Steam Dreams Tours 2012

I tell you what is at a premium; my hard-earned cash. I was intending to try out Steam Dreams at some point later this year as I have yet to use them. Whilst I realise that there is a need to cover costs in an uncertain economic climate, this looks as though they are trying to milk it for all its worth; I wasn't too keen on paying their 'Carbon Neutral' tax (for that is what it is, and even with the 2.5% online booking discount, I'd only save £1.48 in real terms on a £99 trip), but was willing to overlook this to try them out. However, for my purposes, and I'm sure this would be the same for many who use 'Scum Class (R) (TM)' (with apologies to Top Gear), the £15-16 combined Carbon Neutral charge and proposed price hike per trip makes the difference between having a meal and a few pints at the destination or taking a packed lunch and bottled beers to save money. That means that I would be unable to contribute to the local economy (admittedly in a small way, but every little helps) at the destination, which to me is all part of the enjoyment of a day out behind steam, and one of the reasons why people like to see steam arriving in their areas. I hope they change their minds and re-introduce 'Scum Class (R) (TM)' (with apologies to Top Gear), otherwise they can certainly rule out my custom. I don't want to labour the point, but they need to remember that they are Steam Dreams, not VSOE.

 

RCT and Vintage will be rubbing there hand's

 

Some good points 6:05. I don't think it will just be enthusiasts they deter. When "non-enthusiast" family and friends have enquired about travelling on a ML steam trip they have already made unfavourable comments about the prices for the cheapest seats so these new prices will definitely put them off. I had managed to get some friends at work interested in coming on some trips to Weymouth. Last year they compared prices between SD and RTC. Lets just say RTC "won" very easily.

 

RTC are currently very good value, I mean £69 for the Winter CME from Euston is a bargain for 13 hours of Steam and heritage Electric haulage.

 

SD did have super standard which was the standard class coach immediately behind the support coach. Was going to avail myself of that when I next book an Sd tour. Seems that idea hasn't long to live now.

 

A couple sat opposite me on one of the SSEs were moaning about the £35 fare from Wakefield. God knows what they would think of £99! I can't understand why they've changed the prices once they've already been advertised at a much lower fare. Will people who have already booked be asked for fork out an extra £20?

Unless they have a change of heart I very much doubt I, or most other people I know, will be travelling with Steam Dreams again. With Vintage Trains being based 2 hours away, and RTC's trips being hit and miss with regard to times, locos, routes and dates, I think I'll stick to photting them.

 

Steam Dreams could have raised the price even higher than what they have.

 

What I don't know is the financial pressures on all these companies, not just Steam Dreams.

It may be that a move to a pricing policy more in line with costs etc is inevitable at some stage for all.

So I'd rather hold back on any adverse comment until I see what transpires with other companies in the nearish future.

And after last years July 9th anniversary trip, and the prospect of a Merchant Navy trip this coming July9th with something along the same lines, then SD will remain my heroes regardless!

 

Makes these look great value

Shepherd Neame Shop - Steam Trains

 

RTC are offering good value on the Euston tours, am hoping to do one. There normal standard appears to be about £85.

According to their brochure SD are offering some trips in the new Premium Standard from £49 rising to £89-99 for the longer distance tours. As they include tea and coffee perhaps value depends on how much you can drink!

I also notice that the Bath Spa Express only offers First Class at £145, no standard at all. That's £25 more than RTc or SD and no champagne either.

So it seems that everything is getting higher and at least SD haven't got rid of standard entirely.

As always 'ya pays ya money and makes ya choice.'

 

At the end of 2010 the stewards were discussing a proposed new formation of coaches which included 2 kitchen cars ( I cannot remember exact formation but i think it was Dining between the kitchen cars and Standard/1st at either end). Since all classes will have waiter/waitress service from May onwards a buffet will not been required. I wonder if a new formation is being Introduced? The last Steams Dreams trip I was on had 6 dining 2 first, 3 standard, Kitchen Car plus support. There seems to be a greater demand for dining and 6 coaches must be the limit for 1 kitchen car.

Since Steam Dreams seems to have reduced the number of trips at weekends the majority of my trips this year will be with RTC, for the first time.

 

Not quite sure of the reasoning behind this but I suspected it wouldn't be popular. Actually last year I did 5 trips all in "Super Standard". I thought it was just about worth the extra £10 to be close to the loco in one direction (or for the whole trip on the circular tour I did). The "free" tea and coffee was nice although the waiters/waitresses seemed to disappear once they got busy serving lunch/dinner in the dining section. This year I noticed first the "Super Standard" fares were more than £10 above the standard price and now they are effectively forcing everyone into "Super Standard". Doesn't seem right somehow......

 

Interesting that mid July sees an 01.10 trip that includes Osnabruck-Hamburg and return! I may make that my return trip to Germany after the years of being unable to face going back to Germany without my wonderful late wife around. It will be interesting to see if it is still possible, as it always used to be, to buy a basic fare ticket, (on the train if you got on without one), and then go and stand by an open window all day in the coach right behind the loco. In both directions.

 

Is that the one on 15/7 with 01 1066 and 01 1100?

 

I travelled with Steam Dreams a couple of times last year but I can't see myself doing that again. Being a student (and all that goes with it) I managed to just about afford their trips with some money saved up. Now however, I think I too will have to stick to photting them as I simply cannot afford £99. I'll continue to travel on RTC's trains (I'm on the 11th of Feb) as £70-£80 is reasonable but I have pretty much been priced out of Steam Dreams...

 

In response to the claims that Steam Dreams are abandoning the enthusiast, I have been asked to pass on the following information...

In the next few days, Steam Dreams will be writing to any Standard Class passengers who have travelled on a number of their tours, offering the chance to join a "members club" which will allow them to travel in the new Premium Standard at lower fares.

Before anyone suggests that this is a direct response to the reactions on this forum, I understand that this "members club" has been planned for some time and Steam Dreams regrets that the e-mail newsletter went out before they had contacted potential "members".

 

didnt past time rail have a members club, back in the day

 

This was covered in Steam Railway who were desperately trying to put a positive spin on it, but the reaction i've read here is very much what was in my thoughts. I hope that the fact that RTC have sold out the Winter CME's and have had to add a 5th train will show that value for money is very much the watch word for 2012. RTC to me have offered the best value for money of all the promoters and will be getting most of my business as a result. Regrettably, while an infrequent customer due to my location, I think I may have travelled on my last Steam Dreams trip and I think a fair few of their regulars will feel betrayed by this.