My first railtour

[CallySleeperKid]

Well less than a week to go to our first railtour, The West Highland and Jacobite Statesman with Statesman Rail, leaving on Friday the 1st of October, and I just can't wait.

Tickets arrived a few days ago and are sat here in front of me, I have got my cameras charged, my West Highland guide has been read cover to cover several times, although I have done the West Highland Line on the Caledonian Sleeper and the run to Mallaig before, I still can't wait to get going!

This will be the first time in many many years I will have the privilege of being hauled by a class 37 and 47 in what I consider as 'proper' rolling stock!

Has anybody got any tales or memories of their first tour?

 

[37401]

Fellsman Chopper 7/2/09 was my first, with 20303 20304 20309 and 37423, 4 winners on one tour, we had snow a few days before and the veiw was fantastic along the S and C, we were 20 early at some points

its what started off bashing for me, after this tour I just packed in the Spotting thing and turned to doing more tours, galas/diesel running days and just general loco hauled service trains

 

[MidnightFlyer]

A trip to Aviemore from my local Blackburn about 5-6 years back, cannot remember route (except for going via Striling) or haulage. I did another to Dundee, amybe around 2006. I remember one of those being very late from Blackburn (about 45 mins), as well as one to Cardiff, the 37 (I think) failed at Warrington on the way back, so it was buses back to Blackburn. Ah, so many happy memories. These three tours got me literally hooked, and since I must have done about 35-40 railtours, including one overnighter in 2008 to Alloa from Bristol, and I have about 5 more I'm looking at booking before the year is out . Enjoy the West Highland line, mate, I did it from North Berwick on a SRPS railtour in 2008, and is far and away the best tour I have ever done, without question the most beautiuful line in Britain.

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Enjoy the West Highland line, mate, I did it from North Berwick on a SRPS railtour in 2008, and is far and away the best tour I have ever done, without question the most beautiuful line in Britain.

A point I have just though about, On our Statesman Rail terms and conditions it mentions not being aloud to stick your head out the window for photographs and videos, Now I understand that while we are heading up the West Coast and around Motherwell and Glasgow, but surly they will not stop us taking pictures along the single track beautiful West Highland Line, especially with the Horseshoe Curve and stunning lochs, after all my main view of railtours are of rail fans taking pictures of the things they love!

Is this a general rule that tour companies have to print but are not going to enforce? Or is there licence in serious danger if there not seen to be stopping people hanging out the windows?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Is this a general rule that tour companies have to print but are not going to enforce? Or is there licence in serious danger if there not seen to be stopping people hanging out the windows?

I tend to do tour with BLS, Pathfinder, Compass and UKRT only, I've never really read T&Cs, but if you do it when there's no staff around, just slide/pull the window down, don't physically lean out, and snap away. I doubt they'll chuck you off

 

[CallySleeperKid]

I tend to do tour with BLS, Pathfinder, Compass and UKRT only, I've never really read T&Cs, but if you do it when there's no staff around, just slide/pull the window down, don't physically lean out, and snap away. I doubt they'll chuck you off

Yeah im not one for being waist up out the window, but do like to catch some shots and sounds of the engine, after all there is far to little loco hauled services around these days to get some good videos and pictures of, And im not stupid enough to even attempt to video alone a mainline and lose my head!

 

[scotsman]

The important ones -
1st tour - The Lowland Growler mini-tour in November '09 - p***ing rain, grey skies but epic 37 thrash and a geat laugh with all my mates.

1st tour I worked - SRPS Liverpool Tour - wonderful hot, sunny day in June. Saw an awful lot of the country, fell in love with a City that people love to lambast and got 521 miles of 67 haulage (jokes - I don't care about skips)

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Yeah im not one for being waist up out the window, but do like to catch some shots and sounds of the engine, after all there is far to little loco hauled services around these days to get some good videos and pictures of, And im not stupid enough to even attempt to video alone a mainline and lose my head!

