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Merchant of Avon - Summer Sundays

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Will RL, May 8, 2019.

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  1. Will RL

    Will RL Member

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    West Coast’s solution in keeping the former Shakespeare paths

    https://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/m/merchant_of_avon/merchant-of-avon-details.cfm
     
    Will RL, May 8, 2019
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  2. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Well I can only hope that the good people of Burton and points south to Coleshill are better behaved than with Flying Scotsman otherwise their publicity that states....
    "Photographers will line the route in the hope of catching a glimpse of our noisy workhorse at the front".
    ......may turn around and bite them!
     
    Big Al, May 8, 2019
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  3. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    Can we assume that VT will pick up the other dates ?
     
    LMarsh1987, May 8, 2019
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  4. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    Paul42, May 8, 2019
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  5. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    No love lost between WCR and VT then. VT big losers on their bread and butter route.
     
    1020 Shireman, May 8, 2019
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  6. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    I am confused however, didn't the Shakespeare's run every weekend so how come they have ended up split between WCRC/VT if there is no love lost? Likewise how long can WCRC claim rights to paths as they were not used at all last year?

    Don't know how much the SE used to be but the WCRC ones seem cheap for a longer run?
     
    GWR4707, May 8, 2019
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  7. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    If I was VT, I would be looking to undercut WCR !
     
    LMarsh1987, May 8, 2019
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  8. Western Venturer

    Western Venturer Well-Known Member

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    This is a slap in the face for VT," sorry we cant supply crew,engines,stock for you but we can run our own trains and undercut your fares.. " all the better for punters though
     
    Western Venturer, May 8, 2019
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  9. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    What if West Coast decided to the same? Somehow I get the feeling that West Coast would rather run at a loss than lose business to Vintage Trains.

    Not if Vintage Trains lose out to West Coast Nick. Five out of ten Sundays lost to West Coast this year, what will happen next year? <BJ>
     
    free2grice, May 8, 2019
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  10. NathanP

    NathanP Member

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    Exceptional value for money. £38 for six hours of steam. It will be interesting to see how successful this becomes.

    I suppose a cynic could say that the reason why WCR stopped operating VT's trains was because they saw how phenomenally successful the Birmingham - Stratford route was and wanted the profits all to themselves. I don't suppose they ever imagined that VT would become their own operator instead and resume operations.
     
    NathanP, May 8, 2019
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  11. Western Venturer

    Western Venturer Well-Known Member

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    True Bill.. but if they pitch price right they could expect full trains for all the tains if they run them all..
     
    Western Venturer, May 8, 2019
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  12. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Suddenly the market in the Midlands and out towards the north west is becoming very crowded, what with WCRC, LSL and VT.

    What we don't know, and I bet each of these operators doesn't know either, is the extent of shared customers on their databases. If each has its own dedicated client group then all should be good. But if not, there may well be empty seats appearing on trains.

    We shall see.
     
    Big Al, May 8, 2019
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  13. crusader612

    crusader612 New Member

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    I find it hard to see how this alternate Sunday outcome through the Summer has arrisen without some mutual discussion/ agreement? Not sure why it is assumed there must animosity between the 2 operators.
    We will have to wait and see if VT have protesters with placards on Tysley station when the WCRC train pulls in?
    I wonder if WCRC are working on plans for an 'Antarctic express' over 3 weeks next winter up
    to Christmas to sink the young southern upstarts at VT ? After all WCRC must be twiddling their toes having already completed the organising of their 'up north' Santa's!
    Exciting times!
     
    crusader612, May 8, 2019
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  14. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    Bit of a contradiction there. <BJ>
     
    free2grice, May 8, 2019
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  15. Bulleid Pacific

    Bulleid Pacific Part of the furniture

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    VT do have a loyal local following, and I didn't recognise anyone last Saturday. I think there is potential for WCRC to open a bit of the market in South Yorkshire if the timings are sensible, but I agree that there is potentially a law of diminishing returns the longer they run as markets get saturated.
     
    Bulleid Pacific, May 8, 2019
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  16. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    I have mixed feelings on this . Firstly great for steam in midlands and a little variety , although which engine it will be remains to be seen . Book now open, 10p on 45699 although given the title 35018 would be welcome

    When other operators ignored Stratford , Vintage trains operating the Shakespeare's was our little bit main line steam . Middle Chrome green and chocolate and cream bringing back memories of holiday trains in the steam era . I know WC were the TOC but it was VT's product

    From conversations this evening I understand matters are amicable

    just reading the West Coast material and as I interpret it

    Loco first from Burton to Stratford, run round , water ? and then tender first via Dorridge to snow hill , then loco first (only 20 minute run round) to Stratford

    Loco will then need to be turned and serviced before the return . Given the need to go to Dorridge , engine will need coal you would anticipate and then a good watering

    I will be interested to see the final operation and timings
     
    Sidmouth, May 8, 2019
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  17. mattspencer

    mattspencer Well-Known Member

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    Provisional times show 15:04 into Stratford, back out at 17:10 so 2 hours to turn and service.
     
    mattspencer, May 8, 2019
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  18. Davo

    Davo Well-Known Member

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    I think its good this one W.C.R. are offering longer steam miles commencing at Burton on trent to S.O.A. and at a cheaper price compared with V.T. commencing at birmingham snow hill and a dearer price but its going to be some competition i bet with V.T. running their trains 1 in july 2 in august and 2 in september and W.C.R. doing likewise 2 in august and september and 1 in july exept on different days in the 3 months between both T.O.C.
     
    Davo, May 8, 2019
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  19. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Equally though burton isn’t a natural start point . I wouldn’t drive north to get the train which also is quite a long day out
     
    Sidmouth, May 8, 2019
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  20. Davo

    Davo Well-Known Member

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    Just a shame it is on a sunday cos anyone not from the midlands without their own transport would have to stay in a hotel overnight to go on this tour cos there are no early service trains on a sunday to get to burton on trent at 9:30am.
     
    Davo, May 8, 2019
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