Torbay Express May 24th cancelled

just heard from Pathfinder

sadly now cancelled - was to be 70000 via Bath and WSB

just about to book 4 dining seats too
what a shame

 

Any explanation as to why?

 

nope sorry no explanation Spamcan - was done last night. my pals on Britannia engineering & support did not know about it either

 

Well that will be because, quote,

For the operation of our excursions we only use reputable train operating companies, who have a proven record of safety and reliability. These in the main are DB Schenker and Direct Rail Services.

Therefore, customers can book with Pathfinder Tours knowing that their safety and enjoyment is paramount.

 

what are you on about mrKnowwun ?
pathfinder and torbay express do and only use dBs and DrS - what's the point of your post please other than being seemingly rather snitty?

 

That is rather surprising. You'd think they'd be picking up extra bookings just at the moment. Maybe there's extra engineering works somewhere on the route? Pity...

 

The point of the post was to be a rather snotty poke at pathfinder who in themselves were pathetically trite, smug, snide and over self congratulatory.

 

well mrKnowwun the Mods have told all us members here to stop that rhetoric please - my thread was opened up purely to advise the sad cancellation of this nice trip - being first one of the season and was due to run via Bath and Westbury....
(reasons why unknown so far Steamage)

 

Pathfinder's statement was probably ill advised its true, but I don't think your post added any value to the OP frankly, rather took from it in fact. Just an observation,

 

Any engineering work scheduled for that day ?, would be rather ironic if the saviour of the moment TOC have decided they can't resource it that day.

 

Lack of popularity according to their Twitter feed. Link below

https://twitter.com/torbayexpress/status/593360163781894144

 

there you go - you can forget the WCRC conspiracy theories and refrain please from the silly remarks

Torbay Express Ltd
facebook post 11.40

Have very sadly cancelled Torbay Express on 24th May because it has not proved popular. We were trying an extended programme starting in May instead of July, but unfortunately this has not worked out.

So it is now six weeks until the first Torbay Express of 2015!

 

On the face of it one would think the scarcity of mainline steam would have made this trip more popular but I suspect they are suffering the fallout from other recent events hence the statement on Pathfinder website pointing out which TOC they use. People in the catchment for this area will have no doubt seen many references to Wootton Bassett in the local press and many will not be aware that there are different operators in the steam charter market.

 

Torbay Express is a funny market - sometimes the end of july or the august bank holiday run has often been cancelled historically due to low bookings - you would think they would be popular too but nope.
they said they tried for an early season start for 2015 but it didn't work out - I reckon nowt to do with the WB/WCRC debacle.

TE has a loyal following but if you have done it twice already you may want to do it not just yet - shame though as I WAS looking forward to this one to start the summer off!!!

 

Could be some of that, but the via Bath itinerary is an earlier start from Bristol, which may have put some off, while others who like that itinerary have noticed there are others to choose from later in the season. It's also Bank Holiday weekend so could there be a number with family related commitments ? Could be any number of things, but a shame all the same.

 

Am I correct in thinking they were starting 2 weeks earlier than normal this year?

 

about 2 months early tromba

 

I'm keen to do a TE but the early start from Bristol makes it a very early start from Beds.

 

make a long weekend of it spamcan - hotel - see the great britain at the docks - nice meal out?

 

There is an ibis hotel within five mins walk from Temple Meads that does a £50 rate if that's any good to you ?