West Highlander Steam Express (3/9 - Day 1)

Oh thanks for the (bad) news! Shows how up to date i am!

 

Hopefully posting these videos will show just how great this tour was,not the disaster people are making it out to be.

Thanks to all involved for a fantastic weekend out,enjoyed greatly by the majority of customers!

Part 1,Day 2. Garelochead-Arrochar and Tarbet (The climb of Glen Douglas)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juZRCo--Psk

Cheers,
Mark

 

Thanks for sharing mark , brilliant video , stunning scenery . Almost as good as being there .!!!

Regards Robin

 

Thanks Robin!

Here is part 2,part 3 is currently uploading. (Although its going to take around 5 hours!) It will be worth it though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m33VmEm2pM8

Enjoy,
Mark

 

Looked a good run even with the Oban problem.
Excellent video looking forward to the rest.
Shame Network rail hadn't cut the vegetation back

 

Chatted to some people that went on this trip when I was down the MHR on Friday. They said it was very good despite the problems encountered.

 

I understand that some of the moderating team have been confronted by the tour promoter about my review.

The review is my opinion and my responsibility, and I would have hoped that by publishing it here we could have had a civilised discussion about all the component parts of the event; the planning, resourcing, timing, and implementation of the tour - not just the enginemanship, which was of the highest order, and if I may say so, above and beyond the call of duty.

We all want railtouring to continue, and to improve in calibre, but there were various aspects of the weekend which could mitigate against that. I shan't repeat them here - they were set out in my review, a review which, having paid the best part of a grand for tickets, I see no reason not to draft.

If my comments were inaccurate - then shoot me down. If my suggestions would not widen the market appeal then show me why. If my comments as to logistics would not reduce risk then challenge my proposals.

Whatever - if you disagree with me - don't argue with someone else

 

The only disappointing thing was the vegetation on the Oban line. Glimpses of scenery only for 80% of time. Shame, as my first visit.

 

Deleted

 

The moderating team have not censored my remarks, nor do they intend to do so.

Product improvement depends on honest review, if the industry wants to join in.

 

So having given a decent amount of time for those in the tour planning, timing, and specification roles to respond to my review on this tour, all that has occurred is that National Preservation moderators have been challenged covertly by the tour promoter about the presence of my words on the forum; but the company has neither contacted me directly about such concerns, nor challenged my comments in public on the forum, despite being given more than a reasonable opportunity to do so. A mature debate about how to improve the product can only take place if all parties exercise their right to participate in a post mortem. Silence can only imply a rejection of sharing knowledge, or seeking alternatives, suggesting that we will be here again.

I think this makes our place, as customers, in the scheme of things all too clear - pay up and shut up.

Well, I'm sorry but life isn't like that. If a company delivers a sub standard, poorly planned product, that in the event fails to impress, and for which I paid around a grand, then the product will be reviewed as experienced. If the company doesn't like the review - then it must try harder in future if it is to get its hand in my pocket again.

Not one of my friends considered this tour sufficient value for money to join us before the event, yet those same people regularly tour the world in pursuit of their diverse interests and should be the sort of market the company needs to encourage. Having heard what happened they are now even less likely to book on this kind of activity. High prices demand high quality and merchantability. That is all that I am looking to the industry to provide