Main Line Steam - Possible ramifications of the WCRC suspension

Maybe we need a spin-off from the spin-off thread: The decline in sub-editing standards at The Daily Tottygraph!

Tom

 

i suppose that the unions would complain about rest days working ,as thats what would most likily happen, for instance, some preserved lines are passed for 60 mph running so as long as they pass the medical ,and hold a NR PTS, selected drivers could get experience of braking etc from speed , now many drivers on preserved railways that i knew were also drivers on the big railway, but that was in the days of NSE, so capable crews i dont think is a problem, TFL seem to do ok, and i think thats the way to go, where a TOC, operate a charter, providing the conductor and guard, the engine and stock are hired by the tour from a supplier who is on a list provided by the TOC,so their standards match their own, or as in Vintage trains case, they operate their own stock, i suppose that Steam dreams could have done the same if it had a tie in with LSL, and they had their own rake

 

Wrong. Twelve WCRC trains a week from Fort William to Mallaig is not "very occasional". By comparison Scotrail only run 27 trains a week on the Mallaig extension with possibly fewer seats.
Just as the Westminster establishment generally ignores what happens in the North of England so the Edinburgh establishment ignores what happens on the West Coast of Scotland & for the same reason - there are no votes in it. To say that " a Steam tour is not frequent enough, nor financially important enough to cause any significant issues to places they serve" demonstrates an ignorance of both geography and of the fragility of the economy in the West Highlands (and probably many other rural places outwith the prosperous south- east.) Get yourself up to Mallaig & see if you can find a space in any eating establishment 30 minutes after the Jacobite arrives - that will give you an idea how important it is to the local economy in a place with a population of less than 1000. Mind the midges though!

 

Off the rails
Future in doubt for West Coast steam trains 'run like private toy'

ByAdrian Quine

6:00AM BST 12 Apr 2015


The future of main line steam trains in Britain is in doubt as a leading charter train operator is on the verge of losing its licence over serious safety breeches.

The Office of Road and Rail (ORR) looks set to ban West Coast Railway Company from operating after one of its steam engines narrowly avoided a crash with a 100 mph high-speed train, in what is described as one of the most serious incidents on the railway this year.

As I posted earlier about the company my brother worked for up to retirement, incur the wrath of the ORR at your Peril. ORR and NR is like comparing a Rottweiler and a poodle!

 

Where to now for new builds? are they worth continuing?

 

Ok you know the facts, tell me how much in spent in Fort Willima or Mallaig by the passengers in all those trains. The very SHORT trains I hasten to add.

I didnt realise that jocks didn't only hate the english, wasn't aware they hated other jacks as well.

 

Usually the louder it is shouted the more speculative and uniformed it is.

 

They hate other jacks! Presumably they are ok with other jimys?

 

Why not? They should be fine running at 25 mph on a heritage railway. As I hope the Brighton Atlantic will be on the Bluebell when it is finished.

 

In that case, No - new builds are not worth while.

 

I feel you are grossly underestimating the actual revenue the Jacobite brings in to the local economy, especially Mallaig. I suspect, going by your 'The very short trains' comment, you haven't actually spent any time in the region to compare train lengths, seating capacity, actual filling capacity of the Jacobite's in comparison to ScotRail 156's?

How about a reality check and you listen to first hand experience?

http://www.northsound1.com/localnew...-to-jacobite-steam-train-operater-safety-ban/

 

How about you provide the information rather than trying to be clever and make personal comments? Thats news report is total rollicks. Millions? tosh.

 

I wonder if it's wearing the same uniform mentioned in #44 ?

 

And what counter evidence have you provided? You've already shown how little you know of the services, by the 'Short Trains' comment, and that you believe the services only run for 4 months of the year? Last I counted, second week of May to very end of October running season is 5 3/4 months.

I have provided you the information given by somebody running a business in Mallaig, and who is part of the local economy which is affected by the running (or non running) of the Jacobite. I fail to see how your opinion can thus be taken as more accurate than the people on the scene really.

And hey, leaf from your own book about personal comments... As a Scotsman born and raised, isn't 'I didnt realise that jocks didn't only hate the english, wasn't aware they hated other jacks as well' a personal attack?

 

Given that "Tornado" hasn't been run by WCRC, and there was no sign of any change for the P2 (given the 61306 issues), then I doubt the A1SLT foresee a change in their plans due to this (it may even improve things for them).

 

Ha, I was going to say, that piece originates from those very much "on the ground"

 

How long are the trains? Work out the payload, how much money would have to spent by each customer in this restaurant to make a million pounds a year, and ask your fellow jock about one side of Scotland not liking the other, not me, I didn't raise it.

 

I took mrKnowwun to be referring to the charters to various places (Bristol, Cardiff, Chester, Holyhead, Norwich, etc) that are indeed occasional. Carlisle, Weymouth and Stratford get them (or did, last year) more frequently but nowhere near daily, so the additional spend must be of minimal significance there. Mallaig is a special case: two steam trains a day to a tiny little place.

 

Assuming both morning (7 coaches) and afternoon (6 coaches) trains are full to capacity (which they often are), then it's about 690 people a day heading to Mallaig in the summer (368 on morning trip, 322 on afternoon). Plus as mentioned a lot of the passengers are on coach tours, and often only do one way trips, you could easily be talking 800-900 people a day, if not more, in Mallaig solely for the two steam trains. Well over 6000 people per week in the peak season. Even in October it's nearly 2000 people a week. You can see why the local businesses are worried.