WCRC Licence Suspended

So switch off your notifications for the thread instead of grumbling that you feel compelled to ask people to stop posting.

 

Jacobite bookings are being accepted from Monday 18th May.

 

how can that happen when no decision made yet, smacks of GB8

 

Optimism gone mad IMHO. Even if NR raised the suspension on 16 May, unlikely, stock locos and crews would need to get to Fort William by Sunday pm. Given that it appears WCRC cant organise the excess consumption of alcoholic beverages in a manufacturing facility dedicated to said beverages, I dont see it happening.

Unless a third party, Scotrail?, suddenly gets steam on its books.

 

We don't know thats unlikely.

They have had plenty of time to organise and sub it out to another ToC like DBS, and WCRC never guarantee its steam. Its likely to run, and it probably wont be steam at first.

 

The advertising co-lateral strongly implies it is steam:

The heading is "The Jacobite - Famous Steam Train" with a picture of 62005. (http://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/jacobite/jacobite-steam-train-details.cfm) And when you click through to "Locomotive", they suggest 62005, 45231 or 45407, and nothing at all about diesels. (http://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/jacobite/locomotives-and-coaches.cfm)

So either they know something we don't, or they are being very disingenuous in their advertising.

Tom

 

That's why I checked their online booking system.....maybe they do know something.
It's showing it running from the 11th but click on each day and tickets are unavailable until 18th.

 

Just a thought. If WCRC do lose their licence, maybe Northern Rail could be persuaded to take on a Steam Tour business as a TOC. As I see it they really like very old trains. Perfect fit?

 

A couple of days ago, it was possible to select and book on the first of West Coast's new Dalesman services, on Tue 12th May. I didn't get as far as entering my CC number, but...

David Smith told Steam Railway that WCRC are only cancelling tours about a week ahead, in case they get the all-clear from NR. They don't want to make other arrangements only to find that they could have run the tour themselves.

 

It's his business to do with as he likes, of course, but that sounds like a course of action almost purpose designed to result in disappointed and frustrated customers - not sound business practice in what is basically a service industry, surely?

Tom

 

When you click through to terms and conditions you get

West Coast Railways makes no representations about the suitability of the information, products and services contained on this website for any purpose. West Coast Railways shall use reasonable care and skill in carrying out the services contained in this website.

and

West Coast Railways also reserves the right to use diesel traction in the event of high fire risk or steam locomotive failure.

However you may have a get out clause there, if they never intended to run it with steam at all

 

This draft contract for The Jacobite from 11th May is sitting on the ORR site. Not sure how long it's been there but there were only 15 documents with WCRC references last week, now there are 17.

http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/13937/s22-wcrc-3rd-charter-sa-approv-agrmnt.pdf

 

The interview took place just before SR's print deadline, 15th April, before the ORR consultation was announced, when WCRC were predicting they could be back on the network by 22nd April. However, I've not seen anything in the mean time, that makes me think he's changed his approach

 

Can't see any mention of The Jacobite in that link. Am I missing something?

 

http://railwayherald.com/uknews/possible-delay-to-start-of-2015-jacobite


West Coast Railways has confirmed to Railway Herald that it may need to delay the start of the 2015 Jacobite season.

In a press statement the company said that it was unlikely that steam services would be launched next week, because of the ongoing situation with Network Rail, adding that the only other steam operator, DB Schenker, had not shown any interest.

The company has been set a deadline of 15th May to comply with the requirements of Network Rail, and the same date marks the conclusion of an industry consultation that the ORR has started as it 'considers' revoking the WCR safety certificate. The outcome of both is still awaited, with Network Rail confirming to Railway Herald that there has been no change in the situation at present.

WCR spokesman David Pitts said: “We have only until Monday, the start of the Jacobite season, to regain our track access. Failure to do so will be a bitter blow to all passengers and people relying on the service locally for an income." He added that “Everything that can be done is been done to keep this historic service alive. In the event of us having to cancel a Jacobite service, all passengers will be given at least 48 hours’ notice and full refund, but we sincerely hope it doesn’t come to that.”

Railway Herald understands that conversations with some locomotive owners and alternative train operators to provide a diesel operation have taken place, although the outcome of these is not known.

We will endeavour to keep readers updated with the latest news on the situation, through our website and social media, as soon as it is received.

 

The T&Cs are there to protect the company from unforeseen circumstances, not to allow them to knowingly advertise one service but deliver another.

So I stand by what I said: Either they know they will be operating steam on the Jacobite, or they are being disingenuous in their advertising. After all, as their T&Cs say, "West Coast Railways has taken every reasonable effort to ensure that the information contained within this website is correct." Every reasonable effort would include not strongly portraying the trip as steam hauled, with no mention of diesel haulage, if they know - or even strongly suspect - that they can't deliver that service on the dates they are offering. Websites are child's play to edit, after all.

Tom

 

http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rig...otection-from-unfair-trading-regulations-2008

 

Which relates mainly to *misleading* conditions. I don't think the WCRC terms are misleading. Also, I think you need to prove they are misleading in court - are passengers going to go to the bother/cost of doing this?

 

Wait, what ?!

 

The link was in response to Toms post referencing disingenuous advertising.
Quite right that only courts can ultimately decide but that's best avoided for the sake of all parties really. Wisest thing to do is advertise with absolute clarity and honesty.