The Railway Touring Company Reviews 

Tremendous day out travelling on the Railway 200 trip from
London to Stanhope and Newcastle. A very long day but everything went to plan and the train was warm and comfortable. Friendly stewards and staff and a fantastic experience all round.

As a ‘Grane Engineering Museum’ volunteer I am interested in anything relating to engineering and industrial heritage / archaeology etc so it doesn’t get much better than riding on a train being hauled by a steam engine, visiting arguably the most important place in the world in terms of railway history and its pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution ! To see so many amazing and important locomotives together was a “once in a lifetime” experience - Sans Pareil, Locomotion No. 1, the Advanced Passenger Train ( A.P.T. ), a High Speed Train ( Inter-City 125 H.S.T. ) and a highlight for me as a proud Lancastrian - the prototype DP1 English Electric DELTIC - all together in one building !!!!
It was a long day but one I will NEVER forget !! I will be recommending the Railway Touring Company’ to as many people as I can - I was given the recommendation by “Railway Keith” who is a volunteer at the East Lancs Railway. I am hoping to arrange trips to various places in the future and I hope to use the Railway Touring Company again. I would like to recommend the East Lancs Railway to everyone; maybe you could come to Grane Engineering Museum in Haslingden when you get off the train at Rawtenstall !!

A thoroughly enjoyable day out. The staff were amazing, being both professional and friendly. Stewards very visible throughout the journey, answering any questions or queries. Communication from the company was outstanding.

We were in carriage A. Our table had already been laid up for breakfast and then later on our return, for dinner. Silver service to the table. Food was piping hot, fresh and tasty. Plenty of tea and coffee available, plus alcoholic and soft drinks.
The carriage was exceptionally clean and well turned out. Plenty of room for a step back in time.
We got off at Plymouth and had 6 hours to explore the city.

Well planned itinerary, good guide, nice fellow passengers.

We had a lovely day. ALL the staff were friendly and helpful. It was good that we were fully informed throughout the day of when we would arrive and leave each station. We enjoyed the banter with Geoff in the Buffet Car who was very friendly. Another guy whose name I didn’t get was also very helpful, giving us information about the train and advising us of places we could visit in Plymouth. He also led us through the train and prepared us for when we were to leave the train at Yatton ensuring that we left safely. Thanks to everyone for a very enjoyable day

A great day out on an historic day. Very comfortable carriages considering the long time spent on board.
Excellent meals by Gravy Train Catering (Very hard working staff!)

I have been on several Railway Touring Company trips and I must say that I was disappointed that as this was such a special trip not more was made of the fact that it was the 200th Anniversary of The Railway ..There were no announcments as we went over Skerne Bridge or for that matter when we were actually on The Stockton / Darlington line ...no special souvenirs given out ..nothing to make this special occasion any different from one of your "run of the mill" tours ..I was disappointed !!

A lovely day out on this 200th anniversary of passenger rail. It was just a bit too long for us, but perhaps that can't be helped. We travelled on some interesting routes.
Perhaps a bit more information would have been useful, the intercom didn't work very well. It was an old train after all. It would have been nice to have spent a bit of time in some of the places we went through and there was only 1 stop were we got to see the engine.

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.