Railway Touring Company www.railwaytouring.net

Im sharing my recent experience to warn potential travellers about The Railway Touring Company. Last October, my daughter and I excitedly planned a trip aboard the iconic Flying Scotsman. Unfortunately, our anticipation turned to disappointment when the train was involved in a collision shortly before our scheduled departure.

Due to the ongoing investigation into the crash, uncertainty loomed over whether the Flying Scotsman would run from the week commencing 2nd October. This uncertainty deeply affected my daughter, who suffers from PTSD. Recognising her distress, I promptly informed The Railway Touring Company of our need to cancel.

Despite our situation, The Railway Touring Company rigidly upheld their policy and refused any refund.

Appeals for understanding fell on deaf ears, leaving me, as pensioners, out of pocket by over £530. Even efforts by my Member of Parliament were unsuccessful.

Key Points to Note About The Railway Touring Company before you book.

1. They reserve the right to change the booked locomotive without providing refunds,

potentially depriving you of the experience you desired.

2. A switch to a diesel engine from a steam one may occur without any refund

offered.

3. Illness does not warrant a refund, regardless of the circumstances.

My advice:

Carefully review the terms and conditions before making any bookings.

If you're uncomfortable with the uncertainty and refund policy, consider visiting the National Railway Museum in York instead – a delightful alternative for train enthusiasts and it FREE. If your a train 'geek' its the place for you!

Don't overlook the risks associated with booking with The Railway Touring Company. Make an informed choice.

I invited a party of five to join me on the Swanage Belle on the 13th.,September, 2023. One of my guests was vegan. I accepted [as did she] that Gravy Train catering could not provide vegan dietry requirements. However, the catering staff were absolutely wonderful! They couldn't do enough to provide acceptable options and they were so concerned that she should not be left hungry. I can't thank both Gravy Train Catering and Railway Touring Company enough for the service I always receive from them both. The food is always quality and efficiently, politely served. I can thoroughly recommend Railway Touring Company to anyone looking for reliable service [bearing in mind we are talking vintage trains] and a wonderful experience. The level of communication is to be applauded. Congratulations to both organisations. Looking forwards to my next trip to York in November.

I organised this trip as a pre-80th Birthday present for my husband and we went on the 3rd August 2019. I can honestly say that we had the best day out ever! The food was superb and the staff couldn't have been more helpful and considerate. My only regret is that we were driven by Steam Train the full journey and had to resort to Diesel part journey. I just wish that you did more journeys starting from Stockport and/or Manchester as we would love to take more of these trips.

Just to say first.The staff on the Scarborough flyer on the 08.06.2019 well up to best standards.Helpful in every way possible, made our day. But The Train trip its self was disappointing to many stops and starts.I know the trains have to give way to scheduled trains.but better scheduling between train times would help. The trains always seem to stop in a gully. looking at weeds for hours not pleasing to the eye. Had better food on other outings but not to bad.

Me and my wife have just spent one of the best days out we have had for a long time. spent on the midday scot ( Duchess of Sutherland )to Edinburgh the most helpful staff I have come across in a long time.The food was wonderful.bit of a problem with the heating but we were warned to rap up so no problem. The staff made every person feel it was their special day.

We have spent well over five thousand pounds with this bunch of charlatans on two trips six years apart.

On both occasions there were problems which good planning entirely within the company's capacity and experience of previous operations could have anticipated and avoided. They didn't and as a result the experience was substantially diminished and under delivery, poor food, late (up to nine hours) running was the end result.

Contact with the company resulted in no response and in fact when I have encountered the M D he has actually run away from me rather than engage in discussion.

My inevitable recommendation is not to book with a company that conducts its affairs in this manner unless you are happy to get something substantially different and often much less in quality and amenity than you expected. Don't believe pages the company can edit. Their Farcebook page would have you believe they get 90% approvals - in your dreams!

You have been warned.

This Company operates day trips in the UK using steam locomotives. They are relatively expensive but are quite long and provide the opportunity to travel long distances hauled by steam locomotives.

I booked and paid for two places on a trip from York to London and return advertised as hauled by steam in both directions.

When the final booking confirmation was received, we were advised that the timings had been changed to accomodate normal train operations. This possibility was indicated in the website literature for the trip. However we were also advised that the return journey would be hauled by a diesel locomotive.

The results of the changes to timings AND the locomotive was a real disappointment, which would lead to our day being very different to that anticipated. I therefore requested a refund of payments made.

I was advised and understood that the time changes were beyond the Company's control. I was further advised that it was always intended that diesel haulage should be used for the return journey, and that it had benn advertised incorrectly.

In view of all the circumstances and my request, the Company immediately agreed to a refund, and the sums involved were returned to my bank account within 48 hours.

I believe that the Company's approach is refreshingly honest and worthy of thanks which I subsequently expressed. Some other organisations could learn from this in how to treat customers fairly.