Saphos Trains 2026

Do you really think Railtour organisers are going to rely on people who suggest they’re “prepared to book at the last minute” in their decision as to whether a Railtour is viable? Wake up…

 

I think that if Saphos offers a few more trains like this (or 71000's recent unassisted run to Carlisle), last-minute bookings aren't going to be an issue. Sadly I live rather too far south to contemplate one of these trips, but I'm just hoping that someone will point out to the powers-that-be in LSL/Saphos that 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of 60532's somewhat less-than-successful encounter with Honiton Bank. I for one would not wait to the last minute to book a seat on an unassisted run over the L&SWR West of England line behind this loco.

 

It would be a real help if the Tour operators, charter TOCs and Network Rail could get their act together on providing confirmed timings for a tour months/weeks instead of days in advance. Sometimes it's been as little as one day before, in the case of the recent VT trips).

It doesn't encourage people to book early if you don't know if a tour is going to be doable in a day from home, or is going to need extra spending on hotels before/after, (especially if you rely on public transport or a long drive to reach a pickup location).
At least officially, there's no recourse for passengers if the actual timings turn out to be wildly difficult to what was originally proposed, so it's no wonder some of us have to leave booking until the last minute.

I have, however, booked the Blue Peter run in Feb, along with accommodation.
Offer an attractive option at a reasonable price and people will make the effort!

 

This is not the case (on the two the "Shap Trials II" tours), £165 for a solo seat on a table for two.

 

I think the statement could be super caution, the plan is no diesel. I think the "requested" maybe because even in March/April 2025 we were looking at fire risk issues. The entire concept of these tours is built on the success of the 71000 tour so no diesel in the plan.

 

Which tours are those? They're not on the VT website.

 

Saphos, not VT.

 

Booked on for the Blue Peter trip. Noted that standard is already sold out, which I suppose is unsurprising if it is only one coach and given the interest in the trip. Looking forward to my first trip behind the A2, and with Saphos.

 

So for all of us who support 60007, still no mainline run based out of the North East, as promised when it went to Crewe.
Realise ECML north of Newcastle is now almost impossible, might be time to move my monthly DD to another LNER pacific, if it runs out from home base....

 

https://www.sirnigelgresley.org.uk/mob-news.shtml

60007 Summer Schedule now online for those interested. Looks like it’s got another healthy season which is great to see.

 

Treated myself to 1st class single seat on both plus hotel in Crewe for after each trip, i got snookered with the DoG trip as my train from Crewe to Manchester Piccadilly was late and missed my connection to Huddersfield didn't get home till nearly mid night

 

SNG's Members Area states the 11th March will be unassisted. Taking the November 6th run with the Duke and these 2, Saphos have recreated Mel Chamberlain's Sept/Oct 1995 Shap Trials - over 30 years later and with 2 of the same locomotives; 60007 and 71000. This time we have 60532 as no Duchess is available. I hope both trains are the same as 71000's so we can do direct comparisons as we did in 1995. Kudos to Saphos for recreating the trains in the right way unlike Vintage Trains who 'recreation' of 7029's Farewell to Steam Railtour had a Class 37 on the rear that assisted unnecessarily on the only section we could do, the Billiard Table that is the Paddington-Bristol Temple Meads route.

 

Why is it I get the feeling someone’s still slightly bitter about a post from a certain someone based in the Midlands regarding coal…