Spitfire Tours - The Welshman

[Whistler40145]

For your information, I am no longer a member of the WNXX Forum. I don't need all this backbiting & unpleasantness as I am recovering from depression, having been off work for 3/4 months.

I know I am to some members a pain in the backside with my over enthusiastic questions & postings, it's just my way of having pleasant banter & simply an interest in our Railways.

All I want is friendly comments & not have the same unpleasant feeling as on WNXX.

If you really knew me, I am a very quiet person, but with a wonderful sense of humour!

Please stop this backbiting for the sake of my health.

 

[Whistler40145]

Thanks for the Tenby info Bald Rick, much appreciated.

 

[theblackwatch]

Thanks for the Tenby info Bald Rick, much appreciated.

I think info on Carmarthen may be more useful now! From the Spitfire Website:

We have been advised by our Train Operating Company that due to a shortage of train crew we are no longer able to visit our advertised destination of Tenby. The train will now traverse the Heart of Wales line and stop at Carmarthen for a 3 hour break instead.

Please accept our apologies for any disappointment that this late notice alteration may cause.

 

[Whistler40145]

Thought going down the Tenby branch was a bit dubious, so wouldn't surprise me at all!

I presume then that the stock can be turned there for the return journey?

 

[Chester025]

It's going Preston - Carmarthen, 47 Carmarthen - Fish, 37s Fish - Carmarthen South Jn, 47 Carmarthen South Jn - Carmarthen, 37s Carmarthen - Preston.

37s quoted as 37194 & 37688 and 47 quoted as 47580.

 

[Whistler40145]

Great pairing of 194+688!

 

[Chester025]

Great pairing of 194+688!

Are they winners for you?

 

[Whistler40145]

No, but nice to have them after many years!

 

[37113]

Apologies to all concerned for this late notice alteration due to a shortage of train crew, attempts were made to arrange for a Pilotman, however nobody able or available to cover the job from Whitland to Tenby.

With regards to the altered working, it's now 37's into Carmarthen, for 47580 to Fishguard, 37's to Carmarthen Jn, 47580 back into Carmarthen, 37's back to Preston.

 

[anthony263]

Had a feeling that there would be some problems running to Tenby. ow well i hope to be at Ferryside to film the 37's coming through

 

[truckman060473]

anyone know if it's returning to Preston via the heart of Wales line too?

 

[junglejames]

anyone know if it's returning to Preston via the heart of Wales line too?

No, its returning via the Marches route, via Newport and Hereford.

 

[37372]

And it'll probably be rather late too. We'll be at least 20 down back into Carmarthen from Fishguard.

 

[truckman060473]

I was able to join this tour at Carmarthen for a spin to Fishguard. A Spitfire Tours organiser issued a return for £20! A bargain for 47 haulage down and double head 37 haulage back. FANTASTIC !!!!!

 

[junglejames]

I was able to join this tour at Carmarthen for a spin to Fishguard. A Spitfire Tours organiser issued a return for £20! A bargain for 47 haulage down and double head 37 haulage back. FANTASTIC !!!!!

Nice. Id have done the same if i was around that area.

 

[anthony263]

I was able to join this tour at Carmarthen for a spin to Fishguard. A Spitfire Tours organiser issued a return for £20! A bargain for 47 haulage down and double head 37 haulage back. FANTASTIC !!!!!

Damm i would have done that if i had known as i was at carmarthen

 

[nedchester]

Some pictures of yesterdays jaunt here http://www.flickr.com/photos/nedchester/5675149840/in/set-72157626494945389/lightbox/:

I had a great day out but am pretty sure some normals didn't due to not being able to go to Tenby.

What is the nature of the contract between railtour operator and TOC (West Coast in this case)

On Thursday West Coast found they couldn't find a driver to take the train to Tenby due to driver illness.

Surely Spitfire should be able to get some recompense for this? After all they were in contract with Spitfire to run a train to TENBY (not Carmarthen). West Coast was unable to provide that and therefore should have offered some kind of refund for that? If not then why not?

It's a bit like ordering an Motorhead CD from Amazon and getting a Take That one and being told by Amazon 'tough'.

I also note that Spitfire didn't inform anybody about the destination change (except on their website) and the first the 'normals' knew was when they got on the train!! Not good.

Of course then we have the issue of the over length train but let's answer one question at a time!

 

[TGVDUDE]

Some pictures of yesterdays jaunt here http://www.flickr.com/photos/nedchester/5675149840/in/set-72157626494945389/lightbox/:

I had a great day out but am pretty sure some normals didn't due to not being able to go to Tenby.

What is the nature of the contract between railtour operator and TOC (West Coast in this case)

On Thursday West Coast found they couldn't find a driver to take the train to Tenby due to driver illness.

Surely Spitfire should be able to get some recompense for this? After all they were in contract with Spitfire to run a train to TENBY (not Carmarthen). West Coast was unable to provide that and therefore should have offered some kind of refund for that? If not then why not?

It's a bit like ordering an Motorhead CD from Amazon and getting a Take That one and being told by Amazon 'tough'.

I also note that Spitfire didn't inform anybody about the destination change (except on their website) and the first the 'normals' knew was when they got on the train!! Not good.

Of course then we have the issue of the over length train but let's answer one question at a time!

Well WCRC probably offered Spitfire to run to Fishguard as a replacement for Tenby, and the Coaches, well that should have been sorted in planning, I mean they should know that the trains in front of the tour would fill up Carmarthen surely
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I was able to join this tour at Carmarthen for a spin to Fishguard. A Spitfire Tours organiser issued a return for £20! A bargain for 47 haulage down and double head 37 haulage back. FANTASTIC !!!!!

I'd probably have done that, I went to Pwll & Briton Ferry for my shots, http://www.flickr.com/photos/lewismitchellrailways/ but would have changed plans for a bash :P but as i knew they were full i didn't bother inquiring about it.

 

[truckman060473]

It was down to luck really. The circumstances at the time were just perfect. The tour was indeed fully booked, but the Spitfire Tours staff knew that maybe half or more of the passengers would probably disembark at Carmarthen, leaving room for anyone wishing to try and board here. The other thing is that a lot of tours down here may involve a platform call at Carmarthen on the outward journey, but returning via the loop, creating big problems if you want to get back to your start point. In this case, however, it was very fortunate that the charter called twice at Carmarthen.

 

[37372]

It was a good tour, quite enjoyable, and apart from not going to Tenby it did exactly as it said on the tin. Something a bit "different" too with suicidal wedding people at Ferryside and my coach having no working lights or PA!

Nice to meet Mr Drimnagh Road who was sat at my table

 

[theblackwatch]

It was a good tour, quite enjoyable, and apart from not going to Tenby it did exactly as it said on the tin. Something a bit "different" too with suicidal wedding people at Ferryside and my coach having no working lights or PA!

Nice to meet Mr Drimnagh Road who was sat at my table

Your coach wasn't 5419 (a Mk. 2a TSO) by any chance?

 

[37372]

I can't remember the number but it was certainly a Mk2a.

 

[83009]

I have put out feelers with Jo Ford @ Spitfire

No wonder you have depression!