Railway Touring Company

Not surprised to learn a Yorkshireman doesn't buy his cap, do they ever buy anything new?
Inbred whippets, is that the same as sheep to the Welsh?

 

Got my new RTC catalogue through the door today, and though not on the website, they advertise the York Yuletide express on the 25th november running From Liverpool to York. Is this tour still going to run? I'm interested in maybe booking tickets on it if it's still running..
Any info would be useful
Matt

 

Going back to the subject of RTC's current summer operations. It looks as though they are struggling to fill some the trains. I've had 2 e-mails off them in the space of 3 days offering special discounts on a number of railtours.

Maybe it could be something to do with the Olympics being held, and it could be the start of something bad??

 

Antiques

 

:rofl:

 

Deja vu

 

Time will tell, I for one am really looking forward to a trip behind this loco, especially since we lost the immortal sound of 6024

 

6024 was loud but 6023 will bring a different sound to the main line. Looking forward to it.

 

just point out.
6023 has been advertised for this tour in the brochure, but on the website, its down for 70013. They probably copied and pasted the page from last issue.
Emailed RTC about the York train

 

I can't see the point of RTC emailing me, (a THRIFTY Yorkshireman with a selection of flat caps) with offers in the immediate future on tours starting from darn sarf. I'm not getting up at stupid o'clock to drive xxx miles, do a rail trip, get back late, and then drive xxx miles home. The alternative is hotels and after wasting a lot of money on a southern tour (cancelled very late, NOT RTC) I'm not going the hotel route.

 

Yep, a group of three of us making a 300 miles round trip to join the RD on Sunday. Not as a result of a special offer in this instance but if the tour appeals then we'll make the journey to join it. I'd rather be informed of 10 rail tours I can't do than miss out on one I could.

 

Seems RTC are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Just spoke to them regarding cancellation of the dorset coast express on 28th Aug (21st also cancelled). My kids are distraught - they have been looking forward to this for months. RTC say they were cancelled because they were unable to guarantee steam both ways, and they regard the majority of their market to prefer nothing than something less than was promised. I can't speak for those they refer to, but I can tell you my kids would be delighted just to ride behind a steam engine to the seaside (or back), but are incredibly disappointed not to be going at all. (The fact that there are trips still planned for September is no consolation - term will have begun).

For us, finding a date when we are all available, and a tour that starts locally with start/finish times that suit children happens once a year or less, so once the date is locked in anything is better than nothing. (We'll probably still go to Weymouth that day, or maybe Swanage, but with SWT). I appreciate that for others it's more important that the details of the experience are delivered but, with a repeat itinerary like this, is that still the priority?

 

Very true

Mark

 

This is a shame as I think they are more family based trains that some of the longer days. Hope its not an excuse to cover low bookings, which appears to be occuring in the north.

Have you thought about one of the other trips during the period as there is a Cathedrals Express on 26th from London or a trip from Bristol on the 2nd September.

SG

 

For once, I actually approve and their candour is to be appreciated. If they can't guarantee what they have sold this far out, surley it is the best for all concerned to know and the trip cancelled. Yes, with four of my own, I fully understand managing the disappointment of children. I saw that in the faces of parents and children on the aborted/hastily rearranged WSE last month. Kids wanting to go to Weymaouth and seeing Yeovil Steam Depot and Salisbury instead. It would seem we are very short on locos this year.

That said, what about the contracting arrangements in place that made RTC think that they could run the trains.

 

Do the promoters have contracts with the loco providers?

 

Sadly, I fear it could be a cover for low bookings. In the first two weeks of the DCE from this year, the standard/first coaches were not that full - barely 1/2 full I would say. A shame, as this year regular steam down south has been limited due to the Olympics etc...

James at SVN

 

In order to advertise a loco you must surely have the rights to use it for the purpose advertised. So a contract to use said loco on a specific date MUST exist before a product can be sold. If that is not the case, potential mis-selling claims have legs.