When will the tour operators put their 2010 programmes on their websites?

[4SRKT]

Spitfire, SRPS, RPSI etc, etc. All still got 2009 tour programmes on their sites. Given that the handful of tours still to run this year have been on their sites for months, I'd expect to see some details of what's planned for the first few months of 2010 on there by now.

 

[theblackwatch]

Spitfire, SRPS, RPSI etc, etc. All still got 2009 tour programmes on their sites. Given that the handful of tours still to run this year have been on their sites for months, I'd expect to see some details of what's planned for the first few months of 2010 on there by now.

SRPS normally announce their programme around February so I think you may have a while to wait. Several promoters have announced tours for the first part of next year - RTC, UK Railtours NENTA and Railtourer are some that I've noticed.

 

[4SRKT]

SRPS normally announce their programme around February so I think you may have a while to wait. Several promoters have announced tours for the first part of next year - RTC, UK Railtours NENTA and Railtourer are some that I've noticed.

This time last year I was already planning to go on Spitfire's Celtic Growler having just had a whale of a time on the Capital Whistler. Spitfire feature heavily in my tour calendar beause of their tendency to start in the North (luckily I like class 37s!), so they seem a bit behind the times this year.

 

[Moodster020]

Dont know why, maybe an operating reason.

The Kettle tours on the other hand always seem to be announced well ahead, even at the end of a year.

 

[37401]

Patherfinder have 2 announced, the re-dated Western rocks tour and a 3 day tour in easter to inverness and the kyle, they have some more in mind but they dont want to announce untill the lines have been dotted and crossed

 

[4SRKT]

OK, I'm getting impatient now. For the first time in ages I've no railtours on the agenda to look forward to, and am having to get unnecessarily excited about the ELR diesel gala.

Hurry up tour operators, and let me plan for next year!

I fancy (1) a lengthy diesel tour from somewhere accessible from the North of England to somewhere high up in Scotland, preferable an orgy of English Electric, and (2) a steam tour in Ireland. Sounds like a case for Spitfire or the SRPS on the one hand, and the good ol' RPSI on the other.

 

[37401]

http://www.railtourinfo.co.uk/diesel_2010.html

railtour info put some info up now, first one looks good class 86 Crewe-Birmingham-London Euston

 

[4SRKT]

http://www.railtourinfo.co.uk/diesel_2010.html

railtour info put some info up now, first one looks good class 86 Crewe-Birmingham-London Euston

Thanks. Forgot to check that recently. Nothing to get too excited about yet, unless you're a fan of skips that is, but good to know that things are starting to get organised.

 

[37401]

Yeah, I hope we get some good 37 tours and workings next year seeing as it`ll be 50 years since D6700 went on the mainline next year

 

[theblackwatch]

Thanks. Forgot to check that recently. Nothing to get too excited about yet, unless you're a fan of skips that is, but good to know that things are starting to get organised.

Things are looking quiet for the first couple of months of the year, I know Pathfinder have a crank tour planned for March 6th tho then later in the month there is the Wizzo to Buxton, postponed from this year. Myself and a lot of friends aren't bothered about tours in Jan/Feb, you never know what the weather will be like and its dark too early. We must be getting old! Also on the plus side, think of the money saved! With few tours in the early part of the year I might even find time to do a Thumper bash to Northern Ireland that I've been wanting to do for ages!

 

[4SRKT]

Things are looking quiet for the first couple of months of the year, I know Pathfinder have a crank tour planned for March 6th tho then later in the month there is the Wizzo to Buxton, postponed from this year. Myself and a lot of friends aren't bothered about tours in Jan/Feb, you never know what the weather will be like and its dark too early. We must be getting old! Also on the plus side, think of the money saved! With few tours in the early part of the year I might even find time to do a Thumper bash to Northern Ireland that I've been wanting to do for ages!

Take my schedule for maximising 80 class thumper bashing.

