Railtour inflation.

[Alan Lee]

Every year for the past 7 years or so we've gone on a one day railtour
trip. It started with a standard class ticket to Edinburgh with
Statesman at £89 in 2018 iirc. Then we went full on dining option, once
a year, started at £200 from Leicester to Holyhead, diesel to Crewe,
steam from Crewe. Lovely day out, food and service were excellent. I
think we missed 2020 due to covid, so the next was Whitby, again, full
dining at £250 per person.
2022 was Weymouth at £275.
Getting a bit expensive now.
23 and 24 were Carlisle to Oban on the Midland Pullman, same company and
Staff as Statesman, but under a different name.2023 was £300 per person,
last year it was £350 per person.
Now, £700 for a day out is pretty serious money for me, but, it only
happens once a year, the food and service are excellent, so we've done it.
And a few weeks ago, I get the email advertising their tours for 2025, I
said shall we go to Oban again, yes, so I look it up. £425 each.

Fuck that. It's a great experience, but, I could get a service train
there, eat in the best restaurant, stay the night, and still have change
from £500 for both of us.

So, I got another email from SRPS at Bo'ness. They have a train going to
Inverness. Full dining in a second class coach, £200. Email them about
the catering, yes, the menu and service is just the same as in First
Class, just £50 cheaper. OK, booked, class 37 haulage there and back,
around 500 mile round trip, fed and watered for £400 for the pair of us.

I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their trains
are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see us
using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as they
say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt bad
value on its own.

[Recliner]

Post by Alan Lee
Every year for the past 7 years or so we've gone on a one day railtour
trip. It started with a standard class ticket to Edinburgh with
Statesman at £89 in 2018 iirc. Then we went full on dining option, once
a year, started at £200 from Leicester to Holyhead, diesel to Crewe,
steam from Crewe. Lovely day out, food and service were excellent. I
think we missed 2020 due to covid, so the next was Whitby, again, full
dining at £250 per person.
2022 was Weymouth at £275.
Getting a bit expensive now.
23 and 24 were Carlisle to Oban on the Midland Pullman, same company and
Staff as Statesman, but under a different name.2023 was £300 per person,
last year it was £350 per person.
Now, £700 for a day out is pretty serious money for me, but, it only
happens once a year, the food and service are excellent, so we've done it.
And a few weeks ago, I get the email advertising their tours for 2025, I
said shall we go to Oban again, yes, so I look it up. £425 each.
Fuck that. It's a great experience, but, I could get a service train
there, eat in the best restaurant, stay the night, and still have change
from £500 for both of us.
So, I got another email from SRPS at Bo'ness. They have a train going to
Inverness. Full dining in a second class coach, £200. Email them about
the catering, yes, the menu and service is just the same as in First
Class, just £50 cheaper. OK, booked, class 37 haulage there and back,
around 500 mile round trip, fed and watered for £400 for the pair of us.
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their trains
are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see us
using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as they
say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt bad
value on its own.

It’s not just Jeremy who’s been putting his prices up, though he seems to
be raising them faster. His companies do offer higher quality, and he
spends a lot on upgrading his rolling stock (it’s much better than WCR’s).
I think Jeremy’s prices include a half bottle of wine?

RTC’s typical daily rate is now £325 in premier dining (nearly always
steam-hauled for at least part of the journey), and that doesn’t include
booze, apart from a welcome fizz. Kelly has done a good job keeping prices
under control, and they’re a nice company to deal with.

https://www.railwaytouring.net/uk-2025

But the real luxury trains are seriously expensive. Smithy now charges £455
to £645 on his Northern Belle (Mk 2 carriages with marquetry), and
Belmond’s rather better British Pullman (authentic, unique 1920s carriages)
is in a similar price range. Despite the price, I do recommend the Pullman,
as it’s a very special experience.

https://www.belmond.com/trains/europe/uk/belmond-british-pullman/

[ColinR]

