2024 Intercity Charters

[Iskra]

Twelve hours from start to finish is rather sociable I would say, the Saphos train I did recently was 18.5 hours from departure to return!

Many people who have to travel a distance will probably consider booking a hotel at Crewe before or after the tour (or both) but of course this can add a substantial amount to the overall cost of doing the tour.

I appreciate it's not the lengthiest tour, but that day would likely be something like 0430 to 0115 the next day for me by the time driving is included, which most people would consider extreme. That's something I'll only do when it's something I really want to do. I did the spin and win tour last weekend and I'm doing the Heart of Wales one, so I'm doing my bit to support LSL. Can't do them all can you! I'm generally not prepared to pay for hotels, as well as petrol anymore.

 

[MiNi]

Can't see many Peak men wanting to do the 47.!!

 

[Watershed]

I appreciate it's not the lengthiest tour, but that day would likely be something like 0430 to 0115 the next day for me by the time driving is included, which most people would consider extreme. That's something I'll only do when it's something I really want to do. I did the spin and win tour last weekend and I'm doing the Heart of Wales one, so I'm doing my bit to support LSL. Can't do them all can you! I'm generally not prepared to pay for hotels, as well as petrol anymore.

Crewe hotels really aren't that bad in terms of pricing, but I recognise it's a cost to add on top of the ticket for the tour, and the cost of travelling to the boarding point.

 

[Iskra]

Crewe hotels really aren't that bad in terms of pricing, but I recognise it's a cost to add on top of the ticket for the tour, and the cost of travelling to the boarding point.

Yes, and the station parking is reasonable too. It's just not quite the itinerary to get me over the 'must book this' threshold this one. Fair play to those that do, and I hope they have a great tour.

 

[alistairlees]

Yes, and the station parking is reasonable too. It's just not quite the itinerary to get me over the 'must book this' threshold this one. Fair play to those that do, and I hope they have a great tour.

Why not drive to Huddersfield and get a TPE to Liverpool, and start from there? There's no point doing the Crewe - Liverpool leg, really.

 

[Kite159]

Crewe hotels really aren't that bad in terms of pricing, but I recognise it's a cost to add on top of the ticket for the tour, and the cost of travelling to the boarding point.

Crewe can be hit & miss when it comes to hotels, although it is a place where you can get cheaper accommodation staying on the edges and driving to the station.

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As for the tour itself, looks to be a good trip for anybody wanting haulage by a Peak (even if audio is more limited due to having AC coaches*).

[*I presume it will be using the same Mk3 set they used last Saturday]

 

[31160]

Why not drive to Huddersfield and get a TPE to Liverpool, and start from there? There's no point doing the Crewe - Liverpool leg, really.

Yep thats a good shout,because its a Friday tour not a Saturday one getting to it should be easy enough, I for one wouldn't like to guess at the next peak down the Durham coast will be

 

[Spaceship323]

Realtime Trains | 1Z39 1749 Cardiff Central to Crewe | 07/09/2024

Real-time train running information for 1Z39 1749 departure from Cardiff Central to Crewe on 07/09/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Thought it was planned to turn on the Maindee triangle? the timings suggest not

 

[Rail Quest]

Sugar Loaf push pull tour seemed like a great success in the end. I really enjoyed it - great atmosphere and route.

 

[Iskra]

I fully agree, I enjoyed it too. Nice to see plenty out to see it, and also a younger contingent on board. I’m interested to see what comes next from Intercity.

A compilation of some of my footage from the day:

 

[12LDA28C]

I fully agree, I enjoyed it too. Nice to see plenty out to see it, and also a younger contingent on board. I’m interested to see what comes next from Intercity.

The next tour promoted by Intercity is the Central Scotland tour on 5/6 October with the DBSO set using 47712 fresh off C-exam. It'll feature some rare track for a 47, not least the Leven branch.

 

[Iskra]

The next tour promoted by Intercity is the Central Scotland tour on 5/6 October with the DBSO set using 47712 fresh off C-exam. It'll feature some rare track for a 47, not least the Leven branch.

I was meaning the next new tour to be announced

 

[12LDA28C]

I was meaning the next new tour to be announced

The 'Statesman' 2025 tour programme is due to be announced on 1st October - maybe the other LSL brands will follow suit?

 

[MiNi]

The 'Statesman' 2025 tour programme is due to be announced on 1st October - maybe the other LSL brands will follow suit?

Indeed it is. I wonder if there will be anything new for 2025's Statesman tours or just the norm. As long as the Ronnie stays mostly on the saphos outings. Is 853 under going it power unit transplant still. What is the prognosis of 828 ATM.

 

[12LDA28C]

Indeed it is. I wonder if there will be anything new for 2025's Statesman tours or just the norm. As long as the Ronnie stays mostly on the saphos outings. Is 853 under going it power unit transplant still. What is the prognosis of 828 ATM.

853 is still under repair and I doubt it will reappear this year. It is having some other cosmetic modifications carried out at the same time and may well look different when it's released to traffic. 828 is currently not in service, last I heard it had a radiator leak.

