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- Joined
- 28 Mar 2010
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- 11
I recently went on the Retro railtour to Southend 28-05-11 and the Compass tour to Dundee 01-06-2011. Both good trips.Here are a few comments.
Start Time Retro later and more sociable but Compass trip further to travel.
On Train Info. An excellent 8 page booklet with route detail and timings from Retro plus an old style ticket not dissimilar to thise issued by BR in the 80's. Compass 2 sided sheet which doubled up as the ticket.
Price Retro £54 Compass £69 again Dundee further than Southend.
Traction. Retro more imiginative with two class 31's where as the Compass trip saw a class 47 (out) and 57 (back) in charge. A pity the 31's had to come off at Nuneaton due to limited fuel capacity (and were replaced by a 67).
On Board Atmosphere. Retro better and more convivial probably due to the hand pumped ales delivered down the train too. Compass bottled beers only.
Scenery/Route. Compass more spectacular especially in the Lakes/South Lakes/Scottish coast including the Forth and Tay bridges. It's a shame the train didn't come back along the East Coast route as 1st advertised. Credit to Retro though for going on underground/overground line. Great to see the open mouthed passangers on the platforms 'What the so and so is this train doing on this line'. I for one, like going through urban araes where the train regularly accelerates/decellerates. This makes for good thrash!
Punctuality. Excellent on both. The Retro tour was held up outside Stoke due to factors totally beyond their control which was unfortunate.
Funniest Incident. Retro where teenagers decked out in Barcalona regalia tried to board the train at West Hampstead. (the one stop off point for people getting off and wanted a day out in London). Got off with seconds to spare.
Stewards. 1st class on both.
On the evidence of the two tours Retro shades it for me but I'd certainly travel with both companies again.
Start Time Retro later and more sociable but Compass trip further to travel.
On Train Info. An excellent 8 page booklet with route detail and timings from Retro plus an old style ticket not dissimilar to thise issued by BR in the 80's. Compass 2 sided sheet which doubled up as the ticket.
Price Retro £54 Compass £69 again Dundee further than Southend.
Traction. Retro more imiginative with two class 31's where as the Compass trip saw a class 47 (out) and 57 (back) in charge. A pity the 31's had to come off at Nuneaton due to limited fuel capacity (and were replaced by a 67).
On Board Atmosphere. Retro better and more convivial probably due to the hand pumped ales delivered down the train too. Compass bottled beers only.
Scenery/Route. Compass more spectacular especially in the Lakes/South Lakes/Scottish coast including the Forth and Tay bridges. It's a shame the train didn't come back along the East Coast route as 1st advertised. Credit to Retro though for going on underground/overground line. Great to see the open mouthed passangers on the platforms 'What the so and so is this train doing on this line'. I for one, like going through urban araes where the train regularly accelerates/decellerates. This makes for good thrash!
Punctuality. Excellent on both. The Retro tour was held up outside Stoke due to factors totally beyond their control which was unfortunate.
Funniest Incident. Retro where teenagers decked out in Barcalona regalia tried to board the train at West Hampstead. (the one stop off point for people getting off and wanted a day out in London). Got off with seconds to spare.
Stewards. 1st class on both.
On the evidence of the two tours Retro shades it for me but I'd certainly travel with both companies again.
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