Railway Touring Company 2016

The danger is that RTC gets strung along with two-week promises like last year. My gut feeling is that its too complex a trip for a DBS-only market (do they even operate to Lynemouth/Boulby?). My guess is that the Exeter and Chester trips that day will run because they have simpler itineraries that have been done by DBS before. Under ordinary circumstances, the change of locomotive wouldn't be a problem, but it'll be a challenge to even get 62005 across the Pennines, let alone two of the things.

 

From what we have heard from the WCRC MD everything should be rosy in the garden by then, so don't worry

 

Precisely. I hear the shrill sound of trumpets o'er the hill on the wind...

 

Also forgot to add...

 

Could you be more specific??? I can't find anything relating to a SPAD back in November 2015...

 

You sure it's not just wind you hear ?

 

No, hark, I hear the sound of a Pendolino's horn.

 

Not a SPAD , Sherwood aForrester safety equipment turned off in October 2015 announced in Nov. I said 'or whatever' for a reason lol. But point still stands-had from November to come up with a new plan since from that point we could see WC were not sticking t the plan. Does anyone know how it's known that the sfety stuff was turned off if the train didnt go through a red etc.

 

IIRC it was picked up from the OTMR?

 

regretfully i would not book nor recommended anyone to book a UK steam day trip with any operator except UK Railtours/A1, Torbay Express or Belmond.

Vintage trains have acted in the complete interest of their passengers and their image - well done for power decisions, sorry you lost out yet again.

as for SD and RTC sorry but with no/little prospect of procuring a TOC to operate imminent trips which are still on sale that's not cricket IMHO

I have every sympathy for RTC, SRPS and PMR Duchess tours as they will lose so much business again for the 2nd season running

 

sorry to hear that - i could paper my bathroom wall with the number of next trip discount vouchers for tours that did not go to plan with a certain opo a few years back and now they have no TOC at all!

i used to book tours in advance but not now - the past few seasons have been a nightmare and now this - more likely book a week or two before

 

I agree but problem is:

UK Railtours - Only 2/3 steam trips a year
Torbay Express - Only one route
Belmond - Costs and arm and a leg

I'll book a Torbay Express (preferably one with the long route) but apart from that I think I'll be settling for galas for my steam fix right now.

 

Damage being done I think in the long run. Mr Gradders here voicing concerns that I guess are held by many. Good luck to RTC but 2 wks from the departure of the Midday Scot it all begins to look suspicious. The tour may go ahead, but it may be that the Duchess is not on the front (DBS?)in which case that should be admitted immediately.

Frankie GraddersWhen does RTC expect to have a train operator contracted to actually haul their trains in the UK again please? and why is RTC selling tickets for trains that are currently scheduled for haulage by WCRC who are currently subject of a UK wide prohibition order and are unlikely to be released from it without substantial investment of time and expense to remedy defects notified by the ORR? Your clients need to be advised of the truth and the probability of their particular chosen excursions actually running as soon as possible and without any delay.
"}" class="UFILikeLink">Like · Reply · March 2 at 6:47pm

The Railway Touring CompanyPlease be advised that we are currently in discussion with other operators to secure our programme, we are not in a position to comment on the current situation relating to WCRC but we are monitoring the progress closely and know that WCRC are working tirelessly to resolve the situation. We are updating passengers when we are aware of changes to a specific tour that they are booked on. If you would like to discuss a future booking you have with us please do not hesitate to contact us on 01553 661500.
"}" class="UFILikeLink">Like · Reply · Yesterday at 2:10pm

Frankie GraddersDear RTC we all know there is only one other operator with a steam licence and how sparse their resources are. May I ask therefore, given the short notice,is 46233 going to Edinburgh two weeks tomorrow?? The other user of the loco the following day has already cancelled their excursion due to the WCRC suspension, and if 46233 doesn't go north - she will presumably not be coming south either - for which tickets are also still on sale.. It is unacceptable to leave passengers gambling on hotels etc to secure travel on excursions that will never happen and such last minute brinkmanship can never be compatible with the 2015 Consumer Protection Act, let alone be covered by terms and conditions that try to validate the inexcusable.
"}" class="UFILikeLink">Like · Reply · Yesterday at 2:24pm

 

It's off of RTC's facebook page. No idea who he is, a member of the public,just as I have no idea who the people are on twitter who are angry at WCRC. Point is that the problems are being aired on a public forum such as facebook. That's all.

 

What a childish exchange of social media with RTC.
They have made their position very clear - they are working very hard with onother TOC, and WCR, to run some of the short term charters as planned.
And yes, they will have to cancel, re schedule, some more, unless DBS can help.
I wonder if the Mr Gradders is actually a paying passenger?

 

I'd wager it's Frank Gradwell, better known to some as TBird Frank.

 

Good question. Nd is a bit childish, but it is in the public eye now and following last year RTC do need to avoid a similar debacle. Theyre overall position is clear yes agreed. However with the departure date of tours coming closer, the specific position is unclear. For example that tour-yes they say that they are after another operator(no reason do believe that they are not trying their hardest of course) but if 46233 is not egistered with dbs then change of ops equals a change of loco and Im aware of people that are wondering whether at the last pos moment we will be told sorry but it's 60163. Isnt social media wonderful though we can all air our arguments in full view of the public lol. My fave is the constant fights in the PS Waverley camp.