RTC daytrips 2013

Your comments re the WSR betray a misunderstanding and need correction !. The WSR is happy to accept railtours on most days of the year, outside the 6-week summer peak season. This also includes Saturdays in the peak, where the timetable includes specific paths for tours and specials. The only exceptions are certain gala and special event days. Of course if an operator doesn't bother to liaise with the WSR but advertises tours on special event days (eg Thomas the Tank engine), then it is not surprising they can't run ! Fortunately other operators manage their tour planning much better. The first of what could become a regular trip from the Midlands to Minehead arrives on a bank holiday Saturday in May.

On a single line which runs to full capacity on peak summer weekdays, it makes no commercial sense for the WSR to cancel its own heavily loaded services to make way for a railtour, thereby leaving very long gaps between its own services. Moreover it is naive to think that tours can run on arbitrary paths at their own discretion. The pathing of railtours has to follow the same constraints on busy single line heritage railways as they do on Network Rail (ie just like the Newquay branch !!!). In the long term the WSR situation will be improved by increasing the number of intermediate passing loops from 3 to 5, allowing services in both directions at roughly 30 minute intervals, but this will not happen for some time. Incidentally despite the woes reported elsewhere in the SW, 2012 traffic figures on the WSR have held up pretty well on the WSR, falling by only about 3% or so from 2011.

David

 

I am sorry to differ
These trains were agreed with WSR last September based on the succesfull London- Minehead trains which would have continued but for the Reading Block
The WSR were well aware that it was summer saturdays, as were last years London trains but we could not confirm the exact dates untill rules of route checks ha been made and stock and locomotive availability established
We sent the dates first week of January but none were available
Recently we asked for two Saturdays in October of WSR choice but they did not get back to us

The two trains are now running to another preserved line in the South OF England

I am pleased trade at WSR is so good

Nigel

 

I personally am glad that the forum has risen to a level where by two businesses can represent themselves here amicably, in the event of a failure, and without fear of trial by forum.

Weve now had both sides of the argument from both sources.
There is nothing gained in an argument or speculation by the rest of us, so time to draw a line.

Lets respect the fact that two businesses have not made an agreement and move on and shared it with us.

Thanks to both parties for their contributions we are all the better for it and input is welcome in the future !

 

As a shareholder in the WSR since the 'dog days' of the early 1980s, I have always been delighted at the success of this railway to advance from possible failure and closure to its present place near the top, if not actually at the top, of the 'Premier League'. I am reluctant to hear a bad word spoken about the WSR, which offers a tremendous experience with its varied scenery and well restored stations.

However, through workings to me indicate a preserved railway which has graduated to wearing long trousers as a 'senior' branch line, which the Minehead branch was in pre-preservation days, and the steam movement in general should be able to provide the atmosphere of a through Westcountry holiday express behind steam. I don't presume to tell the WSR management how to run the railway, or to tell RTC how to run its business, but as Saturday is usually change-over day for holidaymakers, I'd have thought that it would be a relatively quiet day for 'internal' services. I recall that in the 1980s, summer Saturday trains were all dmu worked - quite a few passengers carrying suitcases. Certainly, communications between the two parties have not been brilliant and we are all the losers for this.

 

Has Nigel ever considered having 86259 be a member of the Crewe Pool considering what it does for most CME's through June of this Year? Would timings out of Crewe work for taking a train out to Carnforth where one of the 3 pacific locomotives would takeover.

 

I'm really hoping that Oliver Cromwell shall be back in the Crewe Pool this year w 6233 and 60009 because that is what Nigel has advertised. One of them in Carnforth the day before going. Then Carnforth-Carlisle-Crewe or Liverpool.

 

What about the gap in the Electrification between Liverpool and Wigan and Manchester and Preston

 

I guess that forces you into a S&c Shap north south?

 

Eh? I don't understand your proposal. Although the summer CMEs start in Crewe, they pick up and set down at stations via Manchester or Liverpool - as Nigel says, neither or these routes are fully electrified, so 86259 can't do it, except I suppose for Crewe - Liverpool and back. Missing out Liverpool and Manchester and running straight up the WCML would miss out the major areas of population in the north west and lose passengers.

 

86259 could play a more prominent role in a few years once the North West wiring starts to take effect, in many ways it's far better than the usual WCR power with better acceleration and top speed meaning you can get a path where a 47 or 37 woulden't keep time, Diesels will always take the lions share of "non steam legs" due to the go anywhere ability, but I do see a need for 1 or 2 electrics in future on a regular basis as the wires spread and paths get tighter.

 

I have seen many class 86's through Bolton over the years.. Be odd to see one under its own power though.

 

Has the mayflower been put back A booking form says 23 th?

 

Yes,unfortunately. 23 March now the new date. RTC is contacting customers ASAP. The train was fully booked.
there has been a last minute problem with train. I am in Vilna next week and would have missed it but back for the 23rd. However,the new line to East Grinstead has already been arranged......
details of the new loco etc will come later or UK steam I suspect. it's been very frustrating so I gather.

 

Ok thanks for fast reply I noticed I could now book this has a extra coach been added or something or people cancelling cause of the new date any idea what the new loco or locos are

 

I am looking at travelling up for the optional daytrip on the GB to Aberdeen however have a question regarding the routing. The tour 'blurb' mentions travelling over the forth bridge on the outward journey but also via Stirling and Perth to Dundee. As the Perth-Dundee section is the main draw for me, could someone from RTC please tell me what the actual planned routing is?

Any help much appreciated.

 

Really tough call now, as I was planning on going to East Grinstead for the Bluebell extension opening... The fact that both the Mayflower AND the Cathedrals Express are working to Kingswear on the same day might sway my decision! Might need to see these two tours on the Saturday and do the Bluebell on the Sunday!

James at SVN

 

Mayflower to kingswear I thought it goes to Plymouth or is this another change

 

Whoops, typo there. You're right, the Mayflower does go to Plymouth.

Thanks!

James at SVN