2026 Intercity Charters

[Neilo09]

Anything planned yet for 2026, they usually have a couple of tours at the start of the year.

 

[Sidmouth34010]

Suggestions elsewhere on another forum that the brand is being dropped

 

[Masbroughlad]

Suggestions elsewhere on another forum that the brand is being dropped

Where and what is being said?

 

[Iskra]

Suggestions elsewhere on another forum that the brand is being dropped

Widely considered to be inaccurate and entirely unsubstantiated. That theory doesn’t correspond with ongoing investment in rolling stock, or a Green Signals interview with LSL this year where the chairman’s support for the Intercity brand was mentioned to be unwavering.

I’m sure something will come in time.

Of course the Peak is already announced as being used on a railtour back from the North Nolfolk railway.

 

[bleeder4]

They may be switching to using the Saphos brand to promote these tours instead. Look at the Saphos website. They're advertising a trip with 50050 on 12th Feb and a trip with 55022 on 11th Mar. Previously, trips like that would normally have been Intercity ones.

 

[50039]

Interesting - I quite fancy a one way run to Crewe on either of those… wouldn’t want to wait for the return though!

 

[Obar123]

Of course the Peak is already announced as being used on a railtour back from the North Nolfolk railway.

North Norfolk Railway??

 

[Iskra]

North Norfolk Railway??

Yes, The Peak Blinder railtour in January although the tour starts at Norwich. It’s a UKRailtours tour.

 

[Obar123]

Yes, The Peak Blinder railtour in January although the tour starts at Norwich. It’s a UKRailtours tour.

So not the NNR but Norwich, as I thought.

 

[31160]

They may be switching to using the Saphos brand to promote these tours instead. Look at the Saphos website. They're advertising a trip with 50050 on 12th Feb and a trip with 55022 on 11th Mar. Previously, trips like that would normally have been Intercity ones.

Well I forgot one would gladly pay to have the peak down into Euston, trouble is what if you get yourself to Crewe to have the 55 subbed in, I don't hate deltics but I wouldn't make the same level of effort

 

[Sidmouth34010]

Widely considered to be inaccurate and entirely unsubstantiated. That theory doesn’t correspond with ongoing investment in rolling stock, or a Green Signals interview with LSL this year where the chairman’s support for the Intercity brand was mentioned to be unwavering.

I’m sure something will come in time.

Of course the Peak is already announced as being used on a railtour back from the North Nolfolk railway.

that certainly wasn't the tenet of the thread elsewhere .

my takeaway is that a successful model of steam traction railtours doesn't automatically translate into modern traction tours and tour operators, Inter City and others have yet to find a sweet spot that works .

 

[Iskra]

that certainly wasn't the tenet of the thread elsewhere .

my takeaway is that a successful model of steam traction railtours doesn't automatically translate into modern traction tours and tour operators, Inter City and others have yet to find a sweet spot that works .

I disagree. Someone posted a factually baseless and speculative post, which many posters swallowed before anyone actually questioned the OP. Once a bit of logic was contributed, the thread died out.

Intercity have run many successful tours, that worked. They have found it more challenging making a full year of tours work, but that does not mean they are closing, as was speculated elsewhere.

 

[Bertie the bus]

Intercity have run many successful tours, that worked.

That isn't true. They have run a handful of successful tours over about 4 or 5 years and run a few others that couldn't possibly be described as successful from a revenue perspective. The small number of passengers on the AC electric tours makes you wonder just how many booked on the tours cancelled due to low bookings. Single digits?

 

[Iskra]

That isn't true. They have run a handful of successful tours over about 4 or 5 years and run a few others that couldn't possibly be described as successful from a revenue perspective. The small number of passengers on the AC electric tours makes you wonder just how many booked on the tours cancelled due to low bookings. Single digits?

That’s just your usual negative outlook. Unlike other tour operators, they don’t necessarily need to make revenue.

I definitely remember being on a full Class 87 tour to Glasgow in January midweek, which isn’t exactly a popular time of year for railtours…

 

[Bertie the bus]

That’s just your usual negative outlook. Unlike other tour operators, they don’t necessarily need to make revenue.

I definitely remember being on a full Class 87 tour to Glasgow in January midweek, which isn’t exactly a popular time of year for railtours…

You remember incorrectly because that tour most definitely wasn't full.

Claiming that defining a tour that loses a shed load of money as unsuccessful is a negative outlook is hilarious.

 

[fgwrich]

Widely considered to be inaccurate and entirely unsubstantiated. That theory doesn’t correspond with ongoing investment in rolling stock, or a Green Signals interview with LSL this year where the chairman’s support for the Intercity brand was mentioned to be unwavering.

I’m sure something will come in time.

Of course the Peak is already announced as being used on a railtour back from the North Nolfolk railway.

Without wading too much in on the argument, one thing that has to be noted regarding the Intercity brand is that the Rolling Stock investment you mention seems to be somewhat drying up. The only recent repaints are Mk3 RFM 10212 - a full RFM to finally make up for the reduced catering offer they currently provide due to the use of the ex GA Mini Buffets and Mk2 BFK 17159 which has replaced the Mk2 BSO on hire from Eastern Rail Services and moved over from the Saphos brand. Meanwhile 10411 or 10416 has spent the last 18 months at least stored in Eastleigh, the Mk1 in Blue Grey painted up to provide kitchen meals for the Intercity rake has moved across to Saphos and perhaps more tellingly, 90002 formerly in Intercity has been repainted into LSL LNWR style black. So are we now seeing a reduction in the brand?

