Newbie at railtours

[cheekyfox]

Hi, I am thinking of taking my husband on the The Cumbrian Crusader IV railtour as an treat, to celebrate 9 months of marriage.

Can people tell us what we are to expect and is it a good idea to do this. He is in to Kettles and drives on the short Welsh Highland Railway. And I like noisy dirty diesels especially 37's.

What is essential equipment and provisions?

 

[Drimnagh Road]

Bring plenty of beer and you'll fit in grand.

 

[43167]

Sounds like an excellent idea. It should be a good day. 2x37's on the leg from Newcastle back to New St.

Im on the same tour from ethier Chesterfield or Sheffield.

 

[scotsman]

From my experience of working tours like these I recomment beer, beer and beer. (Well, the passengers got to have it anyway!) A camera tends to go down well to record the havoc that sometimes ensues.

And for taking a 'seminar' in front of a 'hellfire' (noisy, dirty, much favoured) engine - You're meant to pose in front of the loco, with your arm at an angle so it can be mistaken for a Nazi salute while bending down as if to greet a young child. Preferrably alongside a suitable headboard. Add other veg as neccessary.

 

[cheekyfox]

Sounds like an excellent idea. It should be a good day. 2x37's on the leg from Newcastle back to New St.

Im on the same tour from ethier Chesterfield or Sheffield.

That is the bit I am looking forward to, I dragged him last year to the 37 day at Blaenavon, I was the one to stick my head out of the window to listen to the sweet sound......

We shall either be starting from Birmingham Airport or New Street, depends which is easier to get to from Shirley at that time of the morning. The local trains will still be tucked up in bed.

Beer - will real ale do?
Food - Lots of.
Cameras - Two Film SLR's with big lenses (to fit in) and my small olympus camera.

 

[sprinterguy]

That is the bit I am looking forward to, I dragged him last year to the 37 day at Blaenavon, I was the one to stick my head out of the window to listen to the sweet sound......

We shall either be starting from Birmingham Airport or New Street, depends which is easier to get to from Shirley at that time of the morning. The local trains will still be tucked up in bed.

Beer - will real ale do?
Food - Lots of.
Cameras - Two Film SLR's with big lenses (to fit in) and my small olympus camera.

Real ale is best! I'm on this tour and will be bountifully supplied with plenty of the amber tipple. Although it remains to be seen if I’ll be drinking with any sort of conviction before the return leg, given the abysmally early start time from New Street, though there is a good chance that I’ll be coming straight from a club to the train, as given the early hour I’ll have to be out of bed sleeping is hardly worth it!

Food wise, an on train picnic can be an enjoyable experience as the scenery passes the window. Personally, I’ll be enjoying a pub lunch in Carlisle: I’ll also mention that there is an excellent fish and chip shop on the Crescent opposite the station entrance at Carlisle that is well worth a look if you are feeling peckish.

I'm looking forward to travelling the full length of the S&C for the first time. I was also sold by the fact that the return journey passes through my native north east!

Btw, does anyone know if this tour is likely to comprise aircon "coffins" or proper PV carriages as the standard class portion?

 

[142094]

Beer and a bacon sandwich for breakfast, more beer and a ham/chicken/beef sandwich for lunch, fish and chips somewhere if possible and more beer later on. Always a bit crap when you have to drive to get to the station and no beer on the train!

 

[scotsman]

When I'm working a tour I tend to go for a Boots Meal Deal for lunch and dinner. Part of my preparation (other than getting my kitbag ready) is researching if/where the nearest Boots to the station is. If not, a supermarket is raided!

 

[43167]

Real ale is best! I'm on this tour and will be bountifully supplied with plenty of the amber tipple. Although it remains to be seen if I’ll be drinking with any sort of conviction before the return leg, given the abysmally early start time from New Street, though there is a good chance that I’ll be coming straight from a club to the train, as given the early hour I’ll have to be out of bed sleeping is hardly worth it!

Food wise, an on train picnic can be an enjoyable experience as the scenery passes the window. Personally, I’ll be enjoying a pub lunch in Carlisle: I’ll also mention that there is an excellent fish and chip shop on the Crescent opposite the station entrance at Carlisle that is well worth a look if you are feeling peckish.

I'm looking forward to travelling the full length of the S&C for the first time. I was also sold by the fact that the return journey passes through my native north east!Btw, does anyone know if this tour is likely to comprise aircon "coffins" or proper PV carriages as the standard class portion?

Similar reason for me. The 20's leg pass through my hometown station on the Aire Valley.

 

[cheekyfox]

Application for tickets sent off. Looks like it will be a long day, somehow we need to get into New Street at a very early hour.

Beer has been ordered, so has the eats. My Husband will need a lot of these to see him through the day. I may have to bring something along to keep me busy.. any suggestions

Looks like we will also so do the double-kettle trip from Tyseley to Llandudno at the end of April.

 

[Dennis]

I may have to bring something along to keep me busy.. any suggestions

Knitting?

