Steam Dreams 2023

Yes, so true. That was, in retrospect, a luxury.

 

You say the change of locomotive had been known for some time. Did you not consider making contact to alert them to this fact?

 

Can I offer our apologies for the inaccurate locomotive allocation that @Deepgreen mentioned above. Unfortunately, most (but not all) of the railtour operators are less than proactive in notifying us of locomotive or itinerary changes, and therefore we depend on 'informed sources' supplying information.

On this occasion, neither Steam Dreams, nor any magazine reader or website visitor, contacted us to advise of the change in motive power for this tour. We would encourage people to be proactive in telling us of any changes that they are aware of, because once information is received, we will then double-check with the TOC or train promoter and if confirmed, we can update the listings. Our aim is to provide accurate and up-to-date information, but sometimes, that is not the easiest aim to achieve, so any help and assistance is therefore gratefully appreciated.

 

Not the easiest of days filming, but nonetheless my take on the Santa's today:

 

Was going to mention that one. Was the best one in my opinion!

 

With respect, I wouldn't expect a railtour promoter/operator to notify a third party website of changes to traction. It's only the paying customers they would need to notify. Even that is debatable. In the case of the SD Santa trips, people would have booked on it to go on a steam train. As long as there was still a steam locomotive at the front then, arguably, they didn't need to tell anyone about the change.

 

A compilation of the 2023 Santa Steam Expresses around London with 34046 Braunton and 45231 Sherwood Forester

 

In the case of SteamDreams all traction changes are highlighted on their website allocations. Sudden changes may cause them to be out of date but they always seem very reliable

 

Well, it had been widely promulgated here and on other sites for months, so, no. However, I will in future if it would be helpful.

 

Neither would I but the fact that 61306 was out of action had been known for a very long time - so 'TBA' would have been fine. RH is not really about 'ordinary' passengers but those with a more detailed/enthusiast interest. Anyway, in the interests of balance RH does a good job in bringing recent news to us.