Torbay Express 2019

Very true Al. I wonder how many drafts there were. Dated 5th Aug, 8 days after the train ran. Not going to book with TBEL again. Will risk POTD.

 

The summer months are a time when more steam charters run than at any other time. This is good for variety and being able to enjoy the tours in daylight hours. Unfortunately it's also the time of year when the chance of fire risk is at it's greatest. If a tour is booked in the summer months the likelihood of a diesel in the consist must be considered. <BJ>

 

Dead right. We in the MNLPS are not fans of running in the mid-summer months for the reasons you mentioned. We will make an exception where it's a special anniversary (End of Southern Steam in July for instance) or for a long trip where you want to maximise daylight hours (as in the trip to Exeter this coming Saturday). But otherwise we prefer the cooler months of Autumn, early Winter and Springtime. In addition as you rightly say the summer is when there's lots of other competing trains (too many I would say) plus loads of other non-railway attractions all looking to extract the 'leisure pound'.

 

Can't believe how hurt people still are over something out of everyone's control.

 

So they are saying it was Duchess that caused the fire?

Is it the A4 again this Sunday?

 

They certainly do Al.

 

I was told "probably 60009" by TEx on Tuesday.

 

Bad news on Torbay Express Twitter feed - cancellation due to 60009 failure.

Torbay Express

@TorbayExpress
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12m

Sadly the Torbay Express on Sunday (11-08) has been cancelled as No. 60009 failed its fitness to run test this morning

 

No diesel available?

 

That surprised me.

 

Not even gonna run it with a diesel?

poor show there.

 

You cannot be serious. Run it with a diesel? It’s advertised as steam hauled.

 

I'm deadly serious yes. Problem?

 

See my answer and previous posts. It’s advertised to run steam hauled

 

And???

Most people on these tours aren't there for the steam,

Enfusiasts are in the minority now.

Most are there for a day out in Paignton/kingswear with some dining along the way.

Of which that's gone to waste now.

I'm sure there's some diesel cranks who would have jumped at the chance of a trip to Devon behind a diesel loco.

But you are a real ray of sunshine, bet you are a right laugh at parties.....

 

Everyone commenting on Social Media seems to be very understanding and accepting of the situation. I don't see anyone saying it should have run diesel-hauled. Were you booked on the trip yourself? I'm just trying to understand how it impacts on you.

Your description of the typical passengers that travel on the Torbay Express is not representative of my own experience from all the trips on it that I've been on.

 

Totally irrelevant comment though it may be true now but perhaps not back in the day. My point is very firmly that tour operators should provide what they advertise. Steam hauled should be steam hauled and likewise diesel hauled should be diesel hauled.