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Great Britain XVII - 26/04 to 4/05/25

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Big Al, Aug 15, 2024.

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  1. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

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    I wonder if this (highlighted below) is a significnat part of the problem
    West Coast seems to have been able to get away wtih Mk 2 aircons and diesels on the back for some of its tours but when you consider the price of the GB tours now and that the clientele is going to be far more hard core enthusiasts, who will be a lot more fussy, it is hardly surprising if demand is down.

    Also, perhaps to the novelty element of the GB tours is waning. Still, as Ralph has pointed out, RTC must still have thought it was viable. I hope he (and they) are right.
     
    John Petley, Apr 25, 2025 at 12:03 PM
    #161
  2. Rander

    Rander Member

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    The 2024/2025 rake only differs from 2023 in terms of seating capacity by the fact that the RMBF replaces an FO. The 2019-2023 trains only featured one kitchen car and no buffet car. I think an RMBF seats 36 (six bays of six), so that's only 6 down on a full FO (42 seats).
     
    Rander, Apr 25, 2025 at 12:11 PM
    #162
  3. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Well-Known Member

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    Possibly. Very hard to tell how much of an impact the MK2s are having without speaking to every single passenger on every trip, whose had previous MK1 experience. And even then do Joe Public keep booking if the enthusiast doesn’t?
     
    2857Harry, Apr 25, 2025 at 12:16 PM
    #163
  4. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    My original post wasn't a criticism and with a diesel on the back there is a train length limit anyway in parts of the south, for certain. I was simply reflecting on the reality of a land tour by rail when you also have to accommodate the catering, stewards and technical folk on the train and also at accommodation during the trip. It's little wonder that, for example, the day to Wick (half of which is diesel hauled) is costed at a starting price of £245.
     
    Big Al, Apr 25, 2025 at 12:26 PM
    #164
  5. 3ABescot

    3ABescot Member

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    Monday's leg of the trip looks likely to be diverted away from the Marches Line because of a collapsed culvert yesterday. I received an email from Transport for Wales at 1601 today from which this is the relevant paragraph:
    "Rail services between Hereford and Shrewsbury are currently experiencing significant disruption following the collapse of an underground culvert. Network Rail teams are now on-site and working on fixing the problem.
    As a result, train services will not run between Hereford and Shrewsbury and Shrewsbury and Llandrindod.
    There will be a full closure of the railway between Hereford and Shrewsbury from Friday 25 April into Tuesday 29 April, however this may change as investigations continue..." The email advises passengers on regular services about alternative routes on which their tickets will be valid and bus replacement services.

    This also applies:
    https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/major-disruption-on-hereford-to-shrewsbury-rail-line

    There is also plenty of media coverage. It looks a big job.
     
    3ABescot, Apr 25, 2025 at 5:40 PM
    #165
  6. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    That's a tricky one for NR and GBXVII. This feels like a reroute from Hereford across the Malvern line to the West Midlands and then north via Wolverhampton, maybe, and Crewe.
     
    Big Al, Apr 25, 2025 at 5:49 PM
    #166
  7. Kje7812

    Kje7812 Part of the furniture

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    When was the last time steam went through Malvern and Ledbury tunnels?
     
    Kje7812, Apr 25, 2025 at 7:40 PM
    #167
  8. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I recall that Braunton went from Worcester to Hereford in 2014.
     
    Big Al, Apr 25, 2025 at 7:46 PM
    #168
  9. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    Whatever problems may occur as the tour progresses tomorrow’s is looking good. Clan Line was cleaned to perfection, oiled and prepared when I left Stewart’s Lane this afternoon.
     
    Johnb, Apr 25, 2025 at 7:51 PM
    #169
  10. iwr

    iwr New Member

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    44871 & 45407 Welsh Marches Express to Cardiff BMI to CDF 27 November 2016
     
    iwr, Apr 25, 2025 at 7:53 PM
    #170
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