Cumbrian Coast Express - 30th May 2015

Anyone on the CCE with updates?

 

Galatea watching her back going up Shap....



Hope you enjoy...

 

Footage of 45699 crawling up Shap with Britannia hunting her down .

 

Once in a lifetime....(Not edited!) (Note 70000's smoke already passing Greenholme in the background!)



One other shot of mine on Shap:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mark-walker/18248411566/in/dateposted/

Cheers,
Mark

 

Fantastic drama with two steam passenger trains following each other up Shap, probably for the first time since around 1963 surely?

A hot topic is "Window Hangers" Would they be banned from looking out of the windows because of an ORR ruling? Here we see the proof of the pudding. I knew it. Window hangers in abundance! And on both trains too but especially the second behind 70000. Wonderful and will put the doubters in their place.

 

LMS 5XP Class 4-6-0 No. 45699 'Galatea' approaches Park South Signal Box near Dalton with the return working of the 'Cumbrian Coast Express'

 

One from me, working steadily through beckhouses:



The rest of the days antics are up on my website: http://richardsteampics.weebly.com/recent-images.html

Richard

 

A view from Shap Wells

https://www.flickr.com/photos/124047467@N05/18294699442/in/datetaken-public/

 

Interesting application of rules on this trip.

Tour Guide stated that it was dangerous to stick your head out of the windows. Stewards came through coaches with similar warnings. No intercom functioning on this train despite evidence of speakers on the walls.

At Carnforth during loco change, stewards were happy for people to look out but were on the ball once we moved off.

Leaving Carlisle passengers were told that they MUST remain IN THEIR SEATS until we had passed Maryport. People needing the loo presented them with a challenge allied to defiance.. Stewards at every vestibule. Forced seating a bit over the top though.

The other issue was access to the loco. Accepting that this was one of the first post ban outings, and that the itinerary changed due to a lack of access into Carlisle, lessons need to be learned for the future. There was considerable dissatisfaction at Sellafield when the train passed through the platform and into a loop. Everyone had expected a leg stretch there and chance to se the loco up close. We were held in Carnforth Station for a short while and frustrated passengers started to unlock the doors and exit the train only to be rounded up by stewards as this was not a scheduled stop. Only sight of Galatea for those on board was a rapid reversal along WCML during loco change to the Class 90.

Tour operators are going to have to factor in an opportunity for those who are paying for the train to run to be able to view the loco. They are not paying so that linesiders can enjoy their hobby, though that is a desirable side effect. Stopping only in loops and affording no access to the loco will drive people away from the tours.

 

I agree that these are beyond the control of tour operators and stewards. But the tour operator has to deliver customer satisfaction. It is the tour operator selling the ticket and a perceived experience. As such the tour operator has to outline the needs of their customers to the TOC they contract with. I accept that at this moment in time, the power lies with NR and they may be less than accommodating with WCRC in particular. I understand that the CFE dropped passengers at Appleby, entered the loop and then reversed back to collect. That could have happened at Sellafield yesterday. It was sad to see so may crowded in the vestibules, expecting to get off only to return to their seats.

This is one for the future in this post ban world. Just saying that efforts need to be made to consider what the paying passenger expects. If you can't actually see what is pulling you then is it worth the effort?

 

45699 seen from Shap Wells

 

Video private

 

My effort of Galatea at Docker

http://www.crozierphotography.co.uk/photos/index.php/Railways/New-images/45699_Docker_300515

Steven

 

It was private when first posted.

 

I can't wait for the first joker to put out a papier-maché head to fool the photographic police.

 

Galatea holding up the Thoroughbred at Salterwath

 

The number of tickets sold must have dictated 10 passenger carrying vehicles after all. There was some speculation that lower sales might enable a coach or 2 less.

 

Without sounding like the needles stuck, would the guard or revenue inspector of a crowded HST from Paddington to Swansea, Bristol or Plymouth insist that passengers remain in their seats to avoid passengers standing at the windows? Of course not. My brother, on his way back to Taunton last week on an HST to Plymouth, saw a chap having a crafty fag away from the gaze at an opened drop down window. We know that at other times there are folk who simply wish to stretch their legs and get some fresh air. If it is good enough and safe enough for a train travelling at 125mph why suddenly is not safe enough for other trains? And what about the Cumbrian Fells Express with 70000 whereby almost every window has people hanging out? A very confusing and frustrating situation for the passengers clearly.