RTC 2026

https://www.railwaytouring.net/uk-2026d250172f

Programme for 2026 is starting to take shape. Intersting to note on the Whitby job the diesel haulage is prominently advertised.

 

Hopefully RTC will be in a better position next year to undertake these trips. But I'd assume Tangmere coverage on the CME trips (if back by then) and Black Fives on the other trips. Unless WCR by some miracle air brakes another locomotive or makes things up A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, which is unlikely.

Would be neat if Eddystone gets to do some of these trips tho. Not sure if that's gonna be like Clan Line and stick with trips in the south.

 

Tangmere will be back much sooner than 2026….

 

Just looking at these c.£100 additional price (above standard tiicket) for a some tea/coffee a breakfast roll and then a savoury and scone kind of sums up what a nonsense rail tour pricing has become sadly.

 

Or sums up just how much it costs now to run these things and it’s a game of having to make profit on secondaries.

 

Assuming every seat is sold, then £115 x 64 seats is £7360, and £225 x 42 = £9450. That's £2090 for the catering side, which works out about £50 per person. It's not a massive mark up and I don't think RTC could be accused of profiteering with those prices.

The problem is it's £225 to sit in an air conditioned Mk2 in the middle of the set, no chance of hearing the loco, and a good chance of the heating, air con or lighting packing up during the tour! It says something when you can do a steam hauled railtour in Europe less, including a couple of nights in a hotel, flights, and lunch in a nice restaurant.

 

I've personally found RTC pricing reasonable for the current climate. It's the biggest steam railtour company left that still have Standard Class on their trains. Steam Dreams and Saphos got rid of it this year which is understandable but disappointing since First Class is far out of my railtour budget.

 

Isn't Vintage Trains "Tourist" class essentially Standard by a different name?

 

Although not very convenient as an operator if you live down South.

 

Well maybe, but surely people book first class mainly for the extra space, ability to book table for 2 etc. not for the tea/coffee/snacks? Apologies if I'm misunderstanding the point you are making.

 

And they have fresh air stock so you can hear the steam locos rather than being stuck in a MK2 coffin hoping the air con works

 

Well at least despite aircon stock no change in price of standard class first class and premier dining Kelly Osborne R.T.C. David Smith W.C.R. and Ian Riley, Riley & sons engineering L.T.D. are keeping the west coast and R.T.C. tours on track and thats the main thing with hopefully 5 locos 34028 maybe 34067 defiantly 45407 and 44871 definitely and 45212 pending its overhaul.
As long as the tours sell people are not put off by the pricing and faulty air con mk 2 carriages and they make enough profit to reign another annual season of tours as W.C.R. R.T.C. have done some excellent tours in days gone by to name a few like the Tin Bath C.M.E. the Wansbecks the Edinburgh Xmas market and flyers.

 

Perhaps a Mod can move the last 2 posts back in time to the 2025 thread. Oswald - “Here to Help”

 

Thanks Ralph, I was catching up after getting bored on the “naughty step”, I might not always know what day it is but I’m still ok with years - probably

 

In fairness to them they've probably had WCR telling them not to worry as they are still convinced they'll get the MK1's running as normal by end of the year. Which won't happen I'm sure.

At least they'll have Eddystone to lighten the load next year.

 

Ah yes looking forward to another RTC/WCR season of 44871, 45407 and if lucky 34067 as prime steam haulage

Hopefully when 34028 becomes available, it'll perform the bulk of the south based tours at least.

 

Its a fact that some do book First Class to consider extra space, improved furnishings, an option to book table for 2 etc. Morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a Danish pastry then afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by scone with butter and jam, Vegetarian option, and at seat fully licensed bar service.

 

Seeing how so far the large majority of trips for 2026 so far are steam hauled in the north of England, only exception being the York Trip out of King's Cross. Do we reckon there's a chance of 34028 heading up to Carnforth to run trips out of there over the spring?

If there's no work down south for it, brilliant opportunity to run it across S&C it's a staple route for railtours would be great to have 34028 to have a chance to run over it for at least one season.