New Belmond train in England & Wales

[chrisjo]

I see from a YouTube video Class 37's on the Cambrian line to Pwellheli section. I bet all crowded around those opening windows appreciating the thrash, though difficult to see through the darkened Windows

Again, the 2 vids on youtube say 'test run'

 

[D6130]

I saw the train at Bridgend. The dining car was full which would probably be the full complement of passngers. About 30 i reckon. It was running slow behind a maesteg service waiting to leave the main line

The people in the restaurant car could have been Belmond management and staff, perhaps?

 

[WAB]

Looks like the Belmond caused considerable delays on the Cambrian Coast yesterday. 1Z93 left Barmouth five minutes late, reversed at Tywyn, then lost another ten minutes in section. This put 13 minutes of delays onto 2I12. This then seems to have set off a chain reaction with delays of between 15 and 40 minutes on all trains up the coast until the end of service. Do we know what caused the initial delays at Barmouth, then between Tywyn and Barmouth?

 

[Mag_seven]

Just seen the train at Reading - the only people I could see on the train had HV vests on indicating a test run rather than a revenue earning run.

 

[chrisjo]

Video at SHR showing changeover from 66 to 37s. Definitely empty as others have said, looks like dust-sheets over some of the interior.

 

[Maurice Turner]

There were only 8 carriages. I thought that there were supposed to be 10 with 2 for the use of the crew.

 

[Forty29]

Again, the 2 vids on youtube say 'test run'

Should have realised that!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

There were only 8 carriages. I thought that there were supposed to be 10 with 2 for the use of the crew.

Which two were the ones not included, then? The two crew ones?

 

[Peter Sarf]

Which two were the ones not included, then? The two crew ones?

At Victoria on Thursday the two missing coaches were 99104 and 99105 - by my Mk1 eyeball. I arrived too late to see the actual arrival on platform 2 but there were a few tourists departing the platform and milling around. The ECS left before 10:30 to immediately be replaced by the Belmond Pullman with 35028 "Clan Line" apparently headed for Dover !. Maybe the travellers I saw were for the Pullman ?. I did not notice covers on tables etc but I was not specifically looking.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

At Victoria on Thursday the two missing coaches were 99104 and 99105 - by my Mk1 eyeball. I arrived too late to see the actual arrival on platform 2 but there were a few tourists departing the platform and milling around. The ECS left before 10:30 to immediately be replaced by the Belmond Pullman with 35028 "Clan Line" apparently headed for Dover !. Maybe the travellers I saw were for the Pullman ?. I did not notice covers on tables etc but I was not specifically looking.

Ah yes, I saw that - my train into Victoria passed both just outside the station; I for some reason didn't think to look at the numbers on the new rake! Somewhat unexpected seeing both sets together like that...

What was less usual was that 35028 had 67 021 tucked inside while there was also 67 005 on the London end; presumably the second 67 was fire risk insurance to take the load off Clan Line at sensitive areas?

 

[50002Superb]

Apparently the first passenger working is tomorrow?

 

[Peter Sarf]

Apparently the first passenger working is tomorrow?

There is a 1Z10 in the system.

Apparently "Sold Out" according to their booking system.

Realtime Trains | 1Z10 1548 London Victoria to Bishops Lydeard Gbrf | 29/08/2025

Real-time train running information for 1Z10 1548 departure from London Victoria to Bishops Lydeard Gbrf on 29/08/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Deepgreen]

Again, the 2 vids on youtube say 'test run'

I very much doubt that those on board will care what is hauling the train!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Aug 2025 ==

I see the train is set to do the Cornwall and Wales tour starting today, but that it returns to Victoria between the two areas. Is this necessary for servicing, to allow passengers to leave in London, or some other reason?

 

[Killingworth]

I very much doubt that those on board will care what is hauling the train!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Aug 2025 ==

I see the train is set to do the Cornwall and Wales tour starting today, but that it returns to Victoria between the two areas. Is this necessary for servicing, to allow passengers to leave in London, or some other reason?

Possibly a freebie publicity run to get media coverage?

