Vintage Trains 2026

We had a similiar situation last year in Exeter with a VT tour and a Saphos tour all within around 10 minutes and, given that one was stopped for water, they actually passed in the station which is very rare.

 

I can recall a number of occasions ten years or so ago when the Royal Duchy and Torbay Express ran on the same Sunday and the Torbay overtook the Royal Duchy at Exeter while it was taking water.

 

So can I, but the Torbay Express in it's classic form of 10 or so chocolate and cream mk1's, a King or Castle up front and no diesel in sight hasn't run for a number of years. The English Riviera Express and Royal Duchy run on different days so it's on really VT that has the chance of passing either of them if they run a tour down this way.

 

Yes I know. I was on the VT tour at the time. It's very rare up on the Snow Hill line to get 2 charters on one day though

 

Is there an update on the loco fleet?

Obv 5043 is available as is 7029 (which comes out this year?).

60163 + 60103 being hired in as rqd.

5080 had an appeal run for a bit but has gone quiet, whilst on the trips last year there was an appeal for 4965 boiler repairs.

There also the Pannier pair, and not forgetting 670 sitting patiently as well plus whatever is happening with 4121.

 

Decided to book one of the Shakespeare trips with 60103 - despite being much more expensive compared to a standard Shakespeare, its much better value than the shorter trips which are diesel one way. Also still significantly cheaper than any other mainline trip with Scotsman, which currently has no other 75mph bookings this year.

 

Clun Castle compilation (2019 - 2025)

 

Fantastic compilation - many thanks.

 

Many thanks, you're welcome.

 

I see the proposed 37-hauled trip up the Cambrian Coast (trailed to Talyllyn society members in the recent magazine) on Friday 17th April is now up for booking. Options are either all the way up to Pwllheli, or a double-headed special on the TR.
Will be the first chance to do the Cambrian Coast in 'fresh air' stock in quite a while, as all the recent Pathfinder jobs were Mk2s.
https://vintagetrains.co.uk/the-cambrian-coast-express-pwllheli/

On the subject of VT - Does anyone have any recent experience of Pullman Dining on VT trips?
My wife and I are planning to do the Newcastle tour as a birthday treat and were debating about upgrading from Standard.

We did a couple of Pullman trips with VT a couple of years ago, but both times felt that the service from the third party catering company frankly wasn't great for the money. It all seemed very disorganised and on one of the trains, they actually forgot to serve us any breakfast, only resolved after much chasing by our steward and when we'd already been on the train for nearly two hours! Even then it was served with a shrug rather than an apology.
At that point, my wife declared 'Standard class only from now on, and we'll spend the money on a nice meal elsewhere'.
Having chatted to some of the VT stewards at the time, it seems that we weren't the only ones who'd had issues.

However, I understand that VT changed catering provider last year, and was wondering if things had improved since then.
We're both keen to support VT, they're about the only railtour operator we use now, but just want to make sure that if we're splashing out >£700 for the two of us, it'll be worth the money!

 

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We did Pullman dining on the double headed Plymouth trip last September. It was a good experience, staff were well-organised and friendly/welcoming. Food was OK, comparable to RTC dining (I have not done Saphos dining so cannot compare with that). Obviously it's a lot of money but the combination of double-heading, no assistance and opening windows will always clinch it for me!

 

Thank you for your comments on our previous Pullman restaurant car service. We changed our caterer 18 months ago and, we think, our offer is much improved. Immediately post Covid it was really tricky to get a good and consistently reliable catering service, but things have now settled down and feedback has been consistently good. You have the choice of two different restaurant car offers on most trips now, including the Cathedrals Express to Newcastle and all Shakespeare Expresses/Pullmans: either a full meal service in Pullman or a lighter offering in First class. Bearing in mind your wife's comments, why not try First class to Newcastle - it's less money, the First Open is comfortable and you will both still have the opportunity to take lunch in Newcastle at a local restaurant if you wish and still enjoy afternoon tea on the way back. With 7029 making a second attempt to be the first Castle ever to arrive in Newcastle (in 1967 it was taken off the train before arrival due to gauging issues), you should be making history as well. We look forward to seeing you

 

Does anyone know the route being taken by the hour long Flying Scotsman excursions over February half term? I can't work out the logistics and the website doesn't give details!

Sent from my SM-S926B using Tapatalk

 

as far as I know out to Dorridge and back

 

Suspect its the same route as the Christmas trips.

 

I fear this will be right. I booked on one thinking the Hatton triangle would provide a reversal of the whole train with Scotsman leading forward both ways and no diesel. I'd love to go on a special like that with a Castle.
Anyway, I'll get my first and last run with an A3. Hopefully without the hassle of one of Scotsman's visits to a preserved railway.