 

[Railperf]

That’s just your usual negative outlook. Unlike other tour operators, they don’t necessarily need to make revenue.

I definitely remember being on a full Class 87 tour to Glasgow in January midweek, which isn’t exactly a popular time of year for railtours…

I remember that rail tour being advertised. But being organised in January meant that the daylight hours were so short that a large majority of journey - from London at least and back to London - would be conducted in darkness which didn't really appeal.

Organise the same trip close to the middle of the summer where you can actually enjoy the view out the window on the way up and back, and the tour becomes more appealing.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Dec 2025 ==

Without wading too much in on the argument, one thing that has to be noted regarding the Intercity brand is that the Rolling Stock investment you mention seems to be somewhat drying up. The only recent repaints are Mk3 RFM 10212 - a full RFM to finally make up for the reduced catering offer they currently provide due to the use of the ex GA Mini Buffets and Mk2 BFK 17159 which has replaced the Mk2 BSO on hire from Eastern Rail Services and moved over from the Saphos brand. Meanwhile 10411 or 10416 has spent the last 18 months at least stored in Eastleigh, the Mk1 in Blue Grey painted up to provide kitchen meals for the Intercity rake has moved across to Saphos and perhaps more tellingly, 90002 formerly in Intercity has been repainted into LSL LNWR style black. So are we now seeing a reduction in the brand?

Do LSL actually have rights to use the Intercity brand?

 

[Iskra]

Without wading too much in on the argument, one thing that has to be noted regarding the Intercity brand is that the Rolling Stock investment you mention seems to be somewhat drying up. The only recent repaints are Mk3 RFM 10212 - a full RFM to finally make up for the reduced catering offer they currently provide due to the use of the ex GA Mini Buffets and Mk2 BFK 17159 which has replaced the Mk2 BSO on hire from Eastern Rail Services and moved over from the Saphos brand. Meanwhile 10411 or 10416 has spent the last 18 months at least stored in Eastleigh, the Mk1 in Blue Grey painted up to provide kitchen meals for the Intercity rake has moved across to Saphos and perhaps more tellingly, 90002 formerly in Intercity has been repainted into LSL LNWR style black. So are we now seeing a reduction in the brand?

It’s an interesting question, but beyond the 89, what else do they realistically ‘need?’ And it does make sense for locomotives that support steam tours with blood and custard carriages to be in black.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

142003 had 1 journey under the InterCity brand and has had nothing since.
I hope something shows up using it (ideally with a pick up in Manchester or Wigan).

 

[Iskra]

Signs of life on the Intercity website (tours/positioning moves added)

Intercity | Bargain priced rail journeys in First Class comfort

We are pleased to offer unmissable bargain priced day tours in First Class comfort on our modern high speed air conditioned inter-city train, hauled by celebrity electric locomotives to various destinations for a sightseeing break.

inter-city.co.uk

 

[gazthomas]

Signs of life on the Intercity website (tours/positioning moves added)

With crazy start and end times for the positioning moves!

 

[Rail Quest]

Signs of life on the Intercity website (tours/positioning moves added)

Looks like the tours added to the website redirect to the Saphos website when you click into them to view and book. It's a bit of an odd setup.

With crazy start and end times for the positioning moves!

Gosh, they might be the most insane departure/return times I've seen on a tour! (and to think they're only approximate, so they could be even worse) Has anyone ever had/seen worse?

 

[Iskra]

Looks like the tours added to the website redirect to the Saphos website when you click into them to view and book. It's a bit of an odd setup.


Gosh, they might be the most insane departure/return times I've seen on a tour! (and to think they're only approximate, so they could be even worse) Has anyone ever had/seen worse?

Well, there have been full overnight tours in the past.

It helps keep costs down though, and the price does take the unsociable times into account in my opinion.

 

[Uk02048]

Tbh its cheaper than Avanti peak, inclined to do an early up trip and get an early LM one back the same day just for variety. A bit early though.

 

[raveon]

The positioning move certainly gives you a full day out in London with those timings

 

[Iskra]

The positioning move certainly gives you a full day out in London with those timings

Surely, the hardcore basher is going to do the diesel leg back to Crewe too?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Dec 2025 ==

In fact, I think they would have been more popular if sold that way…

 

[31160]

There's supposed to be some tours dropping soon, dunno if the 89 will feature or not but I assume 55022 will feature a bit, I wouldn't mind a nice Crewe to Ramsgate in the summer running the same route as the old VXC summer Saturday train, but then we still don't know what SRPS has planned yet

 

[Iskra]

There's supposed to be some tours dropping soon, dunno if the 89 will feature or not but I assume 55022 will feature a bit, I wouldn't mind a nice Crewe to Ramsgate in the summer running the same route as the old VXC summer Saturday train, but then we still don't know what SRPS has planned yet

That’s a great idea for a tour!

 

[Isle of Mull]

There's supposed to be some tours dropping soon, dunno if the 89 will feature or not but I assume 55022 will feature a bit, I wouldn't mind a nice Crewe to Ramsgate in the summer running the same route as the old VXC summer Saturday train, but then we still don't know what SRPS has planned yet

SRPS has a diary date for tours to Fort William with 37403 and an LSL 37/4, there is also a tour to Oban marked which I’d hope would be 50050 since they didn’t feature it on any of its planned tours last year.

 

[31160]

SRPS has a diary date for tours to Fort William with 37403 and an LSL 37/4, there is also a tour to Oban marked which I’d hope would be 50050 since they didn’t feature it on any of its planned tours last year.

Yeah but there's already a 50 tour to Oban in June running with BLS not sure the demand is there for two tours