 

[Iskra]

The 'Statesman' 2025 tour programme is due to be announced on 1st October - maybe the other LSL brands will follow suit?

In previous years the Intercity tours have been released after all the other brands, although they still do give plentiful notice which is to their credit.

 

[31160]

853 is still under repair and I doubt it will reappear this year. It is having some other cosmetic modifications carried out at the same time and may well look different when it's released to traffic. 828 is currently not in service, last I heard it had a radiator leak.

Would cosmetic modifications be something headcode panel based i wonder

 

[MiNi]

Would cosmetic modifications be something headcode panel based i wonder

probably come out in large logo

 

[The_Train]

In previous years the Intercity tours have been released after all the other brands, although they still do give plentiful notice which is to their credit.

I believe the Intercity brand will only release tours on an ad-hoc basis after criticism following cancelled tours in recent years so I wouldn't expect a full programme to be advertised at once!

As for the tour on Saturday, quite simply another superb tour by LSL & their Intercity arm! Fantastic routing, great service on board and a pair of 37s - not much else to say

 

[XCTurbostar]

Anyone know which rail tour this is? I can’t find it on any of the usual websites?

Realtime Trains | 1Z70 0912 London Paddington to Llandudno | 15/09/2024

Real-time train running information for 1Z70 0912 departure from London Paddington to Llandudno on 15/09/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Rail Quest]

Anyone know which rail tour this is? I can’t find it on any of the usual websites?

Realtime Trains | 1Z70 0912 London Paddington to Llandudno | 15/09/2024

Real-time train running information for 1Z70 0912 departure from London Paddington to Llandudno on 15/09/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Looks like its the Steam Dreams "The Welsh Dragon: Day 1" according to Railway Herald:

 

[nineteenninety]

Anyone know which rail tour this is? I can’t find it on any of the usual websites?

Realtime Trains | 1Z70 0912 London Paddington to Llandudno | 15/09/2024

Real-time train running information for 1Z70 0912 departure from London Paddington to Llandudno on 15/09/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

It's the 'Welsh Dragon'.

 

[gazthomas]

Anyone know which rail tour this is? I can’t find it on any of the usual websites?

Realtime Trains | 1Z70 0912 London Paddington to Llandudno | 15/09/2024

Real-time train running information for 1Z70 0912 departure from London Paddington to Llandudno on 15/09/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Private Charter, I'm guessing for Mr Hosking and guests

 

[12LDA28C]

Anyone know which rail tour this is? I can’t find it on any of the usual websites?

Realtime Trains | 1Z70 0912 London Paddington to Llandudno | 15/09/2024

Real-time train running information for 1Z70 0912 departure from London Paddington to Llandudno on 15/09/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

I believe it's a Steam Dreams multi-day tour 'The Welsh Dragon'.

 

[XCTurbostar]

Many thanks all!

 

[Mainliner]

As for the tour on Saturday, quite simply another superb tour by LSL & their Intercity arm! Fantastic routing, great service on board and a pair of 37s - not much else to say

I enjoyed it too, but some descriptive commentary on the history/interesting features of the Heart of Wales line (either by way of short announcements when arriving at points of interest, or by a more informative sheet than the one-between-two sheet simply listing timings) would have added to the enjoyment, particularly for those travelling on the line for the first time.

 

[Iskra]

I enjoyed it too, but some descriptive commentary on the history/interesting features of the Heart of Wales line (either by way of short announcements when arriving at points of interest, or by a more informative sheet than the one-between-two sheet simply listing timings) would have added to the enjoyment, particularly for those travelling on the line for the first time.

The absence of such frills is what keeps the prices very reasonable, they aren't generally part of the package on an Intercity Tour. There's always the option to do your own research, or ask more knowledgeable people around you or the stewards/tour manager, who seemed very happy to chat with people.

 

[Rail Quest]

I enjoyed it too, but some descriptive commentary on the history/interesting features of the Heart of Wales line (either by way of short announcements when arriving at points of interest, or by a more informative sheet than the one-between-two sheet simply listing timings) would have added to the enjoyment, particularly for those travelling on the line for the first time.

Tbh, in our coach at least, I don't think many people actually cared we were on the HoW. When we were passing Sugar Loaf, most people around where I was (Coach B) just kept chatting and didn't bat an eyelid out the train - I think most were just there for the 37s

 

[The_Train]

The absence of such frills is what keeps the prices very reasonable, they aren't generally part of the package on an Intercity Tour. There's always the option to do your own research, or ask more knowledgeable people around you or the stewards/tour manager, who seemed very happy to chat with people.

I think this is it. The Intercity package is very competitively priced compared to other enthusiast charters and their service is more about the face to face service rather than added extras. The only time I've ever known the train manager to offer some info about a location is on UK Railtour outings, can't even say I've ever heard it on a BLS tour, and you can't often hear what is being said anyway as people just continue having their own conversations

 

[31160]

I'm hearing there might be a new peak/40 tour being announced soon