Post by Recliner

Post by Alan Lee
Every year for the past 7 years or so we've gone on a one day railtour
trip. It started with a standard class ticket to Edinburgh with
Statesman at £89 in 2018 iirc. Then we went full on dining option, once
a year, started at £200 from Leicester to Holyhead, diesel to Crewe,
steam from Crewe. Lovely day out, food and service were excellent. I
think we missed 2020 due to covid, so the next was Whitby, again, full
dining at £250 per person.
2022 was Weymouth at £275.
Getting a bit expensive now.
23 and 24 were Carlisle to Oban on the Midland Pullman, same company and
Staff as Statesman, but under a different name.2023 was £300 per person,
last year it was £350 per person.
Now, £700 for a day out is pretty serious money for me, but, it only
happens once a year, the food and service are excellent, so we've done it.
And a few weeks ago, I get the email advertising their tours for 2025, I
said shall we go to Oban again, yes, so I look it up. £425 each.
Fuck that. It's a great experience, but, I could get a service train
there, eat in the best restaurant, stay the night, and still have change
from £500 for both of us.
So, I got another email from SRPS at Bo'ness. They have a train going to
Inverness. Full dining in a second class coach, £200. Email them about
the catering, yes, the menu and service is just the same as in First
Class, just £50 cheaper. OK, booked, class 37 haulage there and back,
around 500 mile round trip, fed and watered for £400 for the pair of us.
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their trains
are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see us
using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as they
say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt bad
value on its own.

It’s not just Jeremy who’s been putting his prices up, though he seems to
be raising them faster. His companies do offer higher quality, and he
spends a lot on upgrading his rolling stock (it’s much better than WCR’s).
I think Jeremy’s prices include a half bottle of wine?
RTC’s typical daily rate is now £325 in premier dining (nearly always
steam-hauled for at least part of the journey), and that doesn’t include
booze, apart from a welcome fizz. Kelly has done a good job keeping prices
under control, and they’re a nice company to deal with.
https://www.railwaytouring.net/uk-2025
But the real luxury trains are seriously expensive. Smithy now charges £455
to £645 on his Northern Belle (Mk 2 carriages with marquetry), and
Belmond’s rather better British Pullman (authentic, unique 1920s carriages)
is in a similar price range. Despite the price, I do recommend the Pullman,
as it’s a very special experience.
https://www.belmond.com/trains/europe/uk/belmond-british-pullman/

A factor not mentioned is that, for the steam / part steam hauled tours,
the cost and availability of suitable coal is becoming astronomical.

[Recliner]

Post by ColinR

Post by Recliner

Post by Alan Lee
Every year for the past 7 years or so we've gone on a one day railtour
trip. It started with a standard class ticket to Edinburgh with
Statesman at £89 in 2018 iirc. Then we went full on dining option, once
a year, started at £200 from Leicester to Holyhead, diesel to Crewe,
steam from Crewe. Lovely day out, food and service were excellent. I
think we missed 2020 due to covid, so the next was Whitby, again, full
dining at £250 per person.
2022 was Weymouth at £275.
Getting a bit expensive now.
23 and 24 were Carlisle to Oban on the Midland Pullman, same company and
Staff as Statesman, but under a different name.2023 was £300 per person,
last year it was £350 per person.
Now, £700 for a day out is pretty serious money for me, but, it only
happens once a year, the food and service are excellent, so we've done it.
And a few weeks ago, I get the email advertising their tours for 2025, I
said shall we go to Oban again, yes, so I look it up. £425 each.
Fuck that. It's a great experience, but, I could get a service train
there, eat in the best restaurant, stay the night, and still have change
from £500 for both of us.
So, I got another email from SRPS at Bo'ness. They have a train going to
Inverness. Full dining in a second class coach, £200. Email them about
the catering, yes, the menu and service is just the same as in First
Class, just £50 cheaper. OK, booked, class 37 haulage there and back,
around 500 mile round trip, fed and watered for £400 for the pair of us.
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their trains
are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see us
using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as they
say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt bad
value on its own.

It’s not just Jeremy who’s been putting his prices up, though he seems to
be raising them faster. His companies do offer higher quality, and he
spends a lot on upgrading his rolling stock (it’s much better than WCR’s).
I think Jeremy’s prices include a half bottle of wine?
RTC’s typical daily rate is now £325 in premier dining (nearly always
steam-hauled for at least part of the journey), and that doesn’t include
booze, apart from a welcome fizz. Kelly has done a good job keeping prices
under control, and they’re a nice company to deal with.
https://www.railwaytouring.net/uk-2025
But the real luxury trains are seriously expensive. Smithy now charges £455
to £645 on his Northern Belle (Mk 2 carriages with marquetry), and
Belmond’s rather better British Pullman (authentic, unique 1920s carriages)
is in a similar price range. Despite the price, I do recommend the Pullman,
as it’s a very special experience.
https://www.belmond.com/trains/europe/uk/belmond-british-pullman/

A factor not mentioned is that, for the steam / part steam hauled tours,
the cost and availability of suitable coal is becoming astronomical.

