2010 Steam Tours

So much for the confirmation at 09.30 this morning that it was 70013.

 

Thanks J4141 for confirming the trips.

Do you know when these are likely to be published on VT' s website?

 

You will have the "brit" through Stirliing a week before then, on Sunday 11 April, when it heads north from Glasgow to Inverness on the GB III [then via Perth, Dundee & Aberdeen]

 

Of course - and it will be on the road where they stopped to take on water back in the day. Should be able to see it through Dundee on the 11th then travel behind it on the 18th. Something I was never able to do back then.

 

No, but I intend to do at least two behind 'Tangmere' this year. I'd have done Weymouth if it was Basingstoke-Southampton-Weymouth both ways. I'm not too fussed about going to Yeovil Junction to be diesel-hauled down to Weymouth when we could turn left at Battledown. What I would like to do is a Steam Dreams Tour to Exeter from Waterloo. Ok, there's diesel from Exeter St. David's to Yeovil Junction here too, but there's no other option if 34067 is to have a full load of coal to take us to London. I'm also doing the double-header down to Penzance to get some required rail mileage in, so why not do it in style with two Southern locos for the price of one? In that respect, I don't mind the fact that we have a heritage diesel on the way back, either.

 

If they are working on the brocure, I am sure they will have the web-site updated pretty soon.

Their new marketing person (Neil as per Steam Railway) seems pretty on the ball.

 

And she is doing the Stratford Upon Avon run on the 23rd when she will be running in the guise of King Arthur.

 

I just read that in the Steam Dreams email, nice to see

 

Interesting. In the recent past, 777 has had gauging problems in Kent because of her wide cylinders. I wonder what the route will be. UKsteam.info just says "Victoria-Canterbury".

April's going to be busy for the 5305LA, with Sir Lamiel working in the south of England and Ollie in Scotland. How many other volunteer groups would take on trips to Edinburgh (70013 Good Friday) and to Penzance (777 + 34067 Easter Sat) on consecutive days?

 

This is nothing new.Back in the late eighties they had the five at Fort William and the Arthur in London working the Shakespears.Engines worked on consecutive days,London first.Happy days.

 

The Duke of Gloucester chaps managed to use 71000 three days on the trot over the May 2008 Bank Holiday. They probably won't do it again, though.

 

6th Mar The Bath and Bristol

RTC added this to their tours using 34067 Tangmere, trip not yet on uksteaminfo. Also offering reduced fares on 24th Feb Sussex Belle £20 of all classes, notified to me by email.

Dave B

 

Yep, I had that. Shame my car needs a lot of work on it, otherwise I'd do one. Never mind, there's always the Doric Olympian!

 

Dont think this has previously been reported: I received a letter from Steam Dreams yesterday and for the Coronation trip they are offering the tour as separate Kings X – York, and York – Edinburgh tours if anyone wishes to take this up. Also the middle-day Edinburgh – Newcastle – Carlisle – Edinburgh trip is open to non-Coronation passengers.

Also see NELPG website for Blyth Spirit tour.

Sorry to be brief – rather a lot of work commitments this week

 

Vintage Trains tours announced

Just looked at the new tours added to the Vintage Trains web-site. Some interesting tours, including RAH & EoME over the Devon Banks. The Red Dragon on 19th June looks fun, too: 4965 Brum - Didcot, then 70013 Didcot - Swansea. However, it's not clear from the description whether 70013 is hauling the return. I would expect it to, but maybe not?

Just a shame that so many of their tours clash with others already announced:
6th March: Doric Olympian / RTC Bath & Bristol
19th March: Equinox Explorer / RTC Cumbrian Mountain Express
3rd April: The Moonraker / RTC Royal Duchy
1st May: Beltane Express / Pathfinder Royal Duchy
15th May: The Cornishman / Pathfinder Tornado in Kent / Steam Dreams Coronation
29th May: The Britannia Banker / UKRT 35028 Kings X - York / 2 others
19th June: Red Dragon / Statesman Lakelander
By my reckonning, it's only The Bristolian and it's positioning trains that have no competition. I'm not complaining - it's great to have so much choice 42 years after "the end of steam." I just wish I didn't have to choose between Clan Line and Britannia on 29th May!

 

Thats a big issue but Clan Line up Stoke Bank edges it for me

 

.................and me.

 

A Merchant or a Pannier? No contest - and you get a Brit into the bargain as well!

 

Intersted to see 5043 going into Salisbury, that will be something for us southern fans something to hiss at because its so good.

 

Well, it is a museum-piece after all! When was the last time the GWR/BR (W) led the field in motive power development?