The Railway Touring Company Reviews 

We enjoyed a wonderful day again in Portsmouth and South Sea having a comfortable journey from Victoria and back.

The staff were both attentive and friendly.

Once boarded the train breakfast isn’t immediate and appears to be served only after the last pick up. On the return journey we very much enjoyed our dinner that was served almost straight away having returned to the train. Our only comments would be, having had a small lunch whilst visiting Southsea, our preference would’ve been to have dinner an hour later when served on the train. The wine selection is poor which resulted in us leaving the maturity of both the white and red chosen. I think we will take our own wine, subject terms and conditions, on our next trip. As a suggestion, given the length of the journey and noting the remoteness of some couples, I wonder if it be possible to have more on board events (even provided board games). The raffle was very popular and created a little excitement to what was otherwise a pleasant but quiet return journey.

A great day out and one I’m sure we will enjoy again.

You cannot beat having your train hoard by a beautiful steam engine.

Thank you.

Every second was an absolute delight. Could not recommend The Railway Touring Co highly enough.

Average day-trip to Scarborough on Coast to Coast. In 2nd "Standard" class, anodyne early 1980s diesel era passenger coaches, nothing very 'vintage' or atmospheric about them apart from the exterior paintwork - which makes for great marketing photos, but which isn't really relevant when you want to sit down in a bit of olde-worlde charm inside. And it's a tight squeeze at a full table of four, potentially awkward if you don't already know each other.
A lot of staff beavering away, generally a good thing, but some just a little over-conscientious in their stewarding duties. Given the insulated coaches, no opening windows, there was very little notion of being pulled by steam although there were various (static) opportunities to get close to the beast. As encouraged, we took a proper picnic; it was a shame to find a lot of people went for the beer option almost from the off, occasionally supplemented by cheap chain takeaway food, Stiff pricing, too, at £120 return given what's actually provided and the rather down-market and down-at-heel atmosphere.

It did what it said on the tin. It covered all the locations promised.
My only comment would be that booklet needs to be brought up to date to be in line with the current trip offering.

Punctual,the staff were friendly and helpful. A lovely atmosphere on the train.

Fabulous time. Helpful staff.
There was a bit of confusion at Manchester platform (4 or 3) announcement, but we all made it into the train on time. The ride was smooth and interesting. Our time in Scarborough nice. Change of locomotive in York took a while before we finally arrived back in Manchester. The only advice for the future, whoever is making announcements via loudspeaker, speak up, otherwise passengers can't hear.

First diesel hauled tour with them but the usual friendly and efficient service that you get on their steam tours. Comfortable seats, tour ran on time, what more do you need.

After joining the group at King's Cross on 26th May the tour's itinerary was well managed by David Fletcher to the extent that all I had to do was turn up at the appropriate time and the day's events would then unfold smoothly. Coach driver Steve from Ratho's Coaches in Edinburgh was a particular asset in that he took us skilfully down roads on the Shetlands that many would not want to negotiate in a car. One or two stops towards the end of the tour could have been better timed, but on the whole I enjoyed the whole experience.

We've just returned from a week's holiday with the Railway Touring Company 's" Springtime in Belgium and Luxembourg" trip.
It's only the second time we've travelled on one of these tours but already the hallmarks of an excellently planned and delivered adventure were evident.
Our tour guides were excellent: knowledgeable and both French speakers, but more importantly, who took a lot of care with the group, particularly those more elderly or who had disabilities.
We appreciated that each day's activities did not feel rushed, so we had the opportunity to "soak up" the experience properly. The hotels we stayed in and the food that they provided were generally excellent. Travel arrangements worked well - it's always a joy to travel upstairs on the double-decker trains that the continent is blessed with!
Can't wait for the next trip!

Train was delayed from the start, seating was cramped, hot and uncomfortable, also difficult to slide into seat and get out.

Another great day out withe The Railway Touring Company. This is our 4th trip in the last 15 months and they get better and better.

A good introduction to Southern Ireland, but the long coach journeys from/to hotels and between sites were unfortunate despite two good drivers and a well informed guide. Hotels comfortable. I know it is difficult in Ireland but more train and less coach would have been more satisfactory. Bonus points for two hotels who read our request and provided sheet and blanket instead of duvets.

The onboard team were great, good service, great food, we were kept up to date with delays, what we could do when and had a great day. The locomotive crew did a brilliant job in the heat. Would recommend this to anyone for a special day out

Excellent trip with excellent food. Kitchen staff worked very hard. We both had a very enjoyable day.

It was my first Steam trip on the Swanage Belle with the Railway Touring company. I had booked my tickets form Woking . I received my tickets through my inbox too. The train arrived on time at Woking and the journey was lovely . When I got to my seat and sat down in Standard class . I felt uncomfortable . The booking was easy to do and the staff were polite and helped me alot .One Steward came upto me and asked if I was ok . Then he went to his manager and asked if there were any seats left in First Class . So he did his best and said it was fully booked . The whole trip was good and certainly will use The railway Touring company again.

Hot with no way of adjusting the temperature, unadjustable seats in First Class (despite being manufactured as such - not heritage at all, just static) and to cap it all the steam engine failed on the return requiring the back-up diesel to push.

Another fantastic tour. Very much looking forward to the next trip.

Excellent organisation, friendly staff on board the train, and a really well-produced booklet describing the journey and what to look out for along the way

We enjoyed going on The Buxton Spa Express. It was an interesting itinerary with an attractive destination.
The meals were great and the catering staff attentive and pleasant. The stewards were also helpful.
But there was one awful omission, no chance whatsoever to actually see the engine, a Black 5. Yes there were operational difficulties with short platforms at Buxton but there was plenty of time there for the engine to draw on to another platform for us to actually look at it. Instead it went off to a siding.

A lovely trip to Buxton hauled from Leicester to Buxton and return by Black 5 no. 44871. The engine performed faultlessly and the staff as always were attentive and friendly. However the day was rather spoiled by signal hold ups at Buxton that gave us a mere hour in Buxton , not long enough to fulfill the point of the trip.
The brief stopover was again compounded by the engine getting stuck in the siding where it was being serviced due to a point failure leaving us all waiting in the station .
This was not RTC’s fault of course but due to these infrastructure failings, the day was rather spoiled.
This is the reason for the loss of a star in the review.