UK Railtours using SWT 158/159s

[STEVIEBOY1]

Good morning,

I have just booked on a UK Railtours trip in May from Waterloo to Minehead and for that train they are using a SWT 158 or 159 Diesel unit, has anybody been on one of those type tours before?, I wondered how many coaches they would normally run on these charter trains and if they do seat reservations which they do on their diesel or steam tours that are loco hauled using MK1 or MK2 stock.? as regular SWT trains to the West of England on these units no longer do seat reservations.

I think they have done a few of these specials using those units and also the MML/EMT 125s. It's quite innovative to use these sets for railtours as they give a bit of variation. The other destinations are interesting, with these units they can go almost anywhere on the network I should have thought and the prices are quite fair too. (I thought as it is a long day out I thought I try it in first class non dining)

The 158/159s and 125s are generally quite good performers when in use on the main line.

 

[craig87034]

Good morning,

I wondered how many coaches they would normally run on these charter trains and if they do seat reservations which they do on their diesel or steam tours that are loco hauled using MK1 or MK2 stock.? as regular SWT trains to the West of England on these units no longer do seat reservations.

Yes they do have seat reservations and will be 6 coaches

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Yes they do have seat reservations and will be 6 coaches

Thank you, I shall look forward to the trip.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I have just had my tickets for this UK Railtour Minehead train, I am in first class coach D seat 9, does anyone know if that is Window, Aisle or a single seat?

I see that owing to gauging issues, it may be that we have to get off the SWT units at Bishops Lydard and get onto a WSR train to and from Minehead. (I don't know if that onward train will be steam or diesel hauled, nice if it was steam)

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

The trip yesterday from Waterloo to Minehead was very good in spite of the SWT units not being allowed to travel beyond Bishops Lydyeard. The connecting WSR Trains were steam in hauled in both directions and we were able to use our tickets to travel on other WSR trains too, so I was able to travel behind about 3 different steam locos which along with the good weather made an enjoyable day out.