The Railway Touring Company Reviews 

Had a great time on board the railway 200 special train trip, fantastic staff and great company with other train enthusiasts, long day from 6.00 am to 11.45 pm but was well worth it in the end, seiing all the great trains at shildon.

A brilliant and memorable day out on the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Many thanks to the Railway Touring Company for making it possible

My wife and I, in our very late seventies, went on the Railway 200 Special from Carnforth to County Durham. We had first class seats which were very comfortable and the excellent staff worked tirelessly to keep our table tidy and supplied with food and drink. Because of scheduling problems beyond the control of the Company, the total length of the trip was two hours greater than originally advertised and we found a journey of almost 18 hours too long at our age. So any future trips will be shorter. But that is no criticism of a well run company that works hard to look after its customers.

Good organisation, fantastic scenery, excellent trips, knowledgeable guide and friendly tour manager.

My husband booked the Royal Duchy Steam Journey as a surprise for me as it it was a Bucket List wish of mine to take a steam train journey.
They first emailed in August 4 dsys before to say they had to switch steam engines then 2 days before the trip they emailed to say the engine was broken and couldn't be fixed so the trip would be led by a diesel engine. This is not what was booked or wanted we called up to e stonewalled with The Ts & Cs wall. They said sorry but no refund as journey still going ahead. Not understanding the reason of the booking and my daily failing health. Eventually we were offered a move to September 28th where we had to battle for what we paid for as was only offered 1st class and a refund on the premium extra we paid for...we argued this was not like for like as they kept saying. Eventually we were given the seats held incase of 'emergencies?' LOL.
We had to spend the weekend in a rainy Bristol as no refund on hotel as change was too late. Now we have had an email repeating the saga of August. Spoke to a manager today who stood firmly behind the Ts & Cs wall. We can transfer to a different route or they can hold our £790 over for 6 months incase I can travel i am dying and getting sicker by.the day.
What an awful unempathetic company. Their Ts & Cs are poor and they know this. Many other maybe smaller steam trains seem to run daily why can't theirs. They need to stop falsely advertising their wares.
Disappointed beyond belief . Never recommending unless you get your magnifying glass to read Ts & C's.

OLEASE READ THIS UPDATE
I stand by my review of the company and how we were treated but a year on we have now taken said trip and will review this part.
Well treatment could not have been sfar from the office treatment by the staff on the ground. Fabulous
From the very beginning at Bristol Temple Meads we were all treated so warmly and so well.
We boarded the train and were seated in First Class as we paid for the Premium Experience...honestly do this it was so worth the money.
We were seated in a 2 berth by the window which gave us the best views there and back.
We had a 4 course silver service breakfast on the way down which was served deftly and hot. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff all smiles and queries to iur well being.
I don't eat pork but didn't want to make a fuss so just asked fir Toast...they enquired why I was not eating the full breakfast on offer and upin knowing my preference provided ma with scrambled eggs mushroom and beans. Amazing!
Same on the way back 4 course silver service the main was Roasted Pork...they provided me with a chicken dish...which wax vwry nice despite the information sent before hand saying no alternatives would be offered.
The was a Raffle for which I was happy to see you needed real cash to partake and the prizes were decent.
You were kept informed of stoppages where you could stretch your legs, we also g8ven information on points of interest on the outward journey.
You could alight at Plymouth but we stayed to end of service to Oar in Cornwall where you could choose to visit Fowey or Charlestwon Bays.We chose Charlestown where Poldark was filmed...a very nice place to spend a couple of hours.
The staff made sure those like me requiring some assistance at the station for our return journey were given extra time
It was a lovely day and we'd recommend it to anyone who has ever wanted to travel on a steam train...the smell of the smoke I'll remember for quite sometime.

