Torbay Express May 24th cancelled

Some years they've started in June. The last time I remember a May run was in 2010, certainly not since.

 

I cannot for the life of me think why any enterprise in the business of promoting a day-trip experience on the UK's main lines should not be entitled to talk up their "product" in a manner that basically says "we use only the finest ingredients". Or that in doing so, it should lay itself open the charge that in some way it is being smug and self-congratulatory. This market needs positive messages right now, and ones that are directed to and relevant to the interests, concerns and needs of the wider potential market - not just the enthusiast community. Creating (or re-creating) confidence and re-assurance have to be at the forefront of the way that messages that are directed to this broader public.

And now, with the cancellation of the Torbay Express we have an interesting parallel to judge the legitimacy of that whole approach. Would anyone dream of criticising UK Railtours, or accusing it of smugness, because a central element of its promotion is - and always has been - that it never cancels tours for lack of support? Of course not - this is a big, big USP for that promoter, and rightly so. Does that somehow demean any other promoter who may find it necessary to do so from time to time, like Pathfinder in the current context? No, not in my view - "Book with Confidence!" is just as powerful a message as "We use only the finest ingredients" and these are both simple, direct and totally legitimate messages - just what's needed now, not the prosaic ramblings of some overproduced brochure.

 

Im hoping to tick off the Torbay Express in the 2016 season, any idea's of good hotels in the Bristol Area.

 

just try booking.com and you want somthing quite close to temple meads for walking there and back unless you rely on taxis - also the lovley waterfornt areas are close by

 

While not wishing to incur the wrath of the "Mainline Steam Business can do no Wrong" brigade, another reason for the lack of bookings on this tour could be the considerable increase in fares, which we discussed in the separate "Torbay Express 2015" thread !

 

It's not cheap that's for sure.

 

We booked early to get the 5% discount. Not really expensive compared to some others and most prices have crept up this year. We have asked for a refund and hope that the WCR dispute is settled so we can go on RTC's 15th May trip which will only cost us a short train ride to Westbury as opposed to a long early morning drive to Bristol

Don

 

I'm sorry, but it's very expensive. RTC are offering the Royal Duchy, (more steam mileage) for less money, so how does that work ?

 

Can room be cancelled for no loss when/if tour cancelled?

 

I think so yes. There's a cheaper rate where you cannot cancel, but the £50 one I'm pretty sure has no penalties.

 

Prices indicate from £47. <BJ>
http://www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-6593-ibis-bristol-temple-meads-quay/index.shtml
Access map

 

Sounds about right, I don't think it's much more than that to give you flexibility to cancel up to 6pm the day before the booked arrival date.

 

Don , the 24th May TE was actually going via bath trowbridge and westbury with pick ups - i assume you knew? the Sept 20th one is also plus maybe some others regards roger

 

Yes thanks that's one of the reasons we chose it

Don

 

Could be lots of reasons but maybe because RTC has more work to cover their overheads

Don

 

Fair point, RTC do run a very high profile world and European tour programme, so perhaps there is a degree of cross subsidy. That said, the hike in TE fares still seems disproportionate to me, albeit possibly related to LSL increasing their hire fees as was suggested by their Ops Manager they would have to. I'm sure some on here would still consider it reasonable if they'd more than doubled however !

 

Rather surprised TBEL cancelled the train so early, bearing in mind that it now seems certain nothing is going to happen with the WCRC situation until 15th May and many enthusiasts must be getting "steam lag", a serious condition only treatable by lots of miles at speed behind steam engines on the mainline. The Torbay Express fits the bill and I'm certain bookings would have increased in the next week or so.
Never know what's absolutely true but we've been told many times that the Riviera Sets are by far the most expensive carriages to hire in and that adds significantly to the cost. Didn't think it would have applied to the TBE though as aren't they part of the same group?

 

News of the acquisition in and around 2006. <BJ>

RIVIERA TRAINS AND FM RAIL ACQUIRE PATHFINDER TOURS
''Riviera Trains, in association with FM Rail, today announced that they
have acquired the business assets of F. & W. Railtours Limited, who
promote railtours and excursions under the name 'Pathfinder Tours'.
This follows the decision by the Director of F. & W. Railtours Limited to
cease trading.
A new company has been formed called 'Pathfinder Tours (2006) Limited'
and is a joint venture between Riviera Trains and FM Rail. Both Peter
Watts and Chris Brooks have joined the new company as employees with
immediate effect.
'Pathfinder Tours (2006) Limited' have agreed to honour bookings
currently accepted by the former company Pathfinder Tours as well as
expand and develop its 2006 programme of rail charters and day trips.
'Pathfinder Tours', whose origins go back to 1973, provide affordable
rail charters aimed at the enthusiast market. The company also runs a
programme of highly successful general interest rail excursions to
destination such as the 'Eden Project' in Cornwall from locations
around Great Britain''.

 

i said this earlier in one of my OP
yet no one seems to have read it

the Torbay Express is a funny market - sometimes even the end of july or the august bank holiday run has often been cancelled historically due to low bookings -
you would think they would be popular dates too but nope it doesnt sell -

they (TE) said they tried for an early season start for 2015 but it didn't work out - I reckon nowt to do with the W Bassett/WCRC debacle. no conspiracy theories!

TE has a loyal following but if you have done it twice/ 3 times already you may want to do it not just yet this early.

and yes, TE, Pathfinder, Riviera trains, and LSL all have close financial connections.