6024 King Edward 1

Well weren’t you the lucky one. My dad had no interest what so ever.
However, in fairness, ever fortnight he ran me 60 miles up to Haworth on a Friday for the weekend and picked me back up on the Sunday, for two years until I was 17 and passed my driving test.
In truth, I’m sure he was just doing it to get me out of sight for the weekend

 

Do they do dining style operations too or are they all enthusiast orientated trips? I'll confess to not really knowing much about the German railtour market but from the videos I see on youtube, they look like a lot more fun than over here! That's what has stopped me from going on mainline tours, they're just not fun anymore. Not being able to lean out of the window was the clincher for me.

 

Open balconies on our trip - I’d estimate the speed at about 60mph!

 

This is a worthwhile discussion of the factors influencing patronage of the various classes of seats on railtours, but I suggest it should have its own thread and not be in the 6024 one.
My own participation in 2025 was fewer railtours than usual and very few with steam, but all with dining

This is a worthwhile discussion of the factors influencing patronage of the various classes of seats on railtours, but I suggest it should have its own thread and not be in the 6024 one.
My own participation in 2025 was fewer railtours than usual and very few* with steam, but nearly all with dining. (The exception was the Pendolino from Crewe to Litchurch Lane.) A "coffin" with a diesel at the front is acceptable for an interesting route and/or an interesting destination. Steam at the front when I can't hear it has minimal appeal.

Edit: correction - exactly one, with Vintage Trains.

 

Exactly that. I've not been on a rail tour in this country (have done a few in NZ and Australia) but whenever I look at what the market is offering, I reckon I would have zero chance of persuading Mrs J^2 to travel - and she is minded to like trains. Early start from some godforsaken location, late (and generally uncertain) return hardly looks appealing, and that is before you then think you are pretty much required to book a hotel before and after because of the start and finish times.

Give me a journey with a reasonable pick up, 2 or three hours max each way and a few hours for lunch in the middle, getting back at a reasonable hour to allow dinner or travel home. A fourteen hour slog, regardless of traction - no thanks.

As for dining - if I want to pay a premium for the privilege of eating on the move, I'll choose a heritage railway with proper Pullmans not fake ones thank you very much.

As @5944 says, it feels like the product is wrong. Give me a steam loco, clean windows, good scenery and a manageable overall duration with a decent town to stop off at in the middle. That can't be too much to ask for, surely?

Tom

 

Vintage Trains have this, which is the nearest I can find to @Jamessquared 's description. £53 Standard for 2-hrs each way with 4-hours in St. Ratford upon Avon.
Only runs twice this year.

The Derby Shakespeare Express | Vintage Trains

 

Are the windows clean?

If I lived in the area, that's the sort of trip I think I could convince my other half to go on. Surely that model can't be impossible to replicate elsewhere?

Tom

 

Destinations are a problem. Where do you put the train during the layover? Do you need to turn the loco, and if so, is there anywhere local to do it? York and Carlisle are popular as destinations for that reason, but they're on busy routes so getting there takes an age.

 

Still remember a trip along the Wcml from Crewe to Carlisle in 1998/99. We had to stop on Shap due to a shortage of steam on the down leg however the return was special with fast running all the way and the banks climbed in a very fine style.

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What you have described is the Jacobite which, surprise surprise, is probably the most successful and most popular mainline steam run in the country. 84 mile round trip, a few hours each way, steam, great noise for the enthusiast, pretty scenery, and that's before you talk about the Harry Potter connection! Just a bit difficult to replicate elsewhere

 

Last year the Standard Class fare was 69 quids - slightly cheaper than a trip on the Welsh Highland Railway

 

Try the Belmond Pullman! Vintage Pullmans, top class loco working on its old stamping ground and the windows are spotless!

 

I’ve thought of it. But I think at that price it’s a one-off special occasion, not a regular hobby!

Tom

 

Trouble is John as a life-long scruff I cant think of anything more off putting than having to dress up to go on a steam trip. It is even more off putting than travelling in air-con coaches. Give me cheap and cheerful or nothing at all thanks

Peter

 

I knew there was a snag somewhere!

 

It was said a bit tongue in cheek, not that I can afford it but it’s a great experience for a one off special occasion.

 

Ow much?