Vintage Trains Updates

[Iskra]

As the other steam railtour operators have their own thread, I thought I’d create one for Vintage Trains too.

Firstly, a question: does anyone know why Tornado’s move from Tyseley to Darlington was cancelled today?

Secondly, if you haven’t travelled with Vintage Trains yet, I would recommend a trip- they are good value and offer an authentic steam experience with minimal diesel assistance and operate Mk2’s with opening windows and you can choose to be in the coach behind the loco.

Finally, is Tornado planned to be used more frequently next year to cover for Clun Castle’s overhaul?

 

[andyjhatton]

I believe that Clun Castle is intended to be back in service fairly early next year.

 

[Merle Haggard]

A few years ago a friend bought tickets for us to travel on a Vintage Trains rail tour, to celebrate a landmark date. It was to Carlisle, outward via Shap and return via S&C. On the day, the routing was reversed. Coming down Shap behind steam is not quite so exciting as what was promised.
That wasn't the worst news, though. It was a cold, crisp day. Good for steam exhaust, not so good if the coach (Mk 2Z - pressure ventilation) you're allocated to has no heating - left Tyseley in that condition. I suggested to a steward that perhaps the occupants of the freezing coach could be moved to a warm one for the return, to share out the misery, but was openly ridiculed for the suggestion. At no point did the promotors offer any apology or explanation.
Obviously, I don't know how common this is - I only travelled the once - but I noticed that the other passengers mostly wore several layers of thick clothing hats and thick woolly socks. Perhaps we were just not prepared for the expected, wearing clothing suited to travel by trains encountered on the main line network
As they say, you are only given one first impression. Ours was disappointing, but I accept that it's anecdotal.

 

[anothertyke]

Finally, is Tornado planned to be used more frequently next year to cover for Clun Castle’s overhaul?

I believe from another site that Tornado might fulfill a similar role to that which Bahamas played this year. For example my guess is there might be a Shap Mountaineer with no diesel. The VT spring programme can't be far from release.

I have been on three VT trips, the Shap Mountaineers with the Earl and Bahamas and the Shakespeare from Derby with Clun and found them all excellent.

 

[kje7812]

A few years ago a friend bought tickets for us to travel on a Vintage Trains rail tour, to celebrate a landmark date. It was to Carlisle, outward via Shap and return via S&C. On the day, the routing was reversed. Coming down Shap behind steam is not quite so exciting as what was promised.
That wasn't the worst news, though. It was a cold, crisp day. Good for steam exhaust, not so good if the coach (Mk 2Z - pressure ventilation) you're allocated to has no heating - left Tyseley in that condition. I suggested to a steward that perhaps the occupants of the freezing coach could be moved to a warm one for the return, to share out the misery, but was openly ridiculed for the suggestion. At no point did the promotors offer any apology or explanation.
Obviously, I don't know how common this is - I only travelled the once - but I noticed that the other passengers mostly wore several layers of thick clothing hats and thick woolly socks. Perhaps we were just not prepared for the expected, wearing clothing suited to travel by trains encountered on the main line network
As they say, you are only given one first impression. Ours was disappointing, but I accept that it's anecdotal.

Sounds unusual for VT. In my experience they are a lot better than that.

 

[Iskra]

Tornado is booked to move from Tyseley back to Darlington North Road tomorrow

 

[Neen Sollars]

A few years ago a friend bought tickets for us to travel on a Vintage Trains rail tour, to celebrate a landmark date. It was to Carlisle, outward via Shap and return via S&C. On the day, the routing was reversed. Coming down Shap behind steam is not quite so exciting as what was promised.
That wasn't the worst news, though. It was a cold, crisp day. Good for steam exhaust, not so good if the coach (Mk 2Z - pressure ventilation) you're allocated to has no heating - left Tyseley in that condition. I suggested to a steward that perhaps the occupants of the freezing coach could be moved to a warm one for the return, to share out the misery, but was openly ridiculed for the suggestion. At no point did the promotors offer any apology or explanation.
Obviously, I don't know how common this is - I only travelled the once - but I noticed that the other passengers mostly wore several layers of thick clothing hats and thick woolly socks. Perhaps we were just not prepared for the expected, wearing clothing suited to travel by trains encountered on the main line network
As they say, you are only given one first impression. Ours was disappointing, but I accept that it's anecdotal.

We had a poor experience from VT in December 2024 to York. Cold carriage, dirty windows from the outset, cold breakfast and poor main meal on return. Castle class loco was super. Reluctant to pay for premier dining again until I know the VFM is there. Unsure what the 2025 customer experience of first class dining is.

 

[bleeder4]

Not seen it mentioned yet in this thread, but tickets for The Shap Mountaineer next year are now on sale. Steam-hauled by Tornado for the whole journey Birmingham to Carlisle both ways. Out via Shap, return via S&C, with both those sections having no diesel on the back, just Tornado by itself.