Take the 07:00 Great Victoria St - Whitehead, and back to Central. Then out to Larne Harbour and back. This is the end of the 80 class morning diagram. Bailing at Yorkgate instead of Central gives you a one minute connection to sprint over the bridge to take a Derry line CAF train to Coleraine. From here you can fit in two return trips on the Portrush branch on a 450 class thumper, before returning to Yorkgate with the CAF set (yawn) . Take the next Whitehead-bound 450 as far as Carrickfergus, then pick up the evening 80 class diagram with the 16:00 Carrickfergus-Central working (it works ECS from York Road to Carrick to start the diagram there). The 80 class does two more out and backs from Central to Larne Town at 16:42 and 18:50, and if you've any energy at all after that, there's still time for a pint or two at the bar at Central, and one more 450 class round trip to Larne Harbour and back. Or alternative, bail off the last 80 class working (19:50 Larne Town - Central) at Whiteabbey, and take a 450 class round trip one hour earlier, which allows you to get back to Central in time for a train (as opposed to a fairly grim walk) to the Youth Hostel (see below).

This means you get to experience the thumpers on both lines they still operate, and you get the whole 80 class diagram thrown in. Stay in the Youth Hostel on Donegall Road, less than 5 minutes' walk from Botanic station. Whole thing can be done on a 3 zone daily I Link ticket for £15.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Balls. The timetable's changing next week, and what I wrote above can't be done anymore (the 1 minute connection's gone minus). Here's a different version that gets most of the 80 class diagram in, still let's you get to Portrush (without the dodgy 1 minute connection to boot), and has the benefit of a non-stop thumper run Belfast > Carrickfergus (the patent 4SRKT guide to maximising enjoyment of a single day in Northern Ireland):

Great Victoria Street dep 06:57; Whitehead arr 07:45 (80 class)
Whitehead dep 07:56; Belfast Central arr 08:35 (80 class)
Belfast Central dep 08:42; Larne Harbour arr 09:41 (80 class)
Larne Harbour dep 09:57; Belfast Central arr 10:58 (80 class)
Belfast Central dep 11:12; Carrickfergus arr 11:39 (450 class)
Carrickfergus dep 12:00; Belfast Central arr 12:27 (450 class - bail at Yorkgate if running late)
Belfast Central dep 12:40; Coleraine arr 13:55 (CAF)
Coleraine dep 14:00; Portrush arr 14:13 (450 class)
Portrush dep 14:25; Coleraine arr 14:38 (450 class)
Coleraine dep 14:55; Portrush arr 15:08 (450 class)
Portrush dep 15:13; Coleraine arr 15:26 (450 class)
Coleraine dep 15:43; Botanic arr 17:05 (CAF - bail at Central if running late)
Botanic dep 17:11; Whitehead arr 17:44 (450 class - non-stop Central > Carrick)
Whitehead dep 18:00; Belfast Central arr 18:40 (80 class)
Belfast Central dep 18:50; Larne Town arr 19:45 (80 class)
Larne Town dep 19:50; Whiteabbey arr 20:30 (80 class)
Whiteabbey dep 20:41; Larne Harbour arr 21:24 (450 class)
Larne Harbour dep 21:30; Belfast Central arr 22:23 (450 class)
Belfast Central dep 22:33; Botanic arr 22:37 (CAF)

This is still an awesome day out IMHO, with 16 thumper moves, 7 of which are in Mk IIb stock, and 1 is an express working. It requires two nights in the Youth Hostel, but that's not that expensive, and well worth it IYAM. You could get much more thumper mileage by not going to Portrush and wasting over two and a half hours valuable bashing time on CAF sets, but I reckon it's worth it to get a bit of thumper route variety, and just to see a bit more of NI.

 

[Drimnagh Road]

Pathfinder have updated their website with three "Provisional" dates for 2010...


Saturday 6th March:- Didcot and stations via Banbury and Coventry to Birmingham for a visit to the Central Wales Line.

Saturday 24th April:- Gloucester and stations via Birmingham and Derby to Chesterfield for a trip to Newcastle (steam locomotive 60163 'Tornado' features).

Saturday 26th June:- Tame Bridge Parkway and stations via Birmingham and Cheltenham to Bristol for Cornwall and Penzance 'Mazey Day' celebrations.


I believe West Coast Railway Company are looking to increase their charges for 2010, so I would imagine users of them are in negotiation about this. Personally I would tell West Coast where to stick it after seeing some of the farces they've been responsible for on more than a few railtours in 2009.

