Steam Dreams 2013 & 2014 Archive

Another rarely-considered itinerary is the Forth Circle tours operated by the SRPS. A reasonable start for a morning circuit over the Forth Bridge from Linlithgow then via Dalmeny, Cowdenbeath, Dunfermline, Alloa, Stirling, Larbert and back to Linlithgow in time for lunch whilst the train continues ecs to Dalmeny for an afternoon circuit. A reasonably-priced steam haul along a varied landscape with an opportunity for travellers on one circuit to arrange lineside photography on the other yet it rarely seems to get a mention.

Referring to the Shakespeare is much like the consideration of the seasonal Jacobites; Torbay Coast and South Coast services where there is a reasonable journey time each way a reasonable break for refreshments and a look around and a reasonable start / finish time. To the railway operators it's a regular schedule, to the NR timetable it's a scheduled service and to passengers on the day it helps to be a turn-up-and-go operation although I assume that pre-booking is de rigeur.

In that context lies my one complaint - why can't the operators "reserve" one coach for turn-up-and-go passengers as there are some people [e.g. shift workers] who cannot plan so far in advance and only know of free days at short notice. I'm sure there are many who would like to travel but find no space available; is there no way that such people could be accommodated on the day ?

 

If you were running a tour, would you risk having an empty coach when you could possibly sell it out in advance? No point in dragging around a load of fresh air on the off chance a few people might turn up on the day. Best bet is to phone up a day or two in advance and see about availability, or book in advance and run the risk that you might not be able to make it.

 

I think I would try it a few times, just to see what impact it had on loadings and revenue.

 

Does it? Thanks, that's interesting. I'd heard it was normally sold out weeks in advance.

 

Steam Dreams list the train mobile on the back of their current brochure for On the day bookings or availability.

On RTC trips the train manager Les Fishburn has sold some of the stewards seats to on the day customers.

 

From the website : -Some seats might be available to ‘Pay on the Day’. However, these operate on a first come first served basis and cannot be guaranteed. These seats can be purchased on the day from the guard at your chosen station.

 

Thanks for the responses which indicate that some "seasonal" services provide a "turn up on the day" facility - now if they publicise it a little more with a note that Advance Booking is the best way to guarantee seating trains may be better filled.

 

SSE has a coach for pay on the day - well it did last time I rode it - and it seemed to fill well. I suspect WCR have down their homework in this respect.

 

Good public relation methinks; if you can't have "Pay on the Day" then potential customers may think the product is exclusive and be turned off becoming potential customers.

 

In the absence for a thread for either of the Circular tours on Saturday, this thread seems the right place to post the following 3 tweets from 5305LA's Oliver Crowell account which spell a gloomy story:

Oliver Cromwell‏@Cromwell70013
Fire Brigade strike and operational problems getting 70013 back to Southall at night mean loco will sadly be unable to work trains on Sat.
Oliver Cromwell‏@Cromwell70013
Reports of the 'Brit's demise are exaggerated; the loco is fit to run, but we are very sorry for the disappointment caused, which we share.
Oliver Cromwell‏@Cromwell70013
Next job for 70013 is now 'The East Riding' for RTC, from King's Cross to Scarborough and return, a week on Sat. http://www.railwaytouring.net/uk-day-trips/east-riding…

 

Not seen many of these 2x circulars run from London, they always seem to end up canceled one way or another.

I had thought a few times in the past for doing one last minute, as fares were usually reflective of a shorter day out. However this one is full price so wasn't even in the starting list.

 

Steam Dreams themselves seem to have no announcement or comment to make, we should be thankful for the 5305 La information and honesty.

 

Other than this on their website!



Please note that should the proposed Fire Brigade Union's strike go ahead Network Rail have banned the use of steam on the National Network therefore this trip may be diesel hauled throughout.

 

Do Steam Dreams have most of the locomotives allocated for this summer season because the locomotive picture looks a little iffy w/ 34067 up north for repairs which I think might take longer than expected. and 70000 still out of action.

Also I won't be surprised if Black 5 44932 stays and shall be needed out of London.

Big shame about this Saturday. What in the world is wrong with these fire brigades going on strike. This is not the only tour this weekend that is affected by this.

 

This was not on their website when I made the comment and is on the timings page which potential customers may not look at.

Out of interest I 'mystery shopped' S D by telephone and was told seats were available but nothing about Diesel Haulage was mentioned, this was just after lunch today.