The Tynesider, 23rd November 2013

Yet another joke of a railtour.

That's all i'm saying.

 

So glad I didn't book it last week when informed still planned to be steam both ways....

 

Sorry its our mistake this was never planned to be steam both ways
It has been a regular trip and our brochure designer picked up an old tour and amended the locomotive only sorry we did not spot it

Looking at the schedule a return steam trip would now be impossible due to pathing
and customers would get little time in London which is the point of the trip

I have also decided never to run the Tynesider again due to poor bookings and operational difficulties so may be the last Newcastle -London Steam working
It is a very long way and a big ask on the locomotive and support crew

I think calling this train a joke is an insult to WCR ,RTC The 60009 support crew and Mr Cameron who have worked hard planning this trip in difficult circumstances
Nigel Dobbing

 

Nigel, had you not considered using a Deltic on the return run ?
the A1ST has run very successfully very long haul itinieries like this, in part due to the popularity of the class as well as the steam up front, at a much higher fare.

Whilst I know that incurrs an additional hire cost, offset by the lack of need of a WCRC diesel, the faster top speed, and additional interest the class generates could more than offset the cost, help with pathing and make this more attractive.

 

Agreed a deltic/A4 combination would have seen me booking a seat or four.

 

That's a good point/idea........................................ BUT I have have to ask, have the Deltic boys been approached? if not why not? But if they have and the answer was 'no' then what a shame............... two East Coast thoroughbreds on their old stomping ground!

Still, looking forward to seeing the streak head South through Welham Green next Saturday... Hats of to RTC for running the trip !

 

Nigel, that's a shame if this IS the last Tynesider, but obviously if there's little takeup on bookings that's understandable. Would it be better run at a different time of year? Also, as pointed out upthread, a Deltic one way would almost certainly be a draw.

Still, hopefully we can have some decent running when possible next Saturday.

Mark

 

I simply do not understand the sycophantic response to Nigel Dobbing's post. He is managing a company that published an incorrect itinerary and despite enquiries and comments on this site and elsewhere failed to correct it. And this is not the first time that RTC have published misleading information. RTC deserve credit for planning adventurous excursions that appeal to steam enthusiasists but they do themselves no favours by not ensuring accuracy and up to date information particularly on their website.

 

There's not enough Deltic action on the ECML IMO so an A4/Deltic bash would be right up my street. I can think of a number of mates who'd be interested as well.

 

Yet I note that the Capital Christmas Express is still listed as Tangmere hauled notwithstanding the extreme improbability of this happening. I therefore offer another suggestion to Mr Dobbing that he correct his website in a timely manner when the details of trips change.

 

What about June? I am not fan of long trips November - Mid Feb.

 

While applauding RTC for at least trying to run a mainline excursion to London from Newcastle, the performance of it, from the start hardly makes it a day out for normal passengers.

2009, No7 to Kings X, 47's fail on exit from Kings X, transferred to coaches at Peterborough, arrived home 4am Sunday Morning, 1/2 cost refunded.
2010 No 7 to Kings x, 2 hours 20min in Capital 60019 ably assisted from the rear back to York in 4 hours.
2011 Cancelled, problems getting 60019 to Newcastle, arrival time 14.45.
2012 No 9, arrival in capital 13.59, No 7 failed.

The 2011/2/3 have all at some stage "featured" return steam working in the advertising from RTC, and all have seen it withdrawn at a late stage.
To me that is why "locals" are not booking, I ditched it 2 years ago, I don't like being led up the garden path.
Add to that no local advertising for the tour, something that has worked for other trips passing through the area, and low bookings are to be expected, as mentioned before, this is the 1 trip that is worth doing, and as many others mention the "holy grail" of A4/Deltic action, would be a good way forward.

I hope Nigel reads this, and maybe understands the frustration locally, if it can be reworked for say a summer run, with A4/Deltic action, I am sure it would be a success. As for the cost implication, for either more time in London, or a quicker return home, I am sure many would pay that.

 

And I for one would love a trip starting in London with an A4/Deltic combination to the North.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Maybe there's scope for a pair of related tours? Week 1 60009 works Newcastle-Kings Cross in the morning and a Deltic returns the train to Newcastle in the evening; Week 2 60009 works KX-Newcastle and the Deltic returns south. The locos could work a tour, or maybe two, during the week in between over unfamilliar lines, to justify the stay away from base. Or, if Newcastle is closer to the Deltic's base (I don't pay much attention to diesel preservation), do it the other way around with 4464. The northern loco could stay at Southall between duties or perhaps make a guest appearence at a preserved line. Where could the London-based loco stay between tours? NRM Shildon?

The earlier point about little or no local advertising in the North East is surprising. RTC have been quite good, in the past, at getting their tours in the appropriate local papers. Maybe local newspapers aren't so effective as they were?

 

RTC did advertise in the local press and Metro paper.
Maybe RTC need a better proof reader to check there brochure and website before they publish tours that don't add up. I said earlier even though I booked I didn't have any confidence in their idea of returning north with steam as their proposed departure time of 1820 with arrival at 2250 could never be steam hauled even just to York. And now with a booked arrival of 2350 (5 hours for 270 miles) back in the town I would think most would gladly have had less time in London to get back before public transport finished.

 

RTC have previous when it comes to their advertising, the annual Armistice Day tour being just one example. Every year it's advertised as travelling via the North Kent Line, usually with motive power we all know is out of gauge, and every year it ends up taking a different route.

There was a time when they were consistently given the benefit of the doubt on here but that seems to be changing if recent posts are anything to go by. Hopefully they'll get the message and get their act together for 2014.

 

I'm not surprised that bookings are poor, people learn from experience. We booked the 2011 run, advertised as

60007: Newcastle-Kings Cross
60019: Kings Cross-York
http://web.archive.org/web/20111003230127/http://www.uksteam.info/tours/trs11.htm#twk

then
60019: Newcastle-Kings Cross
60019: Kings Cross-York
http://web.archive.org/web/20111104081001/http://www.uksteam.info/tours/trs11.htm#twk

then
60019: Newcastle-Kings Cross
diesel: Kings Cross-Newcastle
http://web.archive.org/web/20111127001021/http://www.uksteam.info/tours/trs11.htm

then cancelled because Network Rail could only offer a 05:00 path from Newcastle rather than the expected 07:00

We had AP tickets from Bangor and a non-refundable travelodge booked, so spent the day visiting the sights of Newcastle.

Interesting, RTC told me it was a pathing issue as above.

 

Tangmere is i believe heading down south tomorrow.