Also, bear in mind that with the recession on, railtour promoters will probaby much more cautious in 2010 and might not take too many risks and run less tours.



4SRKT, don't forget the MRSI tour on May 22nd from Whitehead-Tralee, mega high mileage with quality traction of 111 / 071 class and the excellent mk2 rake. Unfortunately from speaking to some of the ex 071 UK cranks, I wouldn't expect too many of the regular faces on this as they've been bowled out on so many tours in Ireland over the past few years thanks to the inept incompetence by Irish Rail and lack of interest to run charters. Many are now saying why risk going over and getting farced again.

 

[4SRKT]

4SRKT, don't forget the MRSI tour on May 27th from Whitehead-Tralee, mega high mileage with quality traction of 111 / 071 class and the excellent mk2 rake. Unfortunately from speaking to some of the ex 071 UK cranks, I wouldn't expect too many of the regular faces on this as they've been bowled out on so many tours in Ireland over the past few years thanks to the inept incompetence by Irish Rail and lack of interest to run charters. Many are now saying why risk going over and getting farced again.

What happens when the bashers get bowled due to Irish Rail tomfoolery? A 201 class I suppose

 

[Drimnagh Road]

What happens when the bashers get bowled due to Irish Rail tomfoolery? A 201 class I suppose

Without straying too far away,

The mk3 farewell tour back in June was caped with 80 miles still to go due to an engine failure at Thurles, despite spare engines been available to pull tour forward.

April 2008 the Blue Thunderer Railtour in the North was 112 miles prematurely ended at Belfast after the NIR mk2 genny van went bust.

The ITG / Pathfinder tour a month after following a similar route were told that due to the van not been up to scratch part of the tour would be with a thumper as they didn't trust the van.

In 2007, Irish Rail allocated 079, the loco everybody was after onto an ITG railtour at Connolly only to be taken off as the railtour promoter had a hissy fit because they had requested 2x 141s for the tour. Then, UK participants had to leave the tour 107 miles short at Limerick Junction to do a normal train as they had no drivers. This tour was responsible for the year long ban on railtours.


To get back to 2010 UK railtours, the Spitfire website also has these:

26th June: The Celtic Growler,

14th/15th August: To the open day at....

18th December: Anglia Event may contain added 37s.


While it says traction to be confirmed, I think we can take it as gospel that the Celtic Growler and Anglia event will feature 37s. As for the open day, anybody know where there's an open day scheduled for the 14th/15th August?

 

[Chester025]

As for the open day, anybody know where there's an open day scheduled for the 14th/15th August?

Wolverton: http://www.transportevent.co.uk/index.html

 

[4SRKT]

Can anyone name a recent Spitfire tour that didn't feature 37s??!!

 

[theblackwatch]

4SRKT - Thanks for those 'moves', may plan something around that though I will also want to scratch in one or two 201s on the Dublin services.

Drimnagh Road - Is there any further gen available on the May tour yet? Looks quite interesting, could tie it in with my Thumper trip of I don't go to Sweden that month.

 

[Drimnagh Road]

Their website hasn't been updated since they announced the cancellation of the original date just after the viaduct collapse, but in a recent e-mail from a member of the MRSI committee,

On behalf of MRSI, I am pleased to announce that, subject to final confirmation from IE, it is planned to run the Whitehead - Tralee railtour on May 22.

So while more or less definite, hold off on those flights for the time being until we get this "final confirmation" from our friends at IE. I would say this will advertised shortly after Christmas. Will keep you updated.

I would expect an 05:50 departure from Belfast, with an 08:30ish from Dublin, which may be easier to get to in terms of variety of flights, plus meets that overnight ferry connection from Holyhead that so many people have done over the years on their Irish bashes.

Regards

 

[4SRKT]

4SRKT - Thanks for those 'moves', may plan something around that though I will also want to scratch in one or two 201s on the Dublin services.