Yeah, if your just sticking your head/camera out, you should be fine, just make sure there's no crew around

 

[CallySleeperKid]

521 miles)

Ah, the mileage! Alfreton to Mallaig and return, lovely after a couple of dry months!

 

[MidnightFlyer]

The important ones -
1st tour - The Lowland Growler mini-tour in November '09 - p***ing rain, grey skies but epic 37 thrash and a geat laugh with all my mates.

That the mini-tour Edinburgh-Coatbridge area, meant to be out via Shotts, but ended up via Carstairs due to a landslip at Breich?

 

[4SRKT]

Despite my advanced years and geriatric appearance, my first railtour was actually Spitfire's Capital Whistler in November '08. This was a cracking do, and encouraged me to go on more. The now infamous arrests on this tour also have raised it close to legendary status! Reminded me a bit of the unruly behaviour on service trains on Summer Saturdays in the mid-80s, although I never actually saw anyone getting nicked then.

I never needed to do tours when younger because I had privs, so went all over the network doing rateable traction throughout the '80s. What a lucky lad!

 

[scotsman]

That the mini-tour Edinburgh-Coatbridge area, meant to be out via Shotts, but ended up via Carstairs due to a landslip at Breich?

The very same
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I tend to do tour with BLS, Pathfinder, Compass and UKRT only, I've never really read T&Cs, but if you do it when there's no staff around, just slide/pull the window down, don't physically lean out, and snap away. I doubt they'll chuck you off

Some operators can be really harsh about this, although I've only ever heard of bans for full on flails out the window. We're not the harshest, but if someone leans out too far - they will be asked to stop it.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

The very same
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Some operators can be really harsh about this, although I've only ever heard of bans for full on flails out the window. We're not the harshest, but if someone leans out too far - they will be asked to stop it.

I was on that too then. Who do you mean with 'We're'?

 

[scotsman]

I was on that too then. Who do you mean with 'We're'?

Nice - I was at the vestibule of the 2nd coach.

"We're" = SRPS Railtours - although I am most definitely not commenting on their behalf and they do not condone dangerous behaviour. I mean that there's never any warnings of bans for those who lean out.

 

[class313]

My first one was the 'Silverlink Swansong 2' back in 2007 with 50049 and 37410. That was really nice, the route was too complex and complicated to remember

 

[Techniquest]

My first was a Past Time Rail job to Aberystwyth with 37203 to/from Shrewsbury and 7802 Bradley Manor onwards/back on 21st October 2004. Loved it and now try to do at least two tours a year.

Enjoy the Statesman tour, the West Highland line is absolutely stunning!

 

[33056]

My first railtour was behind 35028 "Clan Line" in March 1985 on one of the regular "Sunday lunch" trains that ran from Marylebone to Stratford-on-Avon. Been on hundreds since then with steam, diesel and electric but I have slowed down considerably in the last couple of years - tend to do more in mainland Europe than the UK these days.

My last tour was with oil-fired steamer 01 1066 in Germany two weeks ago and my next one will also be in Germany in two weeks time.

 

[33011]

My first railtour 37350 Euston to Coalville on the Coalville Cobbler 05/06/88.Back via Lickey 37350 climbing lickey bank with load 11 unassisted

 

[theblackwatch]

It seems everyone here is a mere youngster! Mine was the Midlander No. 2 railtour in January 1978 - had 40016 Manchester Vic-Toton for a depot visit, 20113+20169 to Derby for a works visit and the 40016 (again) back to Stockport. There's a review in issue 142 of Rail Express, including complete lists of what was on Toton and in Derby Works at the time! Two big memories from the trip

1. We had to use steps to get off at Toton as there was no platform - no big deal to me now but as a child it was quite exciting!
2. 24137 parked on its side at Toton - used for rerealing exercises.

One final thing, just to show how long back it was, I believe one of the 20s was still green!

