Vintage Trains 2025

Still no times on RTT yet for this Wednesday’s Trip to York

 

The delays in getting these confirmed timings is a bit frustrating.

Despite the higher price, I was considering the trip to York on the 10th as, if the confirmed timings match the provisional times, I can do it in a day from home without needing a hotel booking, even allowing a bit of a buffer for delays.

However, I'm not prepared to make the booking until such time as I know it'll definitely be possible. If the departure or arrival ends up shifting by more than half an hour or so, the connections would be too tight for comfort and, at least officially, I wouldn't be entitled to a refund from VT in these circumstances.

 

I've just received an e-mail from VT for Wednesday's tour with the following times...

Birmingham New Street at 08:56 and returning at 21:03
Coleshill Parkway at 09:16 and returning at 20:43
Tamworth at 09:39 and returning at 20:14
Burton-on-Trent at 09:57 and returning at 19:34
Derby at 10:16 and returning at 19:15
Arrive York at 14:09 and departing at 16:15

I suspect the full times will appear on RTT later.

 

4 hours Derby to York?

 

Times are live on Railcam - will be on RTT shortly in that case.

York arrival time is 12:26.

 

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U71998/2025-12-03/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U72003/2025-12-03/detailed

Et voila.

 

Just had an email saying that "Tornado" will not be on the return working tomorrow due to "last minute unavailability of Vintage Trains crew"

 

Wonder how many people booked purely for the double headed return?

 

Going well through Sherburn-in-Elmet this lunchtime.

 

Heard rumours it will be a Castle next week as well, DBS unable to provide foootplate crew, not sure of the truth behind this, just platform end gossip

 

5043 races through Stenson in full dull. Thirty minutes later it lifted !

 

I heard there was issues with this run nearly two weeks ago. I assume we're talking about the lack of DBS crew to facilitate the LE move. I'd imagine the excursion itself would be a VT crew.

 

Racing through Milford in full gloom but sounding superb 5043 makes the journey worthwhile.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/

 

With a re-start from signals and a last minute Platform change I rushed across to another platform to risk a bit of initial -into the Sun- footage on a mobile phone. At least the sound was OK at Church Fenton today.

The Vintage Trains Christmas White Rose 03.12.2025

 

Vintage Trains have not had much success with their engagement with the A1 Steam Trust. Last year there was the Ribblehead Rambler farce, and now it seems Tornado might not be operating the 10th December trip, although I hope for the sake of all concerned that the issues can be resolved in time for it to go ahead as planned.

Nick M.

 

5043 races past Milford in what the weather forecasters said was full sun.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/182835155@N03/54961933049/in/dateposted-public/

5043 at Belper this morning, had aimed for the tunnel but decided against when I saw the weather wasn't matching the forecast!

 

Well the weather was ideal when it arrived in York

Peter

 

Making some wonderful noise on the approach into Conisbrough station 5043 with the returning VT York-Birmingham NS 'The Christmas White Rose'.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10257146@N05/

 

My pic of the castle 5043 Earl of mount Edgcumbe at platform 5 in York after I travelled from Birmingham new st and return to Tamworth on the V.T. White rose tour and a grand run up the old midland mainline and S&K line to York via Church Fenton.