The Great Britain VIII

Only one forum member can say for sure .....

 

The train arrived at Temple Meads with a diesel pilot, ahead of Britannia. Eventually it was removed and 70000 headed off to Barton Hill.

 

uksteaminfo recently updated showing diesel haulage on Friday and Saturday with drs? as the operator.

 

Go on. Name your source!

 

Yes, I agree with most of what you say here and I too (along with many others I suspect) raised an eyebrow when I read what Smith had to say about the matter in Steam Railway, particularly the bit about the ORR involvement. To me though, Harris seems to be sticking the knife in (so to speak) and to kick a man when he's down is not the done thing in my book.

 

All fine and dandy, so how do you suggest those running steam tours use this information to prevent the events of today, and let's face it, many other days ?

 

Hang on, we're talking about a multi millionaire here, hardly a man that is "down". His organisation have been found wanting not just in this incident, but previously as well. As a Journalist with an interest in the railway's reputation as a whole, giving a failing part of it a good old kick up the backside seems wholly appropriate to me !

What do others think ?

 

Sympathy seems in short supply because of the utterly avoidable and self inflicted nature of the present situation which has put at risk the endeavours of so many others, many in a voluntary capacity.

 

As mentioned way back plan B by RTC/WCRC was to operate the train from Carnforth northwards was by sub contracting this to DRS, and this looks like being the case, but one hopes not - unless WRCR has provided Scots Guardsman and hired the train crew to DRS as temporary agency staff.
I understand some of the train crews are on zero hours type contracts, so in effect are available for hire, subject to meeting the other TOCs quality and certification systems.
I am guessing that a many of the passengers will still enjoy the scenic tour around the UK, albeit without steam. Having travelled on charters and observed the passengers, a lot seem happy just to be on an adventure - as has been commented earlier on by another poster.
Because hotels have been provided then it would be extremely unlikely that RTC would cancel it, and just detrain the pax at Carnforth as suggested earlier.
At a guess when the train arrives at Carnforth, it could be that the pax are bussed to Grange Over Sands, as it is quite a short journey to the hotel - not ideal by the way!

 

I've read it- its not really saying anything new, and its not froth and vitriol, either. There may be one or two barbed comments, but they are mainly expressing disbelief at the Steam Railway column, in which the role of the ORR does seem to be downplayed to a mere formality. However, the more that trickles out, the more it seems there's a strange 'steady as she goes' attitude, long after the iceberg has been hit.

 

Not forgetting those employed by WCRC, whose futures I fear must be in doubt.

Andrew N

 

Specify the relevant BS standards for your coal? Does not mean of course thats what you get. In short, its a problem, its always been a problem, and it will continue to be a problem.

 

If they use the same hotels as last year then it was a coach to Lakeside from Grange-over-Sands, the one we stayed in was opposite Lakeside station and very nice it was too.

 

One of the main reasons for the demise of steam. Fuel quality variations and the inability of locomotives to perform to a dependably high standard because of this. The oil industry is not without issues and flaws but it does deliver a product to a repeatable standard. Once you have decided to switch to oil fuel, particularly imported, there is no point in using it in the firebox of a locomotive. I appreciate the differences in fuel grades but also note how other bodies have moved on over the years - the RN gave up on boiler fuel years ago.

On the subject of unacceptable variations and standards, demise too if it comes to it, we come to WCRC. And for the future of steam on the mainline, bearing in mind what has come about over the last few weeks, do we really want all of our eggs to be in so few baskets? Further, is it good for the long term future to have so many of the mainline capable locomotives in the hands of individuals?

 

A fellow linesider, who I know, said he had a chat at, Taunton, with the Train Manager from West Coast Rail and he said the reason the Tour was Diesel hauled from Plymouth was they didn't want any problems on some of the notorious banks between Plymouth and Taunton. Also he said they were hoping to get the SPAD ban lifted shortly and Steam could operate on some of the remaining GBVIII Days. Poor Coal, MY ARSE !!

 

How much are you prepared to pay lol

 

Its here

 

Sorry to have to say it, but I think anything coming out of West Coast at present has to be treated with a very large pinch of salt. "Hoping" isn't going to make it happen.

 

I wonder how WCR/RTC are trying to find alternative TOCs to run this tour? With WCR continuing to say they hope to be running soon how can they give guarantees to the alternative suppliers that they will actually get the work. There must be costs involved for the TOCs to roster crews, locomotives, etc that might all be for nothing if West Coast were back up and running. I guess they must be relying on an awful lot of good will.


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He wasn't selling some of these as well was he...............