Steam or Diesel Train Tour?

[1369]

If you had the chance to go on a rail tour, which would you choose, a steam or diesel tour?

I personally would choose a steam tour.

 

[Peter C]

I'd go for steam, purely because I think it'd be an interesting change from the normal diesel-powered services people see day-to-day. If I could be picky in which engine was on it, it would be a GWR loco of some description (probably 6023 'King Edward II' or a 'Castle').

-Peter

 

[Jan Mayen]

For me destination and rolling stock would be important. I've been on two tours, one to Bristol the other to Bath. Both steam hauled but frankly on the journey, sitting with fellow travellers having a meal it didn't matter what was on the front.

 

[43096]

If you had the chance to go on a rail tour, which would you choose, a steam or diesel tour?

I personally would choose a steam tour.

Diesel. Little to no interest in kettles.

 

[Whistler40145]

If you had the chance to go on a rail tour, which would you choose, a steam or diesel tour?

I personally would choose a steam tour.

As always, a pair of Class 37 diesel locos

 

[CW2]

I'm in the "Mixed Traction" category. I'd take a rake of Mk 1 coaches and a Royal Scot from Crewe to Cardiff. At Cardiff, the Scot would go for turning and servicing whilst top-and-tail 37s visited as many valleys and branches as could be fitted in the available time. Royal Scot back from Cardiff to Crewe. Outward journey direct Crewe - Cardiff, return via Wrexham, Chester, Middlewich. (It would be quite a long day out!).

I've confined my thoughts to a single day trip within the UK. There are many overseas options too.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Very much depends. I grew up in the diesel age but do like a kettle from time to time. Depends on the traction, rolling stock, destination and affordability. Most often, if a tour interested me, I would most probably be at a suitable location to photograph it in action

 

[xotGD]

As always, a pair of Class 37 diesel locos

Even better, a pair of required 37s!

 

[Whistler40145]

Even better, a pair of required 37s!

Oh yes

 

[Harvester]

I would go for mixed traction. A4 from York to Edinburgh and a Deltic return would be a good day out.

 

[NorthWestRover]

40 106 Euston to Glasgow Queen Street where 40 122/D200 will drop on the back and take the train back to London but via Edinburgh and the ECML to King's Cross.

So diesel.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Diesel plus some electric for me. I'd like to recreate the mixed traction tours. Featuring 20s,60s,70s and 92s.

 

[Master Cutler]

I did the Blue Pullman HST St Pancras Manchester round trip in December, and I enjoyed the feeling speeding past most modern traction on the main lines and keeping to schedule, so it's a thumbs up to Diesel for me.

 

[xotGD]

I did the Blue Pullman HST St Pancras Manchester round trip in December, and I enjoyed the feeling speeding past most modern traction on the main lines and keeping to schedule, so it's a thumbs up to Diesel for me.

If that's the diesel option I'll take the kettle!

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

I should like to ride behind the beautiful Q1 steam locomotive, also behind very old engines, the Adams Radial Tank maybe
And I should like to go on a train with no locomotive: a gravity train on the Festiniog Railway

 

[Mag_seven]

If you had the chance to go on a rail tour, which would you choose, a steam or diesel tour?

Is electric traction not allowed then? I would love a tour behind a classic AC electric over lines not usually visited by them.

 

[Iskra]

I'm quite happy with either, it's often as much about the destination or route for me. I'm going to say steam however, knowing that you often get a bit of diesel thrown in.

I'll take any steam, at speed on a hilly mainline ideally. But with diesel, I'm a lot more specific about what type of diesel and if the locomotive is high quality I'm less fussy about where it's going .

My favourite steam tour was double headed Jubilee and Royal Scot Lancaster-Carlisle and return (featuring a 47 Upperby-Carlisle). Favourite diesel tours were a Deltic York-Liverpool-York or 2x Class 50 Worcester-Kingswear and return All three tours were amazing.

Worth noting is that the two draw different clientele and that you don't need to be on a tour to do mainline diesel depending on what you're interested in.