 

[Harpo]

Out via Shap, return via S&C, with both those sections having no diesel on the back, just Tornado by itself.

Don’t know if I’m cynical or just cautious? The actual wording is:

the train will be unassisted by diesel locomotive.

The Shap Mountaineer - Birmingham to Carlisle Train | Vintage Trains

Saturday 28th March Destination: Carlisle Departing from: Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay Classes of Travel: Pullman, First Class & Standard (Non-Dining) This…

vintagetrains.co.uk

 

[andyjhatton]

I'm fairly sure they mean there will be no diesel on the northern "loop"
Presumably detached at the Carnforth water stop.

I imagine it will shadow the train on that section in order to facilitate the turn around at Carlisle.
That was the case when I did the trip with Bahamas last year

 

[alastair]

Don’t know if I’m cynical or just cautious? The actual wording is:

The Shap Mountaineer - Birmingham to Carlisle Train | Vintage Trains

Saturday 28th March Destination: Carlisle Departing from: Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay Classes of Travel: Pullman, First Class & Standard (Non-Dining) This…

vintagetrains.co.uk

I can understand your cynicism but I think in this case it's possibly misplaced, on all previous VT trips advertised as unassisted (to Carlisle and Plymouth), that has meant no diesel on the back and the diesel running light a few blocks in front of or behind the train.

 

[31160]

There's two 37 tours on the site for next year using 240 and 418, one to Cardiff and one to Portsmouth

 

[Isle of Mull]

I believe there is also a tour on may 2nd to Llandudno, I find it unusual that it’s only steam hauled for half of the outward journey.

The North Wales Coast Express | Vintage Trains

Saturday 2nd May Destination: Llandudno Departing from: Birmingham New Street, Coleshill Parkway, Nuneaton, Tamworth, Lichfield Trent Valley, Stafford, Crewe Classes of Travel: Pullman, First Class & Standard (Non-Dining) This train will be steam hauled up…

vintagetrains.co.uk

 

[matt]

I believe there is also a tour on may 2nd to Llandudno, I find it unusual that it’s only steam hauled for half of the outward journey.

The North Wales Coast Express | Vintage Trains

Saturday 2nd May Destination: Llandudno Departing from: Birmingham New Street, Coleshill Parkway, Nuneaton, Tamworth, Lichfield Trent Valley, Stafford, Crewe Classes of Travel: Pullman, First Class & Standard (Non-Dining) This train will be steam hauled up…

vintagetrains.co.uk

That is how they usually operate that trip. The whole train will turn on the triangle at Chester so the steam loco faces the right way for the return journey from Llandudno

 

[Isle of Mull]

That is how they usually operate that trip. The whole train will turn on the triangle so the steam loco faces the right way for the return journey from Llandudno

Thank you for clearing that up

 

[Wyrleybart]

I'm fairly sure they mean there will be no diesel on the northern "loop"
Presumably detached at the Carnforth water stop.

I imagine it will shadow the train on that section in order to facilitate the turn around at Carlisle.
That was the case when I did the trip with Bahamas last year

Doesn't the class 47 on the rear normally provide ETH to the stock ? And does it need to provide ETH for the (fairly recently fitted) CDL to work ?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Dec 2025 ==

A few years ago a friend bought tickets for us to travel on a Vintage Trains rail tour, to celebrate a landmark date. It was to Carlisle, outward via Shap and return via S&C. On the day, the routing was reversed. Coming down Shap behind steam is not quite so exciting as what was promised.

A very long time ago, probably the last railtour I went on over there, we were in a 14 car "Hastings formation" called the "Long thin drag". The formation was fuelled at Neville Hill then we went over the S&C to Carlisle where we reversed and came back over Shap. I think they were plated for 90mph and pretty sure the driver was doing it too. That was somewhat exhillarating !!

 

[matt]

Doesn't the class 47 on the rear normally provide ETH to the stock ? And does it need to provide ETH for the (fairly recently fitted) CDL to work ?

Vintage Trains' coaches are dual heat so can be steam heated too. The CDL I presume works off batteries.

 

[Isle of Mull]

Vintage Trains' coaches are dual heat so can be steam heated too. The CDL I presume works off batteries.

Would they be the only operator who have dual heat as I’ve never seen WCR or LSL doing a steam alone tour.

 

[bleeder4]

Would they be the only operator who have dual heat as I’ve never seen WCR or LSL doing a steam alone tour.

WCR and LSL both have generator coaches. The inaugural trips with 71000 Duke of Gloucester were without a diesel and used a generator coach as ETH. I imagine it will be the same for The Cumbrian Mountaineer trips in February and March. That being said, WCR's coaches certainly do have dual heating. I did a trip with Tornado to Blackpool for the Illuminations back in 2018/2019 and there was no diesel. The coaches were steam heated.

 

[Wyrleybart]

Would they be the only operator who have dual heat as I’ve never seen WCR or LSL doing a steam alone tour.

