Ridings Railtours

[GNERman]

Back in 1994/95, a relative recalls a rake of Mark 2 coaches being based (dumped?) in the sidings opposite Neville Hill Depot, being in BR Blue with "Ridings Railtours" writing on the side.

After a bit of research, RR is still based in Ripon (http://www.data-harrogate.co.uk/company/Ridings+Railtours/331648).

I have found info on three tours they operated:

York to Holyhead 1st July 1990 - http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/90s/900701rr.htm

Leeds to London St Pancras 17th November 1990 - http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/90s/901117rr.htm

Harrogate to Edinburgh Waverley 26 September 1992 - http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/90s/920926rr.htm

Other research suggests all tours started from the Leeds area.

Does anyone remember this company/shed any light on said company? Any photos? Any memories?

Thanks

 

[theblackwatch]

Ridings Railtours ran quite a few trains in the late 80s and early 90s. Other ones I can remember travelling on:

Harrogate to Euston in 1988 or 89 (47 to Stockport for an 85 forward)
Harrogate to Cardiff & Central Wales line in 1990 (featured one 47 to Cardiff and a different one back)
Harrogate to Edinburgh in May 1993 (47 throughout, formed of the newly certified 'Ridings Railtours' Mk. 2 rake)
?? to Edinburgh in Dec 93 (47 to York for a 90 forward, unsure where it started as I joined at York). Again was formed of RRT set.

The Ridings Railtours set was initially based at Carnforth when certified in 1993 but moved to Neville Hill later in the year. As it only comprised of 5 coaches with no brake, other coaches were added to the consist. When their main line certificate ran out, the remained in store at Neville Hill for several years but were subjected to vandalism and then written off after being set alight. They ended up at Booths after a spell at Healey Mills. None of the other coaches in the owner's collection have ever made it back onto the main line.

 

[GNERman]

Thanks