RTC 2015

I also did the CCE in 1978, window hanging all the way. Flying Scotsman out and Sir Nigel on the return. Some of my (not very good) photos here
http://www.railwayscenes.com/photos---1978---the-cumbrian-coast-express.html

(Sorry about the thread drift)

 

Cotswold Venturer 18th July cancelled according to UkSteam, also disappeared from RTC website.

 

There is so much uncertainty. I'd like to go on the Weymouth Seaside Express from Bristol on 26th July, but I see now on UK Steam Info that 5029/ 34046 / 35018 have all been replaced by TBA. I certainly don't want to end up with a diesel, so have refrained from booking. I appreciate that operators need early booking commitments in order to be sure of financial viability, but now that WCRC suspension has been lifted it would be nice to see stronger commitments from operators!

John

 

I suspect that Tangmere is the most likely Motive Power but have no confirmation of this. The 26 July may be the only Weymouth Seaside Express to run because of the Bath blockade in August.

 

Well, there's the incentive you need, if you still fancy traveling.

 

Yes 48154 ,on 25/07/1991 ,The West Cumbrian ,turned Sallafield ,I've just checked my photo's for the headboard. 4472 out ,4498 back on 15/08/1978 ,this ran several times in the summer of '78 as the CCE.A black 5 done the trip, maybe the year before, but came back tender first.

 

Had a new summer brochure from RTC in the post today. Looks like the number of regular trips has been cut back due to the WCRC situation. Dorset Coast Express has only six outings this year. Motive power is from a pool of 34067, 35018 & 70013. So at the moment none of the loco's are available as 34067 has been reported as having wheel flats on another thread.

 

To be honest, DCE should only be running about six times a year in any case. The problem with repeat itinerary trips such as this is that they look good on paper, but some inevitably get cancelled due to low bookings, which results in the age-old problem of hotels/travel issues etc.

In other news, the 'Valleys Explorer' seems to have disappeared in the 'Bonfire of the Railtours'. Was going to book it in August, but suspect engineering work might have had a say in the matter. A shame, but in any case, a lot depends on how the entire market settles over the next month before I book another tour on top of those already in the pipeline.

 

Probably UK Steam hasn't updated as the 'Valleys' trip has completely gone from RTC's website, yet is still listed on UKS (conversely, 'The Cheshireman' on 12 Sept. hasn't been listed on UKS for some time, despite having been listed on RTC since January).

 

Perhaps RTC would be well advised to have David proof read it's brochures.

 

A friend was booked on this and found out about the cancelation not from RTC but from me happening to look at the Railway Herald when he was on a train with me. He phoned to complain to be told it was cancelled due to "no stock available" Really? Not enough bookings perhaps?

 

The same reason was given for the cancellation of the Buxton Spa tomorrow. Found it hard to believe that it was 'lack of stock' considering that WCRC stock is not the issue under review, so unless there was/is an embargo on stock movements from Southall to bolster the northern fleet, a lack of transferred bookings/suitable locomotives is probably the real reason. Got a refund in any case.

 

Absolutely. 5029 is listed as being in the "Royal Duchy" pool and no way will we be seeing this engine on hte main line for a while. 35018? 34046? 6023? well, perhaps later in the year, but I doubt if any of them will feature on the repeat-itinterary summer programme.

Not necessarily - what about the winter CME? or the Jacobite?

 

Think we'll find out more about the stock situation on 19th July when there are supposed to be 2 trains in the north and 1 in the south.

 

RTC Weymouth trip that day cancelled according to RH

 

I would imagine that he meant the three tours listed below.
Thanks to uksteam for the info. <BJ>

'THE WAVERLEY'

​

York-Carlisle (WCRC) [wcrc]
45690/45699/46115: York-Leeds-Hellifield-Settle-Carlisle and return

'THE NORTH WALES COAST EXPRESS '

​

Liverpool-Holyhead [wcrc]
45305/70013/60009: Liverpool-Frodsham-Chester-Holyhead and return RYTC

'THE PEAK FORESTER'

​

London Kings Cross-Rowsley (WCRC) [wcrc]
61306: Kings Cross-Peterborough-Stamford-Matlock- Rowsley and return
[Postponed from 10-May] RYTC

 

The lack of stock reason could be feasible as the former MHR green train stock (now in WCRC livery) which SD were using seems to have been withdrawn from use as the Cathedrals Express has been using a different set since the WCRC situation arose.

 

I have just looked at 3 videos ( from this year) of Cath Ex trains have seen a total of 7 coaches in use that were part of the Green Train according to a couple of diferent sources on the internet.