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Steam Dreams 2013 & 2014 Archive

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by free2grice, Aug 10, 2013.

Page 18 of 33
  1. mike1522

    mike1522 Long Time Member Friend

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    Braunton Has GB tour.
     
    mike1522, Apr 18, 2014
    #341
  2. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    Braunton is on THE GREAT BRITAIN VII.
     
    Paul42, Apr 18, 2014
    #342
  3. JDTTRAINS

    JDTTRAINS Member

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    Oh yeah, my mistake...
     
    JDTTRAINS, Apr 18, 2014
    #343
  4. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Just received the latest Steam Dreams brochure covering trips between now and the end of the year. If we forget the ACE and the Christmas Carol events, by my reckoning that's 26 day or half day trips - quite a programme. However......I was rather surprised to spot that no less than 19 of these will involve a diesel at some point.

    That's an interesting departure from the original "all steam" Steam Dreams concept and this seems to mark the cementing of something that has been creeping up on us for some time. I think I get the logic. If you can pick up people locally by diesel and take them to the steam section, then for the traveller there is a cost saving in not having to pay to get to London, or wherever the steam section would have otherwise started. So, for example, if you live in Southend, rather than paying to go to London to get the KX-York trip on 22/5, you can get your train from Southend to Peterborough on 14/6 where steam comes on.

    If this keeps the steam business alive, then so much the better. And I guess if it also gets over the problem of travelling to London to get your train (that can be an expensive business mid week), whilst keeping the length of day for loco and support crew to something manageable, then we should welcome the changes.

    I suspect it won't suit everyone though but we've come to realise, I guess, that this is not about pleasing all of the people all of the time.
     
    Last edited: May 16, 2014
    Big Al, May 16, 2014
    #344
  5. buseng

    buseng Part of the furniture

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    Also noticed most do not have a "Rostered Loco" above the fare chart.
     
    buseng, May 16, 2014
    #345
  6. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    So what are you trying to say?
    If they specify a loco and for some reason it is not available there are complaints, if they do not specify a loco, because at this stage they are not quite sure what is going to be available, there are complaints. So with some people they are in a no win situation.
     
    RalphW, May 16, 2014
    #346
  7. buseng

    buseng Part of the furniture

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    I wondered how long it would be before you came back & have a dig at one of my posts, it's been some while now.
    I was only stating facts, not trying to say anything.
    Perhaps people like to travel behind particular locomotives, it can be make or break whether anyone decides to book or not. Yes they are steam, but people still have their favourites.
     
    Last edited: May 16, 2014
    buseng, May 16, 2014
    #347
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  8. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    They usually update their website once a loco has been allocated. A recent allocation was 70000 for the trip on the 28th June 2014.
     
    Paul42, May 16, 2014
    #348
  9. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Looks like Paul has the answer, the web site is updated when the loco is confirmed, by the way trying to answer your comment does not in my book make it a 'dig' at you. It's called discussing the point.
     
    RalphW, May 18, 2014
    #349
  10. springers

    springers Member

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    I recently booked on the Kings Cross to York trip on 22nd.May joining at St Neots.My daughter lives 5 minutes from the station so very convenient.I noticed last week that UKSteam and RTT now have the train picking up at Huntingdon instead,I queried this with Steam Dreams on Friday and they were unaware of any change saying that the final Network Rail timings had not yet been issued and I would have to wait until Monday for final information.My ticket arrived on Saturday by e'mail still saying St.Neots.Does anybody know the correct information ?? Thanks in advance.
    Colin.
     
    springers, May 18, 2014
    #350
  11. JDTTRAINS

    JDTTRAINS Member

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    Not scheduled for a pick-up on the outward, but sets down at Hitchin on the return.
     
    JDTTRAINS, May 18, 2014
    #351
  12. gwr4090

    gwr4090 Part of the furniture

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    The Times have changed slightly. It now stops at Hertford North, Hitchin and Huntingdon both ways.
     
    gwr4090, May 19, 2014
    #352
  13. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    I see the Steam Dreams Southend - York will now have steam only from Ely to York. Poor value IMO.
     
    Spamcan81, Jun 13, 2014
    #353
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  14. Drysdale

    Drysdale Guest


    Especially so when you look at the White Rose 2 with 4464 on the same day. Perhaps some people really value a crisp white tablecloth!
     
    Drysdale, Jun 13, 2014
    #354
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  15. KentYeti

    KentYeti Guest


    Come on now, that's being a bit unfair.

    You missed out the fact that you also get served complimentary tea and coffee at your seat throughout the journey.
     
    KentYeti, Jun 13, 2014
    #355
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  16. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Indeed. And even more so when on another thread someone said the diesel from Southend was the price of getting steam from Peterborough to York and back. :rolleyes: There may be other issues at play here but I'm glad I'm not on it.
     
    Spamcan81, Jun 13, 2014
    #356
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  17. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Just as well they weren't on the Rhein-Pfalz Plandamof then. No table cloths, no tea and biscuits. Just thrash and a head (or three) out of every window. Magic.
     
    Spamcan81, Jun 13, 2014
    #357
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  18. mrKnowwun

    mrKnowwun Part of the furniture

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    You don't even get steam back. Its steam Ely to York, and thats it. You only get 4 hours and 8 minutes of steam out of a day - about 150 miles - work out your own truly pathetic average speed. Plus they have the ruddy cheek to stop and water the thing after only 27 minutes and 15 miles, despite the fact its been stabled at Ely sidings for 3.5 hours!

    If I had booked that trip I would be kicking off.
     
    mrKnowwun, Jun 13, 2014
    #358
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  19. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Rearrange the following words into a well known phrase. Plot the losing.
     
    Big Al, Jun 13, 2014
    #359
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  20. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    I am really wondering why I renewed my SD Membership this year after getting the last brochure. I also have an additional discount to use on one trip as compensation for a diesel hauled steam trip we had last year with 60163 in light steam tucked in behind a class 67. Trouble is there is not much to choose from picking up round our way. We were going to book the Weymouth trip later this month but haven't heard if 34046 is available for it yet. Plus, the best section out of Weymouth is diesel hauled on this trip, with 34046 coming back on at Yeovil. :(
     
    green five, Jun 13, 2014
    #360
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