VT Tours for 2014

We have released our 2014 tours through the end of April, 2014.

We had to move the scheduled trip to the Paignton & Dartmouth from the 5th to the 26th of April as we found out that Network Rail were insistent on digging up the railway in our path on the 5th and 12th. How dare they!

This has allowed us to sneak in a run on 12th April from Solihull to Bath / Bristol via the Berks & Hants on the outbound and returning along the GW Mainline from Bath, via Box to Didcot East where we turn north to Oxford and home.

We are planning on using REG the water carrier as much as possible. We have found that eliminating a water-stop uses significantly less water and coal as the engine stays hot. It’s not the distance that uses all the water as much as the stopping and starting. If eliminating a water-stop in each direction reduces the length of the day by over 1 hour, then it all sounds good to me. We are able to include more photo stops at picturesque places……

(Remember, you are getting the same steam-mileage – just less time sitting in a siding looking at orange high-vises wrestling with hoses!)

There is a new trip in conjunction with Chiltern Railways primarily using D1015 “Western Champion” on 9th Feb….a sprint from Solihull to Marylebone, then a meander around the countryside back to Marylebone, then another sprint home. I know its primarily using a “box” but if you are going to use one, it had better be made in Swindon!

The 15th March to Carlisle is confirmed as 4464 “Bittern” from Crewe > Carlisle > Crewe.

The 29th March to Canterbury is confirmed as 34046 “Braunton” from London > Canterbury > London with a pickup at Kenny O for those that live closer.

And finally, Mr Streeter is hinting at May 10th as a celebration of Clun Castle’s record run over the Devon Banks. We are planning something special for the day. The motive power will be a combination of D1015 “Western Champion” and another double-chimney Castle standing in for Clun. (no - they are not double-heading!)

The train is to be called Z48 in honor of the reporting number for the 1964 record run. It’s going to be a very limited load over the banks behind the Castle, so it’s not going to be cheep!

For more details on all our tours, visit www.vintagetrains.co.uk

Regards

Ben

 

Re Z48
Quality costs and, having sampled Chiltern and Cheltenham non stoppers this year, it's well worth it. Lets hope D1015 makes it this time.
Ben can one pre-register interest so as to be kept informed?

 

^^ What he said. Have already put 10th May in the diary - a VT special is always very special indeed

 

Ben will there be a discount if part 1 and part 2 of the 9th of Febuary tour are booked at the same time?

 

Send me an email to ben@vintagetrains.co.uk (so I have your email) and I will add you to "The List". The same goes for anyone who thinks that they fancy a day out on the GWR on 10th May, 2014.

Cheers!

 

Maybe......give me a ring! lol

 

Any idea when details for May 10th might be known ?, I think I'd be interested but can't say for certain until itinary/prices are known.

 

Details of May 10th aren't going to be revealed until mid/late December. To be honest, we are not 100% sure what it is going to look like yet. We have to see if everything we want to do can be squeezed into a (sensible) day.

 

Thanks Ben, hopefully should be doing the Canterbury trip too.

 

Ben, I hope you have something like the Cumbrian Conqueror for 2014 like you did this year.

 

Sound's like it could be a good trip any updates on 7029 or is this planned soon.

 

What is the possibility of the class 25 doing a trip or two on the PDSR on the 26th April ? Would, perhaps !!!!, create a little more interest for the diesel enthusiasts travelling.

 

Possibly the train will split in two, with the castle heading over the banks and the Western taking another route.

 

Full details of 1Z48 in the next edition of Steam Railway - onsale just before the New Year I believe.

All our tours through Sept 14 will be announced with our new brochure the first week of 2014.

Cheers!