 

[Deepgreen]

My apologies - I should have checked their site. The train apparently is scheduled to return to London mid-way through to have a meal at a hotel there before heading to Wales. I magine the chance to service it will also be taken!

 

[Class15]

My apologies - I should have checked their site. The train apparently is scheduled to return to London mid-way through to have a meal at a hotel there before heading to Wales. I magine the chance to service it will also be taken!

Perhaps the trip is also offered as individual trips, rather than the two combined?

 

[BillStampy]

Perhaps the trip is also offered as individual trips, rather than the two combined?

I believe they offer the two seperate ones - Cornwall and Wales trips individually and the one 6 day trip to Cornwall and Wales. I could be wrong

 

[Class15]

I believe they offer the two seperate ones - Cornwall and Wales trips individually and the one 6 day trip to Cornwall and Wales. I could be wrong

Yes - that’s what I was thinking. So the 6 day trip passengers are basically doing two different ones.

 

[Peter Sarf]

I very much doubt that those on board will care what is hauling the train!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Aug 2025 ==

I see the train is set to do the Cornwall and Wales tour starting today, but that it returns to Victoria between the two areas. Is this necessary for servicing, to allow passengers to leave in London, or some other reason?

There is a separate 3 night tour to Wales starting on the day (morning) the Cornwall Tour finishes. Must be an ambitions turn around !.

There is a six night tour of the two combined starting next year. First date seems to be 5th March 2026.

Unfortunately the callender does not want to allude to a six day tour (or any) starting on 29th August (in the past). The current Cornwall tour has dropped off (was showing as sold out on the morning of the departure day) !. So cannot see if there was a combined tour advertised BUT the next six night tour is six months away. There is not a follow on Wales tour after the next Cornwall tour that starts on 19th September.

 

[Maurice Turner]

Does anyone know what all the movements are for to and from Fawley?

 

[co-tr-paul]

Looking at all the photos , I'm wondering what the point is of the observation coach ?
Unless you like 66 cab fronts !
( yes I know routes require tnt ! ).

 

[BillStampy]

Looking at all the photos , I'm wondering what the point is of the observation coach ?
Unless you like 66 cab fronts !
( yes I know routes require tnt ! ).

On the Wales test run I saw the 66 on the rear wasn't on the consist so it did provide purpose for that run. I've noticed it's been on the back of the current run the entire way through so it does sort of defeat the point of the coach.

 

[Yorkshire09876]

Looking at all the photos , I'm wondering what the point is of the observation coach ?
Unless you like 66 cab fronts !
( yes I know routes require tnt ! ).

It's as converted when it was used in Ireland, where the train wasn't top and tail so in at least one direction there would be a view.

 

[JKF]

It’ll give a nice view of all the crap left in the cess by maintenance contractors.

 

[Western 52]

Looks like 1Z90 has left Victoria for Haverfordwest.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Realtime Trains | 0Z91 1555 Coleham Lmd to Shrewsbury | 02/09/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Z91 1555 departure from Coleham Lmd to Shrewsbury on 02/09/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 0Z92 1617 Shrewsbury to Bescot Up Engineers Sdgs | 02/09/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Z92 1617 departure from Shrewsbury to Bescot Up Engineers Sdgs on 02/09/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 1Z91 1355 Llandrindod to Pwllheli | 02/09/2025

Real-time train running information for 1Z91 1355 departure from Llandrindod to Pwllheli on 02/09/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

66748 and 66744 on the Britannic Explorer tomorrow.

 

[chrisjo]

66748 and 66744 on the Britannic Explorer tomorrow.

Only 66748 on 1Z90 on HOWL this morning. Definitely punters on board, but they forgot to put the headboard on the front. At Llangadog:

 

[Western 52]

I watched it pass my house in the dark yesterday evening. Did look to be some passengers on there, but a lot of blinds were down.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

I saw it at Shrewsbury today. I'll post photos soon.

 

[D6130]

Only 66748 on 1Z90 on HOWL this morning. Definitely punters on board, but they forgot to put the headboard on the front. At Llangadog:

View attachment 187683

I'm surprised the punters could see any of the scenery with that all-encroaching vegetation!