I booked the Cumbrian Coastal railway tour for my husbands 60th at the beginning of August. A couple of weeks later they emailed to say that unfortunately due to works on the line they had to make it a Mountain trip instead. I accepted this after a bit of a moan as obviously these things are subject to change from time to time. The trip was booked for 20th September and at around 4pm on the 19th September (with around 12 hours to go before heading out for the trip) they emailed to change it again. This time apparently no steam engine available so they were supplying a diesel. If I wanted a diesel tour I would have driven there in my car. I quickly called the company and spoke to the only person in the office (apparently) a young lad. I asked if I could move the date of the trip and was told NO so I asked can I have a refund then? I was told NO. The young lad told me that he could not authorise either. So I asked to speak to someone who could. I was told that person had conveniently left at 3pm. Absolutely fuming at this point. I hung up and called my credit card company who told me that The Railway Touring Co had everything sewn up tight in their terms and conditions so that no one had any redress should any booking require any changes at any time. After discussing with my very disappointed husband we decided not to attend the trip at all. We did not want to associate with people who treated customers in this manner, I thought that their appalling customer service would most likely be reflected in the staff employed on their trains too. I offer grateful thanks that I didnt book the very expensive option but it still cost me £230 that I can ill afford. I wish I had seen these reviews before I booked as I definitely would not have entrusted my husbands birthday present to them. Would categorically recommend no one use them unless you are willing to be disappointed and get offered a trip you didnt book and didnt want. EDITED to add I left this review in September2025 and the company has just deigned to reply 6 months later. Tells you everything you need to know! I still dont recommend them and I still would never use them. I highly recommend you avoid this company, check out others as there are plenty and make sure YOU READ REVIEWS!

A complete shambles without any customer service at all.
We booked a 'Steam' train. This was cancelled two days before the trip with the Railway company saying the steam train had broken down. Phoned to request a refund or some form of compensation but met with complete indifference.

I can’t possibly award more than one star as the trip simply didn’t happen. I paid the best part of £400 at the beginning of the year for a fully catered trip to Weymouth. Then the trip was cancelled with about 1 week’s notice due to non availability of a suitable loco, which I found strange as they claim to have about 12. The trip was rescheduled to September and then cancelled again. I got my money back, in full, with no problems, but I would rather have had my trip. I can’t see me booking another trip with this company, there are several others.

I had a wonderful 6 night holiday with this company. The tour was ‘Coc o’ the North and our tour manager, Andy, couldn’t do enough for us.
Everything was so well organised and I really enjoyed all the train rides. As a solo traveller I was a little apprehensive, but I needn’t have been. Now looking for my next holiday 😊

The Cumbrian Mountain Express 23/08/2025. Catering vg indeed, quality food and prompt friendly service. This was a forced route change from the Cumbrian coast route which is no longer available due to tunnel probs. Downside was the seat comfort, these need urgent reupholster due to their age, defo not comfy for almost 12 hrs, Some of the public areas esp the door vestibules need cleaning,v dusty Recommended but take a cushion maybe.

Bought this for a special birthday and anniversary. The Royal Dutchy. We paid for First Class for my son and daughter-in-law. The steam train broke down at Plymouth so diesel powered engine had to be used. Whilst this was disappointing it demonstrated the issues and problems with using steam trains on a standard rail line and the time constraints. Whilst they enjoyed the scenery, they said first class cabin was clean. What I was very disappointed with was the food. They sent me some pictures and the breakfast bap looked like it had nothing in it and I was very disappointed with the afternoon tea. This was prepacked crackers, cheese a small pork pie and a scone type thing. This was not the afternoon tea I expected them to be served ie, petite sandwiches and fancy cakes. Staff were not attentive but made a fuss of the elder persons on the train. Son and daughter in law are 40. This trip cost £588 and I do feel we could have given them something more memorable for their special occasion at this cost.

Save your hard earned money and spend it elsewhere, constantly postponed or cancelled trains with no responsibility taken by this company . The worst it's ever been.

From start to finish we were all extremely disappointed, the greeting was not very nice, we were premier class which cost us £325 per person, we were a party of four whom had booked for a special occasion, for that money we could have gone to the Ritz in London for champagne afternoon tea and Dinner!, the seats were very uncomfortable and the toilets were dirty and there was water dripping on your head.
Then they bought out the breakfast with Buck’s Fizz, well that was a laugh, the glasses were tiny, they put about half an inch of cheap cava in the glass and then some very ordinary orange juice, it tasted very cheap! The full English breakfast looked like a school dinner, nothing special at all, we were offered tea or coffee but the coffee just tasted like a cheap instant.
After which we were not offered anything else to drink until 40 mins before we eventually reached Weymouth which was over an hour later than we should have arrived.
On the way back was a joke, the steam train was broken and we all had to get off at Staines or Clapham Junction which meant we all had to get a cab home from Staines
Such a disappointing and wasted day, I think we should be offered our money back!

Me and my girlfriend experienced on Saturday March 29th was probably the worse trip encounter we've ever come across and I'm blown away trying to understand what we've actually paid for.
I feel misinformed and completely mis-sold the whole ambiance, I'm Sorry to say.