Thanks Matt.

Yes, WCR do have some dual heat stock (Mk1s) but I am not sure LSL have fitted their overhauled Mk1s with steam heating.
Not sure about SRPS. I know many years ago they aspired to running 37025 and 37403 in dual heat formation with hidden ETH cables and jumpers on 37025, and a steam pipe on 37403. Did that plan ever progress, and do SRPS possess any mainline capable dual heat stock ?

 

[gazthomas]

That is how they usually operate that trip. The whole train will turn on the triangle at Chester so the steam loco faces the right way for the return journey from Llandudno

It saves a long trip to turn the loco at Valley triangle too

 

[matt]

Thanks Matt.

Yes, WCR do have some dual heat stock (Mk1s) but I am not sure LSL have fitted their overhauled Mk1s with steam heating.
Not sure about SRPS. I know many years ago they aspired to running 37025 and 37403 in dual heat formation with hidden ETH cables and jumpers on 37025, and a steam pipe on 37403. Did that plan ever progress, and do SRPS possess any mainline capable dual heat stock ?

They used to at least. I've been behind 37025 and a Colas 37 to Wick and Thurso a few years ago where 37025 heated the train.

 

[Iskra]

When Flying Scotsman runs with Vintage Trains in February, it's advertised as the Shakespeare Express, but on Railway Herald website the destination is shown as 'TBA.' Does anyone know how this is being operated? Presumably to Stratford on Avon, but is it out and back or via the triangle route?

 

[matt]

When Flying Scotsman runs with Vintage Trains in February, it's advertised as the Shakespeare Express, but on Railway Herald website the destination is shown as 'TBA.' Does anyone know how this is being operated? Presumably to Stratford on Avon, but is it out and back or via the triangle route?

The Shakespeare Express runs will be Flying Scotsman tender first to Stratford and chimney first back to Birmingham. Could be via Hatton curve or the North Warwickshire line.

The other trips will be diesel to Dorridge loop and Flying Scotman back to Moor Street.

 

[Isle of Mull]

New tour
“ The Golden Hind” a 2 day class 52 railtour to Plymouth , pretty interesting to see, I also notice it’s the first class 52 railtour of the year planned so far.

The Golden Hind | Vintage Trains

Saturday 23rd May Destination: Plymouth Departing from: Birmingham Snow Hill, Widney Manor, Warwick Parkway, Banbury, Oxford, London Paddington Classes of Travel: Pullman, First Class & Standard (Non-Dining) We journey across the Midlands, Great Western Mainline and…

vintagetrains.co.uk

 

[Iskra]

The Shakespeare Express runs will be Flying Scotsman tender first to Stratford and chimney first back to Birmingham. Could be via Hatton curve or the North Warwickshire line.

The other trips will be diesel to Dorridge loop and Flying Scotman back to Moor Street.

Thank you!

 

[father_jack]

New tour
“ The Golden Hind” a 2 day class 52 railtour to Plymouth , pretty interesting to see, I also notice it’s the first class 52 railtour of the year planned so far.

The Golden Hind | Vintage Trains

Saturday 23rd May Destination: Plymouth Departing from: Birmingham Snow Hill, Widney Manor, Warwick Parkway, Banbury, Oxford, London Paddington Classes of Travel: Pullman, First Class & Standard (Non-Dining) We journey across the Midlands, Great Western Mainline and…

vintagetrains.co.uk

Not much bang for your buck though with adding a hotel until they make it clear where the Western hooks on. Seems like 3 days camel ride from Tyseley to Paddington.

 

[Harpo]

Not much bang for your buck though with adding a hotel until they make it clear where the Western hooks on. Seems like 3 days camel ride from Tyseley to Paddington.

The timings and itinerary for D1015s trip suggest the train turns (Hanwell presumably) to get the thousand pointing the right way. That would further suggest a tail gunner to do that bit and maybe more? A duff would be a deal breaker for many.

Like other Vintage trips, marketing for diesel enthusiasts trips needs to come with far more information such as routing (e.g. Portsmouth) and locos (not just a photo).

 

[Forty29]

Come on sounds like a fun trip, yes expensive as you have to find accommodation too. Will be interesting to see if it sells enough seats to run though. 47 or 37 as ' tailgunner' will add interest but the route will be Wizzo most of the way including the Devon banks and Paddington hopefully. The first time into London in BR Blue? Plymouth chosen as easier to service the loco and stock?

 

[Wyrleybart]

The timings and itinerary for D1015s trip suggest the train turns (Hanwell presumably) to get the thousand pointing the right way. That would further suggest a tail gunner to do that bit and maybe more? A duff would be a deal breaker for many.

Like other Vintage trips, marketing for diesel enthusiasts trips needs to come with far more information such as routing (e.g. Portsmouth) and locos (not just a photo).

Is it definitely 47773 ?
They seemed to have used 37240 quite a bit recently even though it doesnt have an orange plug