I’ve heard that about heritage lines, but not main line steam tours. They
have a different problem — the shortage of vacuum-braked main line
certified carriages. Most of RTC’s Mk 1s are apparently now running on
heritage lines.

[Roland Perry]

Post by Alan Lee
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their
trains are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see
us using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as
they say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt
bad value on its own.

I go on about one railtour a year, and have for the past ten years. I
agree that price are rising, but they seem to sell out very early. It's
just a supply and demand thing.

[Recliner]

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Alan Lee
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their
trains are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see
us using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as
they say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt
bad value on its own.

I go on about one railtour a year, and have for the past ten years. I
agree that price are rising, but they seem to sell out very early. It's
just a supply and demand thing.

The few from under-served markets like yours may sell out early, but the
much larger number from busier markets often don’t.

[Tweed]

Post by Recliner

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Alan Lee
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their
trains are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see
us using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as
they say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt
bad value on its own.

I go on about one railtour a year, and have for the past ten years. I
agree that price are rising, but they seem to sell out very early. It's
just a supply and demand thing.

The few from under-served markets like yours may sell out early, but the
much larger number from busier markets often don’t.

The Pullman dining options always seem to be sold out in my experience.
Ignoring the tours round obscure bits of freight track, which don’t really
interest me, what I’m finding is the tours keep going to the same old
places. I don’t really ever want to go to Carlisle again and most
definitely not to Holyhead ever ever again.

[Recliner]

Post by Tweed

Post by Recliner

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Alan Lee
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their
trains are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see
us using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as
they say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt
bad value on its own.

I go on about one railtour a year, and have for the past ten years. I
agree that price are rising, but they seem to sell out very early. It's
just a supply and demand thing.

The few from under-served markets like yours may sell out early, but the
much larger number from busier markets often don’t.

The Pullman dining options always seem to be sold out in my experience.
Ignoring the tours round obscure bits of freight track, which don’t really
interest me, what I’m finding is the tours keep going to the same old
places. I don’t really ever want to go to Carlisle again and most
definitely not to Holyhead ever ever again.

I think there are certain routes that suit rail tours, with capacity,
suitable stations and attractive scenery. Steam tours are more restricted
by the need to run chimney first on NR main lines, so they need a circular
route, or one with turning facilities (Carlisle being one such location,
along with York, Scarborough, Exeter, Lincoln, Newcastle, Bishops Lydeard,
etc).

[Ulf_Kutzner]

Post by Recliner

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Alan Lee
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their
trains are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see
us using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as
they say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt
bad value on its own.

I go on about one railtour a year, and have for the past ten years. I
agree that price are rising, but they seem to sell out very early. It's
just a supply and demand thing.

The few from under-served markets like yours may sell out early, but the
much larger number from busier markets often don’t.

Otherwise they could add dates during the year.

Regards, ULF

[Recliner]

Post by Ulf_Kutzner

Post by Recliner

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Alan Lee
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their
trains are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see
us using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as
they say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt
bad value on its own.

I go on about one railtour a year, and have for the past ten years. I
agree that price are rising, but they seem to sell out very early. It's
just a supply and demand thing.

The few from under-served markets like yours may sell out early, but the
much larger number from busier markets often don’t.

Otherwise they could add dates during the year.

Tours need to be planned months ahead.

[Ulf_Kutzner]

Post by Recliner

Post by Ulf_Kutzner

Post by Recliner

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Alan Lee
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their
trains are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see
us using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as
they say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt
bad value on its own.

I go on about one railtour a year, and have for the past ten years. I
agree that price are rising, but they seem to sell out very early. It's
just a supply and demand thing.

The few from under-served markets like yours may sell out early, but the
much larger number from busier markets often don’t.

