Railway Touring Company 2016

But there is the problem with your "unofficial" comments. You volunteer on RTC tours and have a better network with WCRC. You make statements one day and then other days you claim no inside knowledge. I take your comments on anything to do with RTC and WCRC with a very large pinch of salt as you have a very severe conflict of interest.

 

Just hit the ignore button Ralph. Trouble is-- then you can't understand what half the rest of the conversation is about. But hey, what's new?

 

In fact ORR is the responsible enforcement authority for the Consumer Rights Act 2015 in relation to passenger TOC activity, not Trading Standards.

 

Does that apply also to marketing companies who are not TOCs?

 

The discussion was about promoters, not TOCs, so not sure of the relevance here.

 

Slightly complicated by the third party contractual issues but my interpretation is that a TOC carries responsibility for the operation of services as advertised. If there are route, timing or seating issues on the day then the TOC is ultimately liable would be my assessment.
The marketing agent is in the hands of the TOC surely and that would have to be the starting point of any investigation. I would guess if it became clear the advertising had been false or misleading it would get referred by ORR to TS.

 

Ralph its not worth the aggro is it but judging by your likes you still have a fan club

 

Worcester trips on 25/09 and 26/11 no longer on website.

 

Sapperton cursed this year or just very bad luck?
Not very good this year for our line

 

Seeing as to how RTC have made changes to their schedule, I really hope that an Oliver Cromwell move to somewhere is not going to be that long in coming.

 

Then again, will Cromwell with its vacuum brakes be allowed out without a tailgunner? Another potential steam for show candidate.

 

The Dartmouth Express on 1st and 22nd October seem to be cancelled. Maybe the new higher fares have put people off, £135 Standard, £195 First and £279 Premier.

 

RTC now advertising The West Somerset Steam Express on 22/10/16. They previously advertised The Dartmouth Express on this date which has been cancelled.

 

The 3rd December 2016 trip Three Bridges to Bath is now 18th March 2017 ( Same day as SD trip Horsted Keynes - Worcester Shrub Hill).

 

27 November now has 44871 and 45407 (or even 45212?- doubt it!) to Cardiff instead of 70013. I'd say this improves the odds of a 'clean steam' trip, and there are some pretty good gradients to be tackled over the course of the day: Llanvihangel, Colwall and the Lickey (all being well). However, the bookings seem slow, despite the reasonably unusual route through New Street and University- hen's teeth spring to mind for the dedicated track basher that favours steam haulage. My finances are tight, but I'll more than likely be booking on it.

 

With two Fives now at the front, I'd expect a surge in bookings, especially with the climb up the Lickey on the return. This trip has the potential for being a top day out ! Surely pure steam too !

 

In fact 44871 and 45407 have replaced 70013 for the rest of 2016. These tours shall run.

 

Except the 12/11 Royal Wessex.