These are very frustrating trains. 201s make a lot of noise, but the coaches are so soundproof that even sitting in the first seating bay in the first coach, you can't hear a thing. Plus, if you're going to do it on an I Link ticket you can't leave Northern Ireland, and so to get any distance will have to go to Newry. Newry station is a hell of a long way from the town centre, or any form of civilisation for that matter. You could try Portadown, which is a shorter run, and really stretching things to call it 'civilisation', but it does at least have the wonderful McConville's pub on the corner of Mandeville Street and West Street. Highly recommended and only 5 mins from the station.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Their website hasn't been updated since they announced the cancellation of the original date just after the viaduct collapse, but in a recent e-mail from a member of the MRSI committee,

On behalf of MRSI, I am pleased to announce that, subject to final confirmation from IE, it is planned to run the Whitehead - Tralee railtour on May 22.

So while more or less definite, hold off on those flights for the time being until we get this "final confirmation" from our friends at IE. I would say this will advertised shortly after Christmas. Will keep you updated.

I would expect an 05:50 departure from Belfast, with an 08:30ish from Dublin, which may be easier to get to in terms of variety of flights, plus meets that overnight ferry connection from Holyhead that so many people have done over the years on their Irish bashes.

Regards

Sounds good. Will this be 111 class to Dublin, then 071? Sounds like a 5 AM departure from Whitehead, which is for diehards only IYAM! 05:50 from Central is do-able pricewise if the Youth Hostel is used. Wouldn't want to get on at Dublin and miss the leg between there and Belfast.

 

[Drimnagh Road]

Folks,

although not a UK railtour, since it has generated a bit of interest here, the MRSI railtour that was originally meant to run in September before the Malahide Estuary bridge collapse, is confirmed as running on Saturday May 22nd.

Haulage will be an NIR 111 class Whitehead-Belfast-Dublin, with an IE 071 class taking over for the run to Tralee. Stock will be the RPSI's excellent mk2 p/v rake. Mileage is approx 350 miles each way.

I'm told that the website will be updated imminently to reflect this so keep an eye on www.modernrsi.webs.com

 

[4SRKT]

Sounds good. What's accomodation like in Tralee, price wise I mean?

 

[Drimnagh Road]

B&B's in most places in country towns generally cost €30-40, haven't got gen on hostels. Don't forget the tour goes back to Whitehead on the same day...

 

[4SRKT]

B&B's in most places in country towns generally cost €30-40, haven't got gen on hostels. Don't forget the tour goes back to Whitehead on the same day...

Does it? That's OK then as getting a bed in Belfast is no problem for me.

 

[craig87034]

Pathfinder have put a few 2010 tours on their website the prosponed one's reinstated

 

[4SRKT]

There's no gen on the MRSI website Drimnagh Road. Do you know the times it'll be leaving and getting back to Whitehead and Belfast Central? Also, will it stop at Carrick?

I may be able to twist someon'e arm on this one. If we were to fly over on the Friday, we'd get an early flight and spend the day thumper bashing to get the most value out of the whole thing.

 

[33011]

Pathfinder have put a few 2010 tours on their website the prosponed one's reinstated

Well at least 4SRKT can start planning for 2011 then:

 

[Drimnagh Road]

There's no gen on the MRSI website Drimnagh Road. Do you know the times it'll be leaving and getting back to Whitehead and Belfast Central? Also, will it stop at Carrick?

I may be able to twist someon'e arm on this one. If we were to fly over on the Friday, we'd get an early flight and spend the day thumper bashing to get the most value out of the whole thing.

Website updated now, http://www.modernrsi.webs.com/


Also, a Pathfinder tour has been added for Saturday 6th March, down the Heart of Wales line, unfortunately with 66s. So looks like they will not be making much use of DBS 37s.

Compass Tours expect their programme to be confirmed by late January, similarly with SRPS so hopefully a few of their tours will be utilising them.

 

[37401]

all seems to be 67`s, Pathfinder have added another one, Didcot-Birmingham to south wales... with a class 66 (boo!)

 

[theblackwatch]

all seems to be 67`s, Pathfinder have added another one, Didcot-Birmingham to south wales... with a class 66 (boo!)

Bonus - its not a 66, it's got 2 of them on it!

 

[37401]

Bonus - its not a 66, it's got 2 of them on it!

meh, im guessing the other one joins at new street before heading back down south