Firstly, the pricing charged for a rundown dirty unpleasant none standard holding coach is mind blowing we came away extremely tired, disappointed, dirty, unsatisfied, I'll, frustrated, very none value for money.
I'm actually glad we didn't pay for first class coaches because from what I could see apart from members of staff being dressed more professionally and flower deco on tables it didn't look any better (those should be classed as standard seating and first class above that)

We packed light food and drinks (thank God we had a little something as would have starved) as was completely unaware that only cash was accepted as payment from the food and beverage area. The staff were calling up and down coaches asking any bacon rolls, sandwiches, soup or drinks available... For me especially for the ticket pricing standard or not some of these items should be offered on a complimentary basis... If you've not got food, drink or cash ready what are you supposed to do.?
Secondly , I had to cope the whole trip there and back with food poisoning.
Multiple trips to the toilet coach bound or platform in horrific unhygienic conditions Preston bound could only offer portaloos.
Felt mislead with the coupling of the trains I was expecting a vintage train through the whole journey not a 1966 loco then replaced with steam towards the end of the trip, this really needs to be made clear otherwise I would have been happy with just a couple of hours trip via a proper steam train locomotive.
Not a 15-hour round trip seeing multiple beat-up platform views spending a rushed 90min runaround stop in Carlisle to then head back another 8 hours in a rundown beat up uncomfortably carriage back to Euston.
We almost paid extra expenses to discontinue the journey and join a fast train from Preston to Euston but unfortunately for us we missed the train so had to persevere wasting our time, unfortunately.

I feel this could have been managed much better perhaps more stop offs, longer breaks or less stops more time to enjoy final destination... Or just shorter steam train encounter experience.
Definitely the tired coaches are in immediate need of refurbishment I'm sure for £115 per ticket more can be done!
I contacted their team was expecting a common courtesy refund or at least being given the opportunity to attend another one of their experience perhaps lt, would of been different…
Unfortunately was just given a little to lame Boris apology, didn’t seem bothered.
Don’t waste your time or money.

The tour through the French and Italian Rivera was brilliant the bright sunshine just amplified the whole holiday. The hotel inGenoa was magnificent a couple of minutes from the station. The food was often highest quality as was the attentions of the hotel staff. The guide Psola was excellent giving local knowledge and experience. The visit to the Cinque Terre was a bit too long and if it had it have rained would have stretched everything. So two of the 5 villages would have been enough. The tour manager was excellent and patient.

Bought as birthday present
Trip well organised. Service aboard train was good.
Unfortunately coach was Mark 2 with sealed windows. I was looking forward to see steam going past window and hearing the locomotive.
Coach G very close to locomotive but there was no atmosphere you normally get from open windows of Mark1. You had no idea of how hard the engine was working and whistles. This is an integral part of the experience.
It might as well have been a type 47 at both ends all trip. Very disappointed

Went on the Edinburgh Xmas market steam trip yesterday from York with friends. A very long day but enjoyed it immensely. We opted for the premier dining and everything was perfect. Lovely food and friendly efficient staff. Nothing to fault. There are plenty of stops along the way to pick up other passengers and water stops for the engine. It was lovely taking the trip so close to Xmas. Highly recommended

We took the Christmas White Rose trip from Stevenage to York. November 16th 2024
We thoroughly enjoyed the journey, views and had great company.
However, if you are expecting a first class service and meals and attention to detail you will be disappointed, especially when you are paying £395 per person. Croissant poor standard, eggs were hard and no effort to change anything. It was not silver service. When I asked for a different roll I was told " take his" it was almost like fawlty towers. As we were on the train for over 4 hours we would have expected water to be included, yet we had to pay extra. To be fair apart from some of the grumpy waiters there was a waitress who tried her best. This should not have been the exception.

Beautifully decorated train, amazing staff, great food and company. We were kept informed the whole time. Lots of surprises. Just the best birthday ever. Thank you

First class travel on the Stratford Flyer on Saturday, September 7th should have been a wonderful celebration of two Golden Wedding anniversaries. However, from the first chipped and cracked cup and luke warm contents to the plastic wrapped food choices this outing became a nightmare. The buffet car, where we may have found alternative choices was closed, although this was advertised as available in the brochure on the table. The buffet car choices offered in the brochure did sound more like an afternoon tea.
The staff were attentive and pleasant but the experience they were delivering was a woeful excuse for the hoped for memorable Golden wedding outing.
The experience did not seem to warrant the ticket price, as we did not feel we had “First Class” catering. I cannot help wondering how much plastic waste was generated in the train that day from all the plastic wrapped food.
I do not think that the four of us will ever want to travel with this company again.
Mrs Cheryl Osborne