Vintage Trains 2026

Here's my footage of the Earl & the Two Manors in action with The Whistling Ghost tour yesterday. I filmed the Earl at Charfield, Fordgate and Cogload Junction, and the Manors at Churchlands Bridge, Washford and Williton. I hope you enjoy it.

 

From a passenger POV, another excellent tour by Vintage Trains.

With the hot weather, it was never going to be one for the pure steam enthusiast, and we did get shoved around a lot from the back to avoid setting fire to half of Somerset. However, it was partly made up for with a nice noisy unassisted run with the two Manors along the WSR section.

We did manage to keep mostly to time, however, got delayed on the return after an Emergency Call from another train near Droitwich brought us, and everything else in the area, to a halt. Hopefully wasn't anything too serious.
5043 was certainly causing much excitement amongst the late-night revellers at Snow Hill station, always nice to see 'normals' still getting excited about steam.

As usual, a great atmosphere on board with the usual friendly stewards and buffet staff. I ended up spending most of the trip having a nice chat with the couple sat opposite.

I'm looking forward to the Newcastle trip in a couple of weeks, just hoping that 7029 is ready in time. Suggestion from some onboard that it might be a bit 'tight' but I haven't heard anything from VT officially so assume it's all good at the moment.

 

Did next week's tour always show as a Castle to Newcastle, rather than 7029 as advertised for last year's tour?

 

i wonder if this will run, looking at the prices only the York portion seems to be selling well, im booked on it but not had anything saying that it is a change of Castle, i booked for 7029

 

The email they sent out about it yesterday just says it is a Castle. It doesn't state which one. They are marketing the tour as a rare opportunity to see a Castle arriving into Newcastle.

 

5043 apparently next week as 7029 won’t be done in time

 

Yup, just received the email confirming this. I know there's concern about 5043's tyres but still a better option than postponing again.

Plenty of rain forecast over the next week so hopefully no fire risk concerns.

 

Vintage Trains also say they plan to do it again with Clun in 2027, to mark the 60th anniversary of the famous Newcastle Railtour

 

Timings now in RTT for Fri 12th June

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U85858/2026-06-12/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U85861/2026-06-12/detailed

 

Curious change in timing load on the way back:
Starts as trailing load 715 tonnes, 60mph
Changes at Darlington to trailing load 800 tonnes at 75mph
Then changes back at York to 715 tonnes at 60mph

Presume there's no actual change of traction (not long enough to do so) so presume this is a fudge to make the path work.

I'm certainly glad I'm in dining for this one, as finding breakfast before 0630 or dinner at 2258 might be a challenge.
Just hope they come round with the tea & coffee soon after boarding!

 

£62.50 Castle to Liverpool on 13th June in Standard Class. Unbeatable price I suggest. We can achieve this by adding more TSOs than we usually do (up to five instead of two) and listening to the non enthusiast market for days out to an interesting place. You are welcome.
In the current financial climate and charter train positioning within the market, it is clear we need to do some things differently. Watch this space.

7029 is now ready but we won't have guaranteed time to do a trip run before Newcastle. Fixing the hydraulic test with independent insurers took a little longer than planned. So 5043 will run that train. She has NEVER been there before. We are looking at a recreation of 7029's ECML trips 60 years ago in 1976 for next year. The good news is that 7029 is fully fit for 3 years and, even then, there will now be less boiler work to do at the 10 year than expected previously.

5043 is unlikely to run after The Mayflower as we plan to change her wheel tyres. If you can spare some £ to help that it would be appreciated. Once done, she will then be fit for several years.

Priority is to keep two Castles going in tip top condition. Costs are significantly rising, the market for trains is changing significantly. But we are on top of this game.

 

36 minutes in P5 at York on outward journey!!

 

Think positive - you'll be able to take more photos. Enjoy your tour. [BJ]

 

I'd be grateful for that, leg stretch and photo opportunity.

 

I meant this as a good thing for the passengers and people joining at York (me included)

 

The £62.50 price is great.
Unless you've already bought tickets.

 

Or a swift half in the York Tap on P3.

 

I understand that. Please speak with the Train Manager (whom I have briefed) on the train and we will sort you out

In the current market place we need to shift. We have several loyal pax who kindly travel time and time again. They receive direct unadvertised offers as a result. The number of 'nostalgia enthusiasts' are gradually reducing (for all sorts of reasons) and there is more competition out there (sometimes running on the same day as we choose - no comment there). So we must increase our market, especially in standard class where we have many more carriages than we actually need each trip and so we can take more but won't carry fresh air around. So, expect variable pricing, offers, family offers and inclusive destination tours/offers; all these immediately add to the top line as all our trains make a revenue surplus. All this 'extra cash' goes to collection maintenance. You may say we should have done all this years ago, but at least we are doing it now. Just look at the £25 standard price on SE/SP. I would expect standard to get cheaper and have variable pricing, with upgrade offers for restaurant car services, but we will see what the new/wider market will buy