WCRC Licence Suspended

The ORR does not have an agenda of "getting" a TOC, it has an agenda of ensuring that safe methods are utilised. It will only chuck WCRC off the network if it feels that they can not achieve that goal. Every other TOC manages that (convincing the ORR) , even when issues occur, so its not beyond the wit and wisdom of WCRC to achieve the same.

Regulatory matters to one side, any normal commercially minded company would look at the negative press and publicity, and take a future path of extreme safety mindedness and make a public play about doing so.

 

Unfortunately, it's that very "Track Record" - no pun intended - that's created this very sad situation. It is WCRC's track record that is rightly being questioned and judgement, I'm sure that we all hope, will ultimately be positive, not just for the continued use of steam on the main-line, but also for it's safe operation.

Cheers

Alan

 

I wish we could all wake up in the morning to the realisation that this crisis was just a terrible nightmare. Alas, we have to face up the reality and I think mike1522 has every right to be worried along with hundreds of people in the mainline steam industry. Surely the ORR MUST take this into account during their deliberations but I am not holding my breath.

 

"IF" it is, I can see WCRC wearing shackles for a very long probationary period......... one false move and, it good well be "goodnight West Coast........

At the end of the day non of us have a clue as to what NR or the ORR are doing, saying or thinking, other than what has been "published"......... nor do we know that West Coast are doing to dig themselves out of a ruddy big hole.......

So, I'm just going to sit tight, with fingers crossed and wait for an official statement from the relevant body, be it NR or the ORR.

 

Its pretty clear what orr is doing. Consulting on a proposed revocation of the wcrc licence. Reading between the lines unless the industry offers a compelling reason for orr to change its mind wcrc seem stuffed, for the medium term at least

 

Only to a point.

 

Fair comment. Taken at face value the reported consultation reads like orr is minded to proceed. Unless industry representations are persuasive otherwise

 

That is what I was intimating - we just don't know what is going on behind the scenes, so until there is an official statement from the ORR, and I can't see one until after the consultation period is up, or NR, then all we can do is sit & wait.

 

(Agony aunt voice)

Well "Worried of Fort Worth" the first thing I would suggest is you remove "Doing SCOT over Shap this coming June" from your signature,
and if you're of a religious persuasion then now might be a good time to get on your knees!

 

Quite so. There will be no response until the consultation has closed and the feedback assessed. How long after will no doubt depend on the volume of responses. Responses could be assessed as they are received too one supposes so that any decision can be made swiftly.

 

In all of this, I'm just trying to be rational, and not emotional.

If WCRC were to fall on its sword, I imagine the carrion are already circling to pick up the best bits dirt cheap, and that steam (and box) hauled tours will carry on in some shape or form, but probably not as we know it now, but more akin to how it was in the 80's............. , but at the moment that's just hypothetical........

 

You would be worried as well if you were in my shoes. I am traveling all the way from Texas to do a trip CME/London & the Lake District.

 

Worth noting that Carstairs was brake failure not driver error. Admitedly he didnt warm them up defore a steep decent and they froze off.

 

Hope this helps

 

I wasn't implying the causes of Carstairs were comparable, just that that was probably the most recent SPAD event of at least comparable seriousness to WB.

 

Yet despite the wake up call last year it was beyond their wit and wisdom to avoid the present crisis.

 

That sort of travel need something at the end of the rainbow Mike.

I am sure you know that the UK is packed with Heritage Railways packed with many classes of steam locos, (Big Al touched on it above). Maybe if you opened a new thread in the right section of Nat Pres with the dates you are here Nat Pres Members could make suggestions as to what is expected to happen on their local Heritage line during your stay here and give you any advice needed on getting to the lines.

Of course I hope you won't need that and that you will get a Scot over Shap. But Plan Bs can be very helpful at times.

 

NR and ORR backed into a corner? Sorry but it is WCR which is backed into a corner not the authorities. The sole purpose of this exercise is to make the railway safe. WCR can put their house in order or they fold. Whilst the latter may be devastating for main line steam it will not affect the running of a safe and efficient railway for the other TOCs.

Lets look at a road analogy. You have lots of penalty points and run a red light. You lose your licence. Devastating for you but just part of the authority's remit. The Magistrates court is not backed into a corner