Christmas Coronation-1000+ miles with 60163 in 3 days

There are no details on the Steam Dreams website yet but from Thursday 18th November to Saturday 20th November according to uksteam Tornado will run from Kings Cross to Edinburgh on Day 1, do a circular run from Edinburgh via Newcastle, Carlisle, Beattock and Motherwell on Day 2, and then return to London Euston from Edinburgh via the WCML on Day 3 all as one railtour. :happy:

It looks like this could be a trip to save up for, but seen as it is not yet on Steam Dreams website I presume that the tour is not yet finalised. Does anyone else have any more information as to whether this trip will actually run?

 

It has been put in the latest issue of the steam Beano so should run, but will have to wait until SD open bookings for this until its a dead cert.

Oli

 

Disappointingly Steam Dreams has once again put on a major ‘event’ during term time. This one would mean at least 2 days out of school for those of us who might want to take Children. Non starter I’m afraid. That's 6 seats they will not sell to us.

 

It isn't a bad trip,certainly with the discounts offered to people on the summer coronation,would of been nice to have a loco other than 60163 but it will suffice.

 

Or an A2 (dons tin hat etc)

 

Full details now up at: http://www.steamdreams.com/content/view/287/52/

I see now that Day 2 is via the Shotts line instead of the direct route from Carstairs. This route clinches it for me and will certainly be on it with finances allowing. I have worked the mileage out as 1123 miles with Day 1 = 393, Day 2 = 320 and Day 3 = 410.

 

Don't be too harsh on Steam Dreams, I presume that the only reason for the odd dates is that a large chunk of the ECML and/or WCML is closed on Sunday. Its such a high mileage trip that it wouldn't be possible to run over a full weekend and not run into problems with engineering works.

 

I hear on the grapevine I might have ruffled some feathers with my post, I am sorry about that. Let me say that I think Steam Dreams runs some excellent trips and have booked and travelled on the first two ‘Coronation’ trains; I would happily book for their special trains again. They are an excellent professional outfit and put on some great tours. Based on personal experience I can recommend anybody in a position to do so booking on this, or any of the Steam Dreams specials.

The only point I was trying to make was that having taken my Children out of School for ‘Coronation I’ and ‘Coronation II’ and with schools taking a dim view of that these days I can not travel on ‘Coronation III’, ‘Cornish Riviera’ or this trip. My problem I know. As an aside I have been badgered insistently about taking the boys on the ‘Cornish Riviera’ by my younger son and ‘Coronation III’ by my elder son, but it’s just not on, much as I would dearly like to.

This is offered as constructive feedback and I hope will be viewed as such. I really hope the trip is a success.

 

THE CHRISTMAS CORONATION 18 TO 20/11/10

If any body is thinking about going on this trip you should be able to do a deal as it is not booking very well (HAGGLE)

 

Re: THE CHRISTMAS CORONATION 18 TO 20/11/10

Have you tried this then Leander? What sort of discounts are we looking at?

I am debating whether to do this tour, however I can’t see on the Steam Dreams website or in their latest brochure that the circular trip to Carlisle on the Friday still returns via the Shotts route as originally planned. This is one of the main draws for me so if it has been pulled I probably wont bother.

 

Re: THE CHRISTMAS CORONATION 18 TO 20/11/10

Try £200 for the 3 days

 

Re: THE CHRISTMAS CORONATION 18 TO 20/11/10

The standard price from the brochure totals £318.50 so your saying they are giving over 1/3 off the original price. That would easily cover the hotel in Edinburgh, so if true I will certainly be giving steam dreams a bell on Monday.

 

Re: THE CHRISTMAS CORONATION 18 TO 20/11/10

Single day tickets likely to be available then??

 

Re: THE CHRISTMAS CORONATION 18 TO 20/11/10

Covenantors to the A1 Steam Loco Trust are being offered £50 discounts for the Days 1 & 3 elements (£76 in Pullman). This follows the June Border Raider over Shap and Ais Gill failing to sell out. Clearly the chill economic winds are blowing, even for enticing itineraries with this emblematic loco.

Peter, back in a rain-sodden Manchester
http://pjhrailpics.fotopic.net

 

Re: THE CHRISTMAS CORONATION 18 TO 20/11/10

Thanks for the clarification Ralph.

 

Re: THE CHRISTMAS CORONATION 18 TO 20/11/10

Times for this 3 day trip with Tornado should be available at uksteam.info later today. The northbound run from Kings Cross-Edinburgh on the 18th is a bit faster that the Top Gear trip ! Should be a good 3 days - I gather that there are still some seats available.

David

 

Re: THE CHRISTMAS CORONATION 18 TO 20/11/10

Sounds like its going to be a good trip