More seriously, bring along a pair of scissors and offer everyone a hair cut.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

My Husband will need a lot of these to see him through the day. I may have to bring something along to keep me busy.. any suggestions

.

OS Map? Quial Map? Book? Looking out of the window?

 

[cheekyfox]

Knitting?

More seriously, bring along a pair of scissors and offer everyone a hair cut.

Now I am married, I better start on His Christmas Jumper....I should have enough time on this trip to finish at least two arms.

As for hair cuts, I have two questions

1) Will we have 240V available to give No2 haircuts?
2) What size bowl should I have?


Now being very sad....

Mileage 2011 1120miles 39 Chains
Last Journey Hall Green to Shirley 2 miles 44 Chains

 

[Dennis]

Now I am married, I better start on His Christmas Jumper....I should have enough time on this trip to finish at least two arms.

How many arms has hubby got? It might best to stop at two.

re 240V supply, yes there will be a socket somewhere in the carriage, most likely marked 'not for public use' - don't worry about that, just means the voltage might fluctuate a bit. Could add a bit of variety to the end style, although after a few beers, who cares?

 

[scotsman]

How many arms has hubby got? It might best to stop at two.

re 240V supply, yes there will be a socket somewhere in the carriage, most likely marked 'not for public use' - don't worry about that, just means the voltage might fluctuate a bit. Could add a bit of variety to the end style, although after a few beers, who cares?

Aye right you will! Mk1 and Mk2a-c contain no plug sockets at all. I doubt Type 2s/3s would be up to that

 

[Dennis]

Well, I did originally suggest scissors; best hope it's some nice coffins if the OP wants to get the leccy clippers out.

 

[4SRKT]

Sadly I won't be on this tour, but when on tours I concur with most of the advice given above. Real ale is a vital ingredient, as is good food. On the Deltic positioning move tour on 4th March my mate will be bringing the roast pheasant (one each!) and I will be supplying the smoked trout sandwiches and chorizo. We will be responsible for our own beer, probably bought from the actually quiet impressive selection to be had for between 99p and £1.19 a bottle at Home Bargains (((((Home Bargains))))) The relatively civilised start time of 09:05 off Preston means that we can drink pretty much all the way to London without getting too hammered

 

[cheekyfox]

Looking forward to Saturday, still no tickets yet. When should they arrive?

 

[Dreadnought]

Looking forward to Saturday, still no tickets yet. When should they arrive?

Mine arrived today, so in the next day or two I would think.

 

[43167]

Mine arrived today. Expect they will be on the way. Remember its a sell out, so alot of letters to post.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Just to check after reading how to fit in on a railtour...
I dont drink due to health issues which is bad but then again saves me an absolute fortune at uni. Anyway i can fit in without such a love for beer?
i'm not on this one, but plannign one in summer

 

[cheekyfox]

Tickets have arrived at home. Hubby is happy

 

[sprinterguy]

I can only presume that my tickets have probably also arrived by this point: They're being delivered to my friend's address (we're on the trip as a duo); I'm in Birmingham, he lives and works in Daventry at the moment, and the train leaves New Street at 05:44 on Saturday. The logistical challenges and the number and variety of opportunities for things going wrong as concerns us actually meeting up on the day, so that I have a ticket to my name, are numerous! Having a reasonably relaxed and optimistic outlook on life is essential right about now…
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Just to check after reading how to fit in on a railtour...
I dont drink due to health issues which is bad but then again saves me an absolute fortune at uni. Anyway i can fit in without such a love for beer?
i'm not on this one, but plannign one in summer

Drinking is by no means a requirement on railtours, just a preference of many of the "regulars" Set out with an enthusiastic demeanour and high hopes for the day and you can't go wrong, sober or otherwise...

 

[scotsman]

Just to check after reading how to fit in on a railtour...
I dont drink due to health issues which is bad but then again saves me an absolute fortune at uni. Anyway i can fit in without such a love for beer?
i'm not on this one, but plannign one in summer

Us Stewards seem to manage!

 

[cheekyfox]

One day to go, looking at the weather we may actually see some snow on the way around.

Thanks for the advice and I hope to see a few of you tommorrow, just look for a mad woman with a little fox. Also sat with me will be my husband!

 

[sprinterguy]

Coach E, seats 28 and 29 is where I'll be reportedly. The ale is ready to go! Although I suspect, with the times involved, that the "party" won't really start until the return journey for those inclined to partake in a tipple or three...

 

[cheekyfox]

We will be in D09 and D10

 

[badger1badger]

Hi, I am thinking of taking my husband on the The Cumbrian Crusader IV railtour as an treat, to celebrate 9 months of marriage.

Can people tell us what we are to expect and is it a good idea to do this. He is in to Kettles and drives on the short Welsh Highland Railway. And I like noisy dirty diesels especially 37's.

What is essential equipment and provisions?

Hi there just wondering what a kettle is ??

 

[matt]

Hi there just wondering what a kettle is ??

A steam loco

 

[badger1badger]

A steam loco

Ahhh yes easy !