2026 BLS Tours

[Harpo]

It seems BLS are in some sort of collaboration with Uk railtours as they have a Uk railtours diary date on their website and Uk railtours is selling the Toots Express

I’m guessing BLS are trying to avoid yet another ‘cape low bookings’?

 

[Jim]

I’m guessing BLS are trying to avoid yet another ‘cape low bookings’?

It is a good move though, since it goes through traditionally very UKR pick up points

 

[Isle of Mull]

I’m guessing BLS are trying to avoid yet another ‘cape low bookings’?

I would imagine so

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It is a good move though, since it goes through traditionally very UKR pick up points

I wonder if it will boost bookings though

 

[Halwynd]

It seems BLS are in some sort of collaboration with Uk railtours as they have a Uk railtours diary date on their website and Uk railtours is selling the Toots Express

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.

 

[31160]

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]

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

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]

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.

 

[JonathanH]

How much notice did BLS give of the original tour? Weeks, rather than months as usual?

Three months. I'm not sure notice is the problem here.

 

[Iskra]

Three months. I'm not sure notice is the problem here.

That is a bit better than they usually manage to be fair!

 

[Isle of Mull]

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

The Barrow tour is originally Uk railtours as a diary date, interestingly all diary dates are now off the uk railtours website