,079
    Likes Received:
    1,487
    Location:
    Kidderminster/ York
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Kje7812, Jul 13, 2026
    #2
  3. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2015
    Messages:
    10,340
    Likes Received:
    8,709
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Thorn in my managers side
    Location:
    72
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Thanks - I looked for that thread but could not find it

    Bodes well then no air con stock and only diesel pushed where strictly necessary
     
    johnofwessex, Jul 13, 2026
    #3
  4. GWR7812

    GWR7812 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2025
    Messages:
    84
    Likes Received:
    118
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Duesseldorf
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    It pop up on Facebook.

    "LNER 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ will be taking to the mainline once again this September, hauling a series of mainline tours across the UK. Back where she belongs... on the national network!

    Wednesday 16th September
    Derby - York
    York - Scarborough

    Saturday 19th September
    Stourbridge - Bristol
    Bristol - Minehad

    Wednesday 23rd September
    Chesterfield - York
    York - Newcastle

    ✨First-class exclusive table upgrade tickets are already limited - book your legendary journey now at https://www.foxandedwards.com/events/flying-scotsman"

    I'm wondering which coaches will be used?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 16, 2026
    GWR7812, Jul 16, 2026
    #4
  5. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    5,183
    Likes Received:
    2,485
    26D_M, Jul 16, 2026
    #5
  6. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    24,134
    Likes Received:
    24,954
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Never mind the coaches, what about the price? York to Scarborough and back at about £1.20 per mile. OK - it's FS but....
     
    Big Al, Jul 16, 2026
    #6
  7. MikeParkin65

    MikeParkin65 Member Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2007
    Messages:
    666
    Likes Received:
    771
    Gender:
    Male
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    MikeParkin65, Jul 16, 2026
    #7
    26D_M likes this.
  8. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2015
    Messages:
    10,340
    Likes Received:
    8,709
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Thorn in my managers side
    Location:
    72
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I am looking at Bristol to Minehead

    Civilised hours

    VT coaching stock

    Might be expensive for what it is but its in my budget possibly even go First Class
     
    johnofwessex, Jul 16, 2026
    #8
  9. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2007
    Messages:
    4,100
    Likes Received:
    1,153
    Occupation:
    A Thingy...
    Jacobite comes in at 90p per mile, so adding what's on the front, it's fairly keenly priced for the mileage. Scenery might not compare, but that's not in question.
     
    Bulleid Pacific, Jul 16, 2026
    #9
    MikeParkin65 likes this.
  10. Romsey

    Romsey Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2007
    Messages:
    4,223
    Likes Received:
    2,209
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired SPM
    Location:
    Close to Bridge 200
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Perhaps we're seeing the emergence of a new business model based on an acceptable price for a shorter journey behind steam. Basically selling the seats for two return return journeys on one longer excursion, A to B and B to C. Two times £99 is a greater return than one £149 payment end to end....

    Cheers, Neil
     
    Romsey, Jul 16, 2026
    #10
    jon5051, John Petley, johnofwessex and 1 other person like this.
  11. andyjhatton

    andyjhatton New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2024
    Messages:
    78
    Likes Received:
    102
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Greenhithe
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    So will VT be the TOC?
    Or are they just 'borrowing' the coaching stock?
     
    andyjhatton, Jul 16, 2026
    #11
  12. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2007
    Messages:
    3,748
    Likes Received:
    6,607
    Location:
    Powys
    I would be astonished if VT aren't the operator, given they operated Scotsman at the start of the year. I don't think they have ever hired out just their stock. Those routes are all very similar to their own trips which they have full route knowledge and experience of within their own footplate crew..
     
    acorb, Jul 16, 2026
    #12
    Mick45305 and 26D_M like this.
  13. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2015
    Messages:
    10,340
    Likes Received:
    8,709
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Thorn in my managers side
    Location:
    72
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    It seems a very obvious way to go

    It has been done before eg Pathfinders Avon Branch Line Explorers & some years ago when FS ran Salisbury - London then a two hour trip to Southampton & back
     
    johnofwessex, Jul 17, 2026
    #13
  14. D7076

    D7076 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2007
    Messages:
    1,639
    Likes Received:
    780
    Because Tyseley frequently hire out their stock and lots of other TOCs have VO competency ..not .
     
    D7076, Jul 17, 2026
    #14
  15. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    24,134
    Likes Received:
    24,954
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Fair comment. And on reflection I think that maybe the split pricing arrangement is a good way of offering short steam journeys and maximising use of the stock and loco. Routes like Birmingham to York to Scarborough offer that.
     
    Big Al, Jul 17, 2026
    #15
    26D_M and Bulleid Pacific like this.
  16. MikeParkin65

    MikeParkin65 Member Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2007
    Messages:
    666
    Likes Received:
    771
    Gender:
    Male
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    TOC and Stock both VT
     
    MikeParkin65, Jul 17, 2026
    #16
    andyjhatton likes this.
  17. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    Messages:
    10,036
    Likes Received:
    1,474
    neildimmer, Aug 16, 2026 at 12:55 PM
    #17
  18. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2005
    Messages:
    10,785
    Likes Received:
    11,115
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Alderan !
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    in Trackside are F&E the new commercial promoter of 60103 ?
     
    Sidmouth, Aug 16, 2026 at 2:14 PM
    #18
  19. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    5,183
    Likes Received:
    2,485
    Perhaps unrelated but in the same issue Rail Adventure is advertising for mainline qualified steam drivers which is an indication of a new steam TOC in the offing, presumably using Eastern Rail Services modern stock though.
     
    26D_M, Aug 16, 2026 at 3:04 PM
    #19
    acorb likes this.
  20. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2005
    Messages:
    10,785
    Likes Received:
    11,115
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Alderan !
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I think a significant uplift in volume of tours is being sought , way over and above what any existing TOC may be able to support alongside their own programs . Mention is also made of 60103 and 60163 . I think the tours this year set the tone for what is being considered , so double tours in effect on the same day
     
    Sidmouth, Aug 16, 2026 at 3:13 PM
    #20
Page 1 of 2

Share This Page