I’m guessing BLS are trying to avoid yet another ‘cape low bookings’?
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2026 BLS Tours
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It is a good move though, since it goes through traditionally very UKR pick up points
Isle of Mull
Member
I would imagine so
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I wonder if it will boost bookings though
Halwynd
Member
The BLS website is only ever going to attract limited interest enthusiasts.
As an aside, and I'm sorry to say it, but too many enthusiasts are only interested in one class of loco.... and real ale. That is never going to be sustainable in the long term and, as such, I think diesel and electric tours will become increasingly unviable.
So, because the train is clearly not selling well, the BLS have gone to UK Railtours to gain access to their database of customers who are more likely to be normal day out types more suited to this type of train. Problem is, are those passengers going to pay for a fairly early start and late finish just for not much more than two hours in Edinburgh? I don't think this is the start of a more long term association with UKR.
The BLS ought to stick to tours that sit in sidings for half the day, that is what they do well, is what their customers want, and always seem to sell well, and leave everthing else to the likes of the LSL group who do what they do very well and are also of considerably better value.
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As you rightly say the bookings on this aren't at all good, I think I'm right in saying it's not been confirmed it's 100% running yet, so who knows if it will actually run or not, also worth pointing out the BLS and ukr both had a provisional tour going to the same place on the same day, dunno if that's changed now. Also the bls has a 28/11 tour from Peterborough to Scotland now if I was a betting man that might have something new on the front
Halwynd
Member
My guess is it will still run. BLS tours usually carry a 'charity premium' and as a result can look more expensive than other operators, but this tour is running in a very deserving cause in memory of someone close to a Network Rail employee involved in charters, so I think they'll run it whatever.
Iskra
Established Member
How much notice did BLS give of the original tour? Weeks, rather than months as usual? If so, it's hardly a surprising result. It has been pointed out enough times now; that the BLS do not give enough detailed notice of their tours for normal people to be able to attend/book on/finance them.
Three months. I'm not sure notice is the problem here.
Iskra
Established Member
That is a bit better than they usually manage to be fair!
Isle of Mull
Member
The Barrow tour is originally Uk railtours as a diary date, interestingly all diary dates are now off the uk railtours website
Well that's new I'm sure they were there earlier yesterday, don't know if that means they've pulled out of them there were at least three
Isle of Mull
Member
I don’t know if it’s permanent, I’m hoping not as I suspect a 99 could have been featured
Isle of Mull
Member
Toots express running an hour late since Edinburgh, does anyone know why?
Is that even allowed? Genuine question.
Isle of Mull
Member
I don’t see why not, vintage trains is in partnership with Irish company, Tailte tours, so it is quite normal
Which bit. The partnership or gaining access to customer details from another company? Maybe I read it wrong.
If UK Railtours act as a booking agent, using their own customer database, no customer details have been shared.
UK Railtours simply advertised a BLS product, using their own facilities, as if it was their own.
Tony2
Member
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Both 50s led back from Joppa to Waverley so were at the wrong end of the train. Cue lots of shunting shenanigans, a 50 and 57 on the front and the other 50 on the rear!
Isle of Mull
Member
Are both 50s on the front or is that the consist?
62484GlenLyon
Member
Here is a screenshot from Railcam showing the consist as 50049 and 57306 front and 50007 on the rear, as failed. I couldn't copy the link to the page for some reason.
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This was how it passed Musselburgh after leaving Edinburgh.
50049 and 57306 on the front with poorly 50007 on the back.
Those of us waiting were looking forward to a triple header passing us !!
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Even if you could non-supporters at Railcam wouldn't be able to see the information.
Obar123
Member
We then had to pull into Carlton loop for 15mins ish to sort the window wiper out on the front 50.
Isle of Mull
Member
It seems the barrow hill diary date on December 5th has been axed
sn5775
Member
I was on-board the Toots Express. I heard that 50007 had an issue with one of it's turbochargers and despite the best efforts of staff was unable to run back and was shut down at Waverley. I read somewhere that the issue started at Newcastle on the journey up to Edinburgh and couldn't be fixed.
TheLancsNinja
Member
Yeah, CFA confirmed it was a failed turbo, then 50049 suffered blocked injectors as well - WNXX has the turbo failure occurring at Longlands Junction crossing to the Down Main
Now on sale with BLS https://branchline.uk/fixture.php
Isle of Mull
Member
Oh I’ve just seen that very interesting thanks
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I did notice it was on Uk railtours website but it’s not now, did BLS take it?
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