RTC 'The High Peak Explorer: 17/03/18

Oh dear, sorry should have gone you know where!

 

Advertising something four or five months out that is merely a vague wish is somewhat different to dealing with enforced changes close to the event. As I said, book the date, offer a known acceptable route then refine it if you can rather than tempt folk with a tantalising offer only to let them down as the day draws closer.

 

It would help if promoters' terms and conditions stated explicitly that full refunds are payable in the event of substantial changes to the route or timings after the booking is made but some time before the trip happens. That wouldn't solve last minute changes due to delayed gauging by NR or a loco failing FTR, but it would cover cases like the High Peak Explorer. It would still leave uncertainty about how long before and how big a change but it would be better than nothing.

 

Regarding advertising the 'safe' option first, then it might as well be a repeat itinerary trip, which kind of defeats the object of the exercise, which is to try something different. I'd rather know precisely what the thinking is to start with and understand the challenges as things change than just be given something with a 'maybe' attached to it. What happens if the maybes can't ever be delivered? That's also promising something in the marketing that may or may not happen, so back to square one.

If you don't like the way this sort of thing works, which previous conversations over two years makes clear that you don't, then that's fine. No-one's forcing you to book these trips; but you should be able to see by now that the argument is circular, just as the responses are, and therefore marks the point at which debate descends to dogma and diatribe.

There are, however, people like myself and others on this forum who are willing to take a punt on breaking the monotony, and making small pieces of railway history in the process.

 

You're obviously wrong there @Big Al !

 

Totally get all that, the problem being if things are repeatedly changed from advertised eventually consumer confidence will be eroded and the whole market undermined.
Thats me done now, promise.

 

Off to buy a class 8 now that you've got it all worked out are you?

(Better buy two of them in case one lets you down. Just to be sure.)

 

Just as the debate ends amicably, someone has to put the boot in nine minutes later, regardless of the jocular use of emojis. Happy new year on here? I'm still hopeful...

 

I may be repetitious but at least I can claim constructive intent so perhaps some folk ought to reflect on their own behaviour in that respect.
I do not get why you, and others, have to resort to to snide personalised remarks when there is an actual topic to discuss. Then again, sarcasm is the biggest weapon of the smallest mind I suppose.

 

Quite and I admire the optimism but some hostile behaviour by certain posters is so entrenched it feels to be a fools errand hoping for better.

 

Whilst that may be true, how folk respond is a matter of choice and impatience is no excuse for intemperance or intolerance.

 

UKSteam now updated as per current RTC itinerary. Nice to speculate for a little while, and it will be interesting to see how Saphos succeeds where this has fallen short. Consequently, I'll be booking it fairly soon.

 

You really do need to try to 'lighten up' a bit, I viewed Mr copper-capped post as a bit of humour.It's not a perfect world out there, if it was it would be very boring indeed.

 

Thanks Victor. I guess you were the only one who noticed the smiley. (Perhaps I should have stuck a diesel emoji on the back of it to make sure it got through!)

 

Thanks for the unsolicited advice old boy but I am fairly clear in my own mind how our antipodean correspondent intended his remarks.
Apparently my comments are boring in any case so no win really but at least I try to stick to venturing opinions on the subject matter of topics rather than about the nature of other folks comments.

 

Unsolicited maybe, but it's well intentioned. You have a right to your opinions and a right to express them but you've been banging the same drum for a long time now and frankly it's got a bit boring. You're not going to change anything with constant repetition of the same gripe.
I've lost money in the past on railtours that didn't happen, it's a fragile business, unforeseen problems can crop up at anytime, I honestly don't believe a tour company would knowingly advertise something that they know will not happen.

 

All of which I have acknowledged and frankly your own drum is pretty well worn now telling me off for expressing a recurrent set of opinions. Interesting that, given how you and others have suggested we shut up, because it makes no difference, Saphos has launched featuring much of the clarity suggested in various quarters as necessary. Total coincidence I am sure but nevertheless shows it is possible to be open minded even in this heritage product.
As for adverts being reliable, well I admire your confidence. If anyone is lacking a dose of reality it certainly isn't me.