 

[12CSVT]

My first railtour was a pair of 20s (20095 & 206) through Glasgow QS low level in the late 1970s. I was a youngster then - 8 years old at the time.
Best tour of all time was the 'Tiberius Kirk' in 1999 (37114 plus load 12 unaided out of Oban)

 

[Bevan Price]

My first tour was as a student in 1959...(a long, long time ago....).
Visited Liverpool Riverside, Canada Dock, Alexandra Dock, Aintree Central, Altcar & Hillhouse (on Southport CLC line), Ormskirk - Rainford - St. Helens - Widnes - Garston Dock, etc.
And all for £1.
Motive power ex- LMS / LNWR 7F 0-8-0's, with a little assistance from a Jinty 3F 0-6-0T.

Bevan

 

[EltonRoad]

Mine was a Hertfordshire Railtours "125 Special" from Birmingham New Street to Blaenau Ffestiniog, going via Llandudno. Very exciting, seeing the 125 going down the branch line and through the slate mountains. It was a great day out. 1992/3.

 

[scotsman]

Mine was a Hertfordshire Railtours "125 Special" from Birmingham New Street to Blaenau Ffestiniog, going via Llandudno. Very exciting, seeing the 125 going down the branch line and through the slate mountains. It was a great day out. 1992/3.

Wow! I would have loved to do that tour, it's got everything! Decent traction, decent rolling stock and fantastic scenery.

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Got back from my first tour last night, and it was a superb trip!

Beautiful Pullman coaches, great host, very friendly and helpful staff, the fantastic scenery of Scotland and the West Highland Line, the list goes on.

Lovely steam trip to Mallaig and back behind Black 5 45407. Our main tour was top and tailed bye DRS 47802 'Pride of Cumbria' and West Coast 47804.

Also bumped into The Royal Scotsman with 47 and 37 top and tail on a run to Mallaig and back, plus another Black 5 in the sidings.

Photos and videos will follow later on when I have had a sort through.

Great memories and I'm sure its just the first of many to come......

CSK

 

[AndyJB]

My first Railtour was the DC Green Flasher on 17/07/1993. It featured the National Railway museum's E5001 (71001) but also included 56005 and a double-header from 73139 & 73141. Fantastic tour and the 71 performed admirably!

 

[Techniquest]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the experience CallySleeperKid. No doubt you'll be on more then in the coming years, it'll be a case of which one to choose next. Always so many that sound worth doing during the course of an average year!

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the experience CallySleeperKid. No doubt you'll be on more then in the coming years, it'll be a case of which one to choose next. Always so many that sound worth doing during the course of an average year!

Thanks for that, it really was a great trip, pity we had rain, and plenty of it, but the trip was great.

Its been great to read everybody's tales of their first tour, and im sure there will be plenty more posted.

For anyone that's interested I have just uploaded my photos from the trip, and the videos are following...... See thread http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=506198#post506198

 

[4SRKT]

Thanks for that, it really was a great trip, pity we had rain, and plenty of it, but the trip was great.

Its been great to read everybody's tales of their first tour, and im sure there will be plenty more posted.

For anyone that's interested I have just uploaded my photos from the trip, and the videos are following...... See thread http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=506198#post506198

While you have had your first railtour, last week I enjoyed (and I mean enjoyed) my first go on the Caledonian Sleeper. All the more so because I wangled it on expenses! I've decided to opt out of the firm's company car scheme next year, so with the sort of careful planning I did for last week, work travel could become my primary source of rail mileage!

Now to propose that new depot opening in Penzance......

 

[CallySleeperKid]

While you have had your first railtour, last week I enjoyed (and I mean enjoyed) my first go on the Caledonian Sleeper. All the more so because I wangled it on expenses! I've decided to opt out of the firm's company car scheme next year, so with the sort of careful planning I did for last week, work travel could become my primary source of rail mileage!

Now to propose that new depot opening in Penzance......

Go for it! Our next trip on the Caledonian Sleeper is booked in for December for my birthday, roll on! Seems ages since we were lost on out way up there tucking into haggis and whisky in the lounge car.

Hope you enjoyed some of the same on your trip.

 

[scotsman]

This darned sleeper sounds good! Think I'll need an excuse to book it now....