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The Cheltenham Flyer

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Ben Vintage-Trains, Mar 25, 2013.

  1. Nick Gough

    Nick Gough Well-Known Member

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    Could be a bit tricky for boarding at Tyseley if 5043, water carrier and support coach are on the back! :)
     
  2. eggbert

    eggbert Member

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    Hopefully everything will work out in the end and all the doubters can be proved wrong, can I ask this and say if the tour was advertised as a slow runner, instead fo the speedy non-stop, would people still book up?
    I say make the most of whats on offer, as these trips could easily change, im just happy that the trip is on and will be storming up sapperton, see you there:)
     
  3. david1984

    david1984 Resident of Nat Pres

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    That's precisely the problem I reckon, some less clued up passengers probably think as it's a tour as opposed to a service train, it will wait a couple of minutes for them, obviously 99% of us can tell the time, but it still doesn't stop the odd one kicking up a fuss, even if its their own fault, on a tour I was on to Redmire the other week, we left someone behind at Leicester because he was too late.
     
  4. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Advertising an earlier departure time just ensures that the train can leave on time, and there is no danger of incurring delay minutes. It's all right saying leave the stragglers behind, but it does no good to try to depart when there are still people getting on the train, better get them there earlier and seated, and avoid any hassle. Leaving people behind does not do the tour companies reputation any good at all.

    And how often do people get left behind on 'proper' trains, answer, often. You want to spend an hour sitting on a busy station and see how many arrive too late.
     
  5. dublo6231

    dublo6231 Member

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    Does anybody know what the load is and are we to take the RTT weight info as gospel? 8 + Support + GUV?
     
  6. A1X

    A1X Well-Known Member

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    Except on London Midland. Obviously.
     
  7. camraman

    camraman Member

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    Even they are certainly more likely to arrive and depart on time than buses! As for the 'stragglers' mentioned previously, trying to cater for them surely is misguided and leads eventually to chaos, Don't know of any other company apart from VT that do this. I met a chap from USA on a York trip about three years ago. He was a railwayman but would you believe didn't have a watch. Needless to say really he missed the return train. Perhaps we should have waited for him.
     
  8. 84A

    84A New Member

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    I laughed at this! The amount of times i've descended the steps at University station to find the 18:45 train already gone (literally out of sight), when the time on the display isn't even 18:44.

    Still, it could be worse. Only 10 mins for the next one (which always seems to be delayed though?). If this happened somewhere like Bromsgrove i'd be really miffed!

    Back on topic, hope the tour goes well tomorrow and 5043 puts in another great performance!
     
  9. stevepurves

    stevepurves New Member

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    8 late at worcester. 5043 on back
     
  10. stevepurves

    stevepurves New Member

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    4 late at cheltenham. Coach g seat 6
     
  11. stevepurves

    stevepurves New Member

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    18 early at swindon
     
  12. Devonbelle

    Devonbelle New Member

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    17 early over Didcot East Junction. Looking at the timings, some smart running already - for a 75mph limited loco Swindon-Didcot looks like a good leg.

    Devonbelle
     
  13. stevepurves

    stevepurves New Member

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    Reading 18 early
    Steve
     
  14. eggbert

    eggbert Member

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    Went very well up Sapperton, roughly 10 mins early, might be trying to catch an earlier road from swindon
     
  15. grahamwright

    grahamwright New Member

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    On the fast line from Twyford, 18 early
     
  16. stevepurves

    stevepurves New Member

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    25 early at slough. Fast line
     
  17. grahamwright

    grahamwright New Member

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    Almost 40 early at Acton so crawling before Paddington waiting for a platform.
     
  18. grahamwright

    grahamwright New Member

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    Paddington 10:30 - great run...
     
  19. campainr

    campainr Well-Known Member

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    I've got some lovely humble pie here now would anyone like a slice? ;)
     
  20. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Swindon to Paddington - 77 miles in 88 minutes is a brilliant effort in 2013 on a busy network (where charters come last!) so perhaps a thank you to NR/FGW people is in order? Let's hope that they can do something similar on the way back when I'm on it.
     
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