The Midday Scot 19th March 2016

There is a lot of difference with modern traction with computerised controls. A steam loco has a brake valve, a regulator and a reverser. It's probably more important for the fireman to be familiar with the firing techniques required of different classes.

 

Anyone got their tickets and timings yet?



Nothing as yet. No timings on RTT that I can find.

 

Nope. But I did once get timings the day before the trip. Not ideal, but it happens.

I would like to know sooner rather than later as I'm thinking of bailing out at Edinburgh and catching a service train to York so I get longer at the destination and still get back at a reasonable time.

 

This it?

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U52159/2016/03/19/advanced

 

Down as a WCR tour

 

And to Fort William, so unlikely.

 

Hmmm I see...now.
Only read as far as Beattock, thatyll learn me!
Does raise the question what movement is this-empty jacobite stock presumably, but whats powering it?

 

Not sure why a Jacobite ECS would be starting in Kettering?

 

It was going to be a three day tour called the Jacobite Statesman with class 47s on it but now showing as cancelled on uksteam in the diesel tour section .

 

Evidently, as last week's excitement demonstrated, a lot of times are still 'on the system' as a result of submissions for paths before the suspension. As we are seeing, they are being cancelled one by one.

 

Would love to see the one that is not cancelled! Trip is on Saturday and as of late Tuesday no-one knows what time the train starts or returns. Surely the paths for this were agreed weeks ago and only needed a transfer from WCR to DBS.

 

Probably not so. DBC have different paths available to them and generally don't use Carnforth as a watering point, favouring Barton ad Broughton Loop.

 

You jest, NR probably haven't even checked the gauging yet.

 

Blimey. This uncertainty must be very unsettling for those booked on the tour. I can't begin to imagine the reaction if, at this late stage, the plug is pulled for gauging issues.

 

I am booked on this tour and i am assuming it will not run it will be a bonus if it doe's ,as for last weeks gauging issue that was the official line the unofficial one was there was some intervention that stopped the move.

 

Good point well made...

 

Think you're wrong. In "good faith" from way down south, we've booked service trains both ways and overnight accommodation in Manchester as if DBS(C) are involved trains do run. Might be one proviso - WCRC allowing 46233 and stock out of Carnforth.

 

Sort of assumed that as 46233 is not a WCRC or associated loco that there would not be a problem. Also assumed that stock would be hired from elsewhere in case WCR did not want to hire their stock out. Holding to ransom?

 

So now we have three stories, the first as stated by the ELR (who were expecting the locomotive and thus one would hope would have some manner of 'inside' information was that it didn't move due to crewing issues, then we have the alternative (which appears to have come from DBS) that crewing was fine and it was gauging (as the one issue that everyone throws at DBS is that they cannot resource crews for northern operations one would cynically suggest that it would be in their interest to deny any crewing shortfall), and finally we now have the blame being laid at the door of WCRC....

I have no idea who to believe although the story coming directly from ELR would appear to be the one released by a named organisation that one would expect to have knowledge of what actually happened and who have no apparent axe to grind with either DBS or WCRC - although they may now after the 'star' of their gala never materialised!