Stobart Tours

[Donny Dave]

All tours cancelled with the stock to be returned to DRS.

 

[laseandre]

Website's down too.

 

[andylloyd]

Another victim of the credit crunch then?
Am wondering if the stock has been sent back to DRS then?

Regards

Andy

p.s if it is true my heart goes out to all those involved.

 

[laseandre]

What did David say?

 

[alex57601]

Another victim of the credit crunch then?

I would say it was a contributing factor, but I reckon there is more to it.

I do feel sorry for the staff though. I understand a few of them had been taken on after Victa Westlink ceased to be a TOC, and considering the current economic climate (affecting their chances of getting new jobs swiftly) it must be devastating for them for this to happen, especially being so soon after what happened to Victa.

 

[1VWC]

I would say it was a contributing factor, but I reckon there is more to it.

Hold up everyone, alex57601 is the so called 'expert' once again... :roll:

 

[yorkie]

Everyone's entitled to their opinion.

I have heard that some of the 'normals' didn't like the Stobart branding and that put them off. Also, look at the number of tours - clearly too many - this led to cancellations, which undermines confidence.

 

[theblackwatch]

Also, look at the number of tours - clearly too many - this led to cancellations, which undermines confidence.

Whilst I agree that cancellations undermine customer confidence, the number of tours was similar to those operated by the firm in its previous life as Hertfordshire Rail Tours. The other 'spin off' from Hertfordshire - UK Railtours - has had absolutely no problems filling its trains, with many of its tours being full weeks or months in advance, despite the 'credit crunch'.

 

[devon_metro]

Am I right in thinking the Stobart Pullman (awfully branded) was stemmed from the Blue Pullman, which IMO was a much better branded service.?

 

[37412]

Whilst I agree that cancellations undermine customer confidence, the number of tours was similar to those operated by the firm in its previous life as Hertfordshire Rail Tours. The other 'spin off' from Hertfordshire - UK Railtours - has had absolutely no problems filling its trains, with many of its tours being full weeks or months in advance, despite the 'credit crunch'.

But Stobart have started trips from all over the Uk havn't they? Whereas HRT started all trips in London or the surrounding area, clearly that being there customer base. Also from what i have heard else where John Farrow has a loyal band of supporters who book on most of his trips regardless of there destination, whether they have a pair of 37/4's on etc, if he has people like that who have travelled many times before because they think the trips run have been excellent then it is hardly suprising that he can fill tours months in advance.

 

[theblackwatch]

But Stobart have started trips from all over the Uk havn't they? Whereas HRT started all trips in London or the surrounding area, clearly that being there customer base. Also from what i have heard else where John Farrow has a loyal band of supporters who book on most of his trips regardless of there destination, whether they have a pair of 37/4's on etc, if he has people like that who have travelled many times before because they think the trips run have been excellent then it is hardly suprising that he can fill tours months in advance.

Stobart is/was actually Farrow's old company, Hertfordshire Rail Tours (having been sold to FM Rail at the end of 2005, then ending up in the hands of Victa Westlink and then the Stobart Group). As you say, the company had a loyal band of supporters, many of whom would just go for a day out. The new owners of HRT decided to ditch a highly respected brand and go for a new image, and obviously were of the opinion that they could expand the customer base. In the meantime, JF comes back, uses a different name and still fills his trips. Which one knew what they were doing?

 

[alex57601]

Hold up everyone, alex57601 is the so called 'expert' once again... :roll:

What do you know then? :roll:
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Stobart is/was actually Farrow's old company, Hertfordshire Rail Tours (having been sold to FM Rail at the end of 2005, then ending up in the hands of Victa Westlink and then the Stobart Group). As you say, the company had a loyal band of supporters, many of whom would just go for a day out. The new owners of HRT decided to ditch a highly respected brand and go for a new image, and obviously were of the opinion that they could expand the customer base. In the meantime, JF comes back, uses a different name and still fills his trips. Which one knew what they were doing?

I'm in total agreement with you on this one. No doubt a certain Mr Farrow isn't feeling too good about what has finally happened to his baby.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Am I right in thinking the Stobart Pullman (awfully branded) was stemmed from the Blue Pullman, which IMO was a much better branded service.?

Nope.

During the FM days, both companies ran as separate entities and were sold off to two different companies once FM collapsed. HRT went to Victa then Stobart, whilst the Blue Pullman went to Cotswold.

Seeing as though the Blue Pullman hasn't turned a wheel in months (combined with goings-on with other Cotswold Group companies) and now with the Stobart Pullman dead, it's safe to say that the charter remnants of FM Rail is no more.

 

[1VWC]

What do you know then?

A lot more than you, although it's not for discussion on a public forum.

Nope.

During the FM days, both companies ran as separate entities and were sold off to two different companies once FM collapsed. HRT went to Victa then Stobart, whilst the Blue Pullman went to Cotswold.

Nope.

