Vintage Trains 2026

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!

 

Deleted

 

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.

 

Not sure why you thought that, it quite clearly states the mid week trips are diesel one way with steam the other. Its why I forked out the extra £30 for a Shakespeare trip as that should be steam throughout, extra mileage and hopefully diesel free.

Edit: this must've been in the email I received as no mention of diesel one way on the website.. however Michael Whitehouse states at start of the thread only the Shakespeare's are unassisted.

 

I don't recall reading anywhere that the short trips were diesel one way until the responses to Platform3's question.
No big deal, it wouldn't have stopped me booking anyway,still decent value these days for under £50.
I just assumed that Hatton triangle would be the destination as it would obviate the need to run round and enable forward facing running, and scope for photos, if basic watering and servicing could be provided in Brum, as it is at Stratford with the regular Shakespeares.
But Martin is obviously right : no practicable reversal of the train at the north end in the time available!
So presumably topped and tailed with steam and diesel, as stated in Railway Herald.

 

Yes, little bit naughty really as it is clear with the Polar Express. Its only us enthusiasts with a bit of knowledge that can deduce that the operating procedures are likely to be the same - had I been booking off the info given on the website I (like you) would have thought steam hauled throughout.

 

Thanks for that extra info.

Incidentally, does anyone know why the steam loco usually runs round at Snow Hill on the regular Shakespeares? Not obvious to me why a train with a tender leading and diesel behind it is preferred to one with the steam loco at the back? T&T is common enough on other parts of the national network.

 

It doesn't usually have a diesel

 

Don't think ive ever known Shakespeares to have a diesel (aside from high fire risk).

 

The Shakespeares that start further afield e.g. Derby and Worcester has a diesel.

 

What happens with the afternoon legs of the Derby, Worcester and Leicester ones? Does the diesel get left at Stratford for the run to B'ham and back?