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Vintage Trains Bahamas Tours

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by David likes trains, Jun 25, 2019.

  1. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    Not bookable on their website. x In red circle alongside and on tour list.
     
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  2. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

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  3. NathanP

    NathanP Member

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    It wouldn't surprise me if the 6th was cancelled. It clashes with Pathfinder's 60163 trip to Kingswear which the usual pool of passengers from Birmingham and Worcester will probably be booked on. I certainly am. I don't think there is a large enough supply of potential passengers to fill both trips. Plus VT are running these Cotswold trips too frequently; there should be one every couple of months instead of one every three weeks.
     
  4. Dobbs0054

    Dobbs0054 Member

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    But Bankers did not get dragged along for the rest of the day...
     
  5. David likes trains

    David likes trains Member

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    Heard from the horse's mouth at Tyseley last weekend that they were unsure how many different routes they would be able to run on this year, they initially put so many of these Oxford circulars in the programme as they knew that was one they knew they could definitely do at the time with the personnel available.
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2019
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  6. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    It was a different railway then. Remember Dick Hardy’s words back in the 80s. ‘ with a bit of luck we may be able to keep steam running on the main line until around 1995 but I don’t think it’s realistic to expect it to continue after that’, and be thankful.
     
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  7. offbeat

    offbeat New Member

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    We should all be very thankful. I'm increasingly of the mindset that main line steam will end soon...however soon that may be depends on various factors

    The worst of course is the coal. A friend was confidently remarking that all steamers could be converted to burn various eco friendly oils...but I don't think that's the same
     
  8. jsm8b

    jsm8b Part of the furniture

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    And to put that in context, this week alone the number of steam hauled trains on the network will likely be more than in the whole of some years before the early 80s.
     
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  9. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    A comparatively small marketplace in the big scheme of things, however an incredibly toxic and unpleasant one.
     
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  10. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    Coal will be a problem, not so much availability but distribution but that’s for another thread. A bigger issue is motive power. We have Bahamas because of an overhaul partly funded by lottery money which won’t happen again and MNLPS had to turn to its members for financial help for its last overhaul and that’s with all the Belmond work. I. Can see the days of the volunteer run preservation society locos running on the main line coming to an end. Thankfully we still have WCRC and The A1 Trust
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2019
  11. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    Yes Scott, makes me yearn for the 80s when I didn’t have to make a choice of which of the four running on a particular day I went for! The CME had two locos and to photographic stops with run pasts (What happened to them?).
     
  12. MikeParkin65

    MikeParkin65 Member Friend

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    I think VT need to do more to advertise their runs to the general public. Several times now I've watched the Evening Diner pass through Worcester Foregate St or the Cotswold leave Shrub Hill and people on the platform have asked a) whats going on and b) where are these things advertised. Strikes me it would simple to put an advert and a QR code on the coaches. Then of course there is cost - I'd love an evening ride on the Diner as a passenger from Worcester but as far as I am aware it doesn't pick up. Likewise I think the Cotswold Explorer has the same potential as the Scarborough Spa had as a regular reasonably priced experience but it needs promoting and it needs more pick up options that allow the experience but with lower fares - maybe for single legs.
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2019
  13. Adam Tandy

    Adam Tandy Member

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    I have just had a look on the Vintage Trains online booking office; the Cotswold Venturer on the 6th of July is still on the site, and the "X in Red Circle" just means the tour has limited availability and you should call the booking office on 0121 708 4960 for more details.
    Hope this helps,
    Adam
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2019
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  14. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    OK so find a suitable point before and after a section that needs assistance, make 2 stops to attach and remove diesel, having previously found a path to get the diesel to and from the aforesaid points. Then find at the second stop you have got to sit there for 45 minutes as you have lost the non stop path. Sometimes I do wonder which world you are in because it doesn't appear that it's this one.
     
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  15. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    Thanks for clarifying that. It opened a dialog box on the PC that didn't open up on the mobile.
     
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  16. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Passing through Bristol Temple Meads on Saturday, the Saphos stock was sat in the centre road, all the tables immaculately made up - the carriages gleaming. Sign written tastefully on each carriage are the words 'Saphos Train Travel', a quick Google search later... No better advertising than that.
    I believe Saphos said in an interview with SR they are able to justify their £65 fares as they spend next to nothing on advertising, word of mouth and repeat business fills their trains.
     
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  17. pete12000

    pete12000 Member

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    No longer listed on the website, maybe it's been cancelled?
     
  18. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    It is cancelled, see post above
     
  19. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    upload_2019-7-1_21-18-5.png
     
  20. Shoddy127

    Shoddy127 Well-Known Member

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    Wasn't that a one off request?

    As far as I'm aware as a member of the MNLPS, the society is self funded and what Clan Line earns, that money go's directly back into the coffers in readiness for its next heavy maintenance period.

    Not sure why you are placing WCRC & the A1 Trust in the same bracket? One is a nation wide TOC which looks after its own assets and operations and the other is an organisation which appears to require a considerable amount of monthly donations to keep going from its covenantors.
     
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