Hertfordshire Railtours was part of FM Rail. The Blue Pullman coaching stock was owned/leased by FM Rail. Everything was part of FM Rail. There was no separate company owning or operating the Blue Pullman in FM days.

At the break up of FM Rail, the coaching stock ONLY was sold to Cotswold (if we are being pedantic it was sold to The Blue Pullman Train Company). The staff, mailing list etc were inherited by Victa.

Therefore, whilst the actual *rolling stock* went the ways you say, Liam's question that the Stobart Pullman stemmed from the Blue Pullman is quite correct (and, had Cotswold not got in there first to buy the coaches, it may have remained as the Blue Pullman). The operation remained essentially the same in Stobart days as in FM/Victa days. Office based in Derby, HRT mailing list, same staff office based and operationally...only difference was coaching stock which had some serious money spent on it by DRS (as you will see if you ever get chance to travel in it - it's almost unrecognisable from Virgin days).

Seeing as though the Blue Pullman hasn't turned a wheel in months (combined with goings-on with other Cotswold Group companies) and now with the Stobart Pullman dead, it's safe to say that the charter remnants of FM Rail is no more.

West Coast Railways seem to be making a pretty good success of the Green Train. Not previously owned by FM?

 

[theblackwatch]

Hertfordshire Railtours was part of FM Rail. The Blue Pullman coaching stock was owned/leased by FM Rail. Everything was part of FM Rail. There was no separate company owning or operating the Blue Pullman in FM days.

At the break up of FM Rail, the coaching stock ONLY was sold to Cotswold (if we are being pedantic it was sold to The Blue Pullman Train Company). The staff, mailing list etc were inherited by Victa.

And to be even more pedantic, only part of the Blue Pullman rake was sold to Cotswold. Four of the coaches (the RK, 2x FOs and the BSO) passed to Victa Westlink and are now in the DRS fleet.

When most of the BP rake went to Cotswold Rail, HRT continued to operate its Blue Pullman programme, simply dropping the 'blue' word and using Riviera's 'Great Briton' rake until DRS took over the operating of the trains when Victa ceased. In effect, 'Blue Pullman' was just a marketing name and set of coaches used by HRT in the same way that, in previous years, their dining trains had run under the 'Pride of the Nation' banner.

 

[JoshW1992]

Thats a shame... I was hoping to see the Stobart Pullman at some point.. Oh well

 

[SPS]

Hold up everyone, alex57601 is the so called 'expert' once again... :roll:

A lot more than you, although it's not for discussion on a public forum.

A casual observation if I may, you may choose wheter or not to take the following personally.

The online railway community seems to be riddled with socially challenged people who love nothing better than to put others down who dare to make a point. It seems quite clear to myself that you haven't a point to make of your own, so you feel you must ridicule others to justify your presence, except few are laughing at your dry wit. I rarely post for fear that my head will get bitten off for saying anything and it sends shivers down my spine that this community is portrayed as one where those with common interests hate each other on these very pages. The problem is similarly bad over on WNXX, where the grammatically challenged and those who mention the colouring or liveries of trains seem to be victimised en masse by others who are desperate for popularity. These are the only two railway related forums I peruse occasionally and the attitudes of the people make me cringe. In the angling and tractor communities, fellow enthusiasts are civil to each other in view of others and as a result they are much more enjoyable.

Now I have said my piece, I wish you a good evening. Toodle pip.

 

[5872]

Thats a shame... I was hoping to see the Stobart Pullman at some point.. Oh well

Same feelings there.

 

[JoshW1992]

The Stobart Pullman was a very smart looking train... If only I had time to Phot it..

 

[alex57601]

A casual observation if I may, you may choose wheter or not to take the following personally.

The online railway community seems to be riddled with socially challenged people who love nothing better than to put others down who dare to make a point. It seems quite clear to myself that you haven't a point to make of your own, so you feel you must ridicule others to justify your presence, except few are laughing at your dry wit. I rarely post for fear that my head will get bitten off for saying anything and it sends shivers down my spine that this community is portrayed as one where those with common interests hate each other on these very pages. The problem is similarly bad over on WNXX, where the grammatically challenged and those who mention the colouring or liveries of trains seem to be victimised en masse by others who are desperate for popularity. These are the only two railway related forums I peruse occasionally and the attitudes of the people make me cringe. In the angling and tractor communities, fellow enthusiasts are civil to each other in view of others and as a result they are much more enjoyable.

Now I have said my piece, I wish you a good evening. Toodle pip.

Thanks SPS, there was no need for the way 1VWC reacted. I post my views, and whether people agree with them or not is up to them but if people have a serious problem with them (as 1VWC seems to be) then keep it to yourselves or discuss it with me privately.

After all, that is what forums are for - open discussion. It's a shame that there are a few idiots who don't accept the views of others for whatever reason and have to throw a strop over it. Makes me wonder sometimes why I (and others) should bother.