Otherwise they could add dates during the year.

Tours need to be planned months ahead.

Agree but when the original one is sold out very early as written
here...

Regards, ULF

[Roland Perry]

Post by Recliner

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Alan Lee
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their
trains are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see
us using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as
they say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt
bad value on its own.

I go on about one railtour a year, and have for the past ten years. I
agree that price are rising, but they seem to sell out very early. It's
just a supply and demand thing.

The few from under-served markets like yours may sell out early, but the
much larger number from busier markets often don’t.

Explain why tours from Kings Cross to the north (which I'd typically
join at Peterborough) is an "under-served market".

[Ulf_Kutzner]

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Recliner

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Alan Lee
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their
trains are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see
us using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as
they say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt
bad value on its own.

I go on about one railtour a year, and have for the past ten years. I
agree that price are rising, but they seem to sell out very early. It's
just a supply and demand thing.

The few from under-served markets like yours may sell out early, but the
much larger number from busier markets often don’t.

Explain why tours from Kings Cross to the north (which I'd typically
join at Peterborough) is an "under-served market".

BTW, multiplying the number of events could also be
described as inflation...

[Recliner]

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Recliner

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Alan Lee
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their
trains are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see
us using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as
they say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt
bad value on its own.

I go on about one railtour a year, and have for the past ten years. I
agree that price are rising, but they seem to sell out very early. It's
just a supply and demand thing.

The few from under-served markets like yours may sell out early, but the
much larger number from busier markets often don’t.

Explain why tours from Kings Cross to the north (which I'd typically
join at Peterborough) is an "under-served market".

It’s not, and such tours often don’t sell out. It’s the ones that pick up
in Ely that are rare.

[Tweed]

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Alan Lee
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their
trains are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see
us using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as
they say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt
bad value on its own.

I go on about one railtour a year, and have for the past ten years. I
agree that price are rising, but they seem to sell out very early. It's
just a supply and demand thing.

Probably a rising number of older people with money to spend.

[Roland Perry]

Post by Tweed

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Alan Lee
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their
trains are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see
us using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as
they say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt
bad value on its own.

I go on about one railtour a year, and have for the past ten years. I
agree that price are rising, but they seem to sell out very early. It's
just a supply and demand thing.

Probably a rising number of older people with money to spend.

It's certainly true that with the exception of a few comedy
trainspotters, the majority of passengers seem to have an average
age of about 70yrs.

[Recliner]

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Tweed

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Alan Lee
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their
trains are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see
us using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as
they say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt
bad value on its own.

I go on about one railtour a year, and have for the past ten years. I
agree that price are rising, but they seem to sell out very early. It's
just a supply and demand thing.

Probably a rising number of older people with money to spend.

It's certainly true that with the exception of a few comedy
trainspotters, the majority of passengers seem to have an average
age of about 70yrs.

The enthusiasts travel in Standard, and go for tours covering rare track or
with unusual traction. So, perhaps a freight locomotive that has never
previously hauled a passenger train, travelling to an unusual passenger
train destination, such as docks, or your local Potters yard.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720311102734/

[Ulf_Kutzner]

Post by Recliner

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Tweed

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Alan Lee
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their
trains are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see
us using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as
they say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt
bad value on its own.

I go on about one railtour a year, and have for the past ten years. I
agree that price are rising, but they seem to sell out very early. It's
just a supply and demand thing.

Probably a rising number of older people with money to spend.

It's certainly true that with the exception of a few comedy
trainspotters, the majority of passengers seem to have an average
age of about 70yrs.

The enthusiasts travel in Standard, and go for tours covering rare track or
with unusual traction. So, perhaps a freight locomotive that has never
previously hauled a passenger train,

Doesn't meet many definitions for 'historic' but
many passengers will be fine with that. So, use
a single class 59 or similar...

[Recliner]

Post by Ulf_Kutzner

Post by Recliner

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Tweed

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Alan Lee
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their
trains are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see
us using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as
they say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt
bad value on its own.

I go on about one railtour a year, and have for the past ten years. I
agree that price are rising, but they seem to sell out very early. It's
just a supply and demand thing.

Probably a rising number of older people with money to spend.

It's certainly true that with the exception of a few comedy
trainspotters, the majority of passengers seem to have an average
age of about 70yrs.