 

[Bevan Price]

In principle - steam. Nothing against diesels - in the past I have done numerous diesel (and some electric) tours. But in practice, I am not likely to be enthusiastic about any current tours. They mostly get poor timings, involving very early starts, late finishes, making them more like hard work than a pleasure. And some are more expensive than I might wish to pay.

 

[peteb]

Definitely steam but only if it is just that. Post Covid go for shorter tours which don't require diesel shovage and cater for the enthusiast rather than almost exclusively for the wine and dine set. The Shakespeare Express is great and I'd like to see that sort of trip extended more regularly round to the Cotswold line via Worcester and Oxford: just long afternoons in Summer rather than whole day trips, and more affordable prices.

We are not going to enthuse the next generation about steam trains if they cannot try fast express steam trains for themselves, either with parents or grandparents. But the thought (and cost) of taking kids on a dining train must surely be very off-putting so we need more SO stock with tables.

 

[DustyBin]

Diesel for me, I’d particularly like a 40, 50 or 55 for mainline haulage but any classic diesel is good. I’d love to travel on a Valenta powered HST again one day too (sorry @xotGD!).

I’d be interested in an electric railtour as although I travelled regularly behind (or in front!) of 91’s the only other electric loco I’ve had for haulage was an 86 many years ago. Hopefully the Class 89 will operate some tours.

The ultimate for me though would be a CIG or VEP which may one day happen!

 

[Islineclear3_1]

The ultimate for me though would be a CIG or VEP which may one day happen!

Each to their own...

Travelled/commuted on many a CIG/VEP in my time and a tour in them wouldn't interest me. However, a Thumper on the other hand.... (even though I've travelled on many)

I never got to travel behind a Class 76 - now that would be an interesting one for me...

 

[xotGD]

Each to their own...

Travelled/commuted on many a CIG/VEP in my time and a tour in them wouldn't interest me. However, a Thumper on the other hand.... (even though I've travelled on many)

I never got to travel behind a Class 76 - now that would be an interesting one for me...

A 76 and.77 tour using the DC wires down to Sunderland,. Sorted!

 

[Killingworth]

Horses for courses. Diesel hauled don't draw the lineside crowds but they dont pay the steam hauled bills. You don't get the best action photographs of locomotives from inside a carriage.

Quality of rolling stock, catering offered, destinations, pick up points and timings are all factors for me. Locomotive smoke can sometimes spoil views from onboard, but for nostalgists that's part of the pleasure.

 

[yorksrob]

Any Southern Region EMU/DEMU built between 1951 and 1974 (excluding PEP's)

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Any Southern Region EMU/DEMU built between 1951 and 1974 (excluding PEP's)

I might make an exception for a unreburbished 4 Cep full pelt between Tonbridge and Ashford or a REP non-stop Waterloo-Bournemouth

 

[yorksrob]

I might make an exception for a unreburbished 4 Cep full pelt between Tonbridge and Ashford or a REP non-stop Waterloo-Bournemouth

Or a phase 1 CIG full pelt between London and Brighton ?

 

[DustyBin]

Any Southern Region EMU/DEMU built between 1951 and 1974 (excluding PEP's)

So I’m not alone! I should try a tour on the Hastings unit, but a 205 or 207 would be even better as I (very) occasionally travelled on them. The reason I singled out a CIG or VEP is that it could realistically happen, but an EPB would be great!

 

[yorksrob]

So I’m not alone! I should try a tour on the Hastings unit, but a 205 or 207 would be even better as I (very) occasionally travelled on them. The reason I singled out a CIG or VEP is that it could realistically happen, but an EPB would be great!

Yes, I would love a tour on all of those. I'm holding out hope that one day the SETG's VEP will be available for tours at some stage. They were so ubiquitous, and for all their detractors, I had many a splendid trip on them over the years.

I would definitely recommend a trip on the Hastings unit - you can even book on the BIG buffet car if you wish !

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Or a phase 1 CIG full pelt between London and Brighton ?

Only if we had guaranteed greens all the way and special dispensation

 

[yorksrob]

Only if we had guaranteed greens all the way and special dispensation

Asparagus sandwiches and broccoli quiche on the trolley ?