The enthusiasts travel in Standard, and go for tours covering rare track or
with unusual traction. So, perhaps a freight locomotive that has never
previously hauled a passenger train,

Doesn't meet many definitions for 'historic' but
many passengers will be fine with that. So, use
a single class 59 or similar...

Along the right lines, but not quite enough. It needs something more like
this:

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2024/04/may-rail-tours-have-a-star-wars-theme.html

[Bevan Price]

Post by Recliner

Post by Ulf_Kutzner

Post by Recliner

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Tweed

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Alan Lee
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their
trains are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see
us using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as
they say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt
bad value on its own.

I go on about one railtour a year, and have for the past ten years. I
agree that price are rising, but they seem to sell out very early. It's
just a supply and demand thing.

Probably a rising number of older people with money to spend.

It's certainly true that with the exception of a few comedy
trainspotters, the majority of passengers seem to have an average
age of about 70yrs.

The enthusiasts travel in Standard, and go for tours covering rare track or
with unusual traction. So, perhaps a freight locomotive that has never
previously hauled a passenger train,

Doesn't meet many definitions for 'historic' but
many passengers will be fine with that. So, use
a single class 59 or similar...

Along the right lines, but not quite enough. It needs something more like
https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2024/04/may-rail-tours-have-a-star-wars-theme.html

I used to enjoy some of that type of tour, but I have given up doing
them. Apart from cost, they were becoming too much like hard work -
starting at some unearthly hour in the morning, finishing in late
evening, and often requiring a long drive to/from the starting/finishing
station.

[Recliner]

Post by Bevan Price

Post by Recliner

Post by Ulf_Kutzner

Post by Recliner

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Tweed

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Alan Lee
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their
trains are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see
us using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as
they say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt
bad value on its own.

I go on about one railtour a year, and have for the past ten years. I
agree that price are rising, but they seem to sell out very early. It's
just a supply and demand thing.

Probably a rising number of older people with money to spend.

It's certainly true that with the exception of a few comedy
trainspotters, the majority of passengers seem to have an average
age of about 70yrs.

The enthusiasts travel in Standard, and go for tours covering rare track or
with unusual traction. So, perhaps a freight locomotive that has never
previously hauled a passenger train,

Doesn't meet many definitions for 'historic' but
many passengers will be fine with that. So, use
a single class 59 or similar...

Along the right lines, but not quite enough. It needs something more like
https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2024/04/may-rail-tours-have-a-star-wars-theme.html

I used to enjoy some of that type of tour, but I have given up doing
them. Apart from cost, they were becoming too much like hard work -
starting at some unearthly hour in the morning, finishing in late
evening, and often requiring a long drive to/from the starting/finishing
station.

They still seem to attract a particular breed of enthusiast, typically younger ones.

Conversely, UK Railtours say that the 'nice day out to a stately home' type dining tours aren't as popular as they used
to be. That's aimed at older people, and fewer of them are travelling (or even alive?) post-Covid.

[Roland Perry]

Post by Recliner

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Tweed

Post by Roland Perry

Post by Alan Lee
I cant see how Statesman can justify their prices, but, it seems they
have been on TV, so have had a lot of free advertising, and their
trains are well thought of, so people will pay that premium. I cant see
us using them again, and just hoping the SRPS offering is as good as
they say. Even so, £200 for a day trip to Inverness from Carlisle isnt
bad value on its own.

I go on about one railtour a year, and have for the past ten years. I
agree that price are rising, but they seem to sell out very early. It's
just a supply and demand thing.

Probably a rising number of older people with money to spend.

It's certainly true that with the exception of a few comedy
trainspotters, the majority of passengers seem to have an average
age of about 70yrs.

The enthusiasts travel in Standard,

They used to, but changes in the stock used means that tours I've been
on more recently have very little standard accommodation. Both the last
two had "trainspotters" in First Class (I don't travel 'Fine Dining'
because I don't regard it as good value).

Post by Recliner
and go for tours covering rare track or
with unusual traction. So, perhaps a freight locomotive that has never
previously hauled a passenger train, travelling to an unusual passenger
train destination, such as docks, or your local Potters yard.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72177720311102734/

Usually known as "Papworth Sidings".