Cumbrian Coast Express 9/4/16

In an earlier post I said that I hoped it was not going to be one of those days that started badly and then fell away - well fall it did. Mrs W and I arrived at Preston in good time only to see that the train was shown as cancelled on the Arrivals Screen. A quick check on RTT showed that it was progressing and making up time. There then followed a couple of announcements for passengers on the 10.26 excursion to Carlisle saying that the train had been cancelled due to (about 3 words and totally incomprehensible). Saw Ralph's post about standing room only (thanks at least someone has some clear info). So we waited, along with several others (some had left) at 10.42 the train sailed through without stopping.

As the coach problem had been a few hours earlier was there not a spare coach at Carnforth that could have been shunted on behind the support coach? Did it really warrant abandoning the customers due to board at Preston? Mrs W and I had tickets for seats in the buffet coach, the buffet coach was still part of the formation at Preston. Who was sitting in my seat? And although it may have been expedient for them to been "given" my seat and more importantly Mrs W's seat, I'm not sure how RTC stand legally, I know how they stand morally. For the record Mrs W has vowed not to travel with RTC and their TOC of choice ever again - we'll see!

 

I feel sorry for those passengers left at Preston, a full refund and compensation is what RTC should IMHO pay out, and none of those vouchers for future trips either.

Dave B

 

Sorry to hear about the problems for passengers. I caught her summoning her strength leaving Carnforth...looked magnificent

 

Pigs might fly! More chance of winning the Lottery jackpot.
Again two steam tours today = two disasters.

 

The minimum I would expect would be a full refund AND a complementary ticket on a similar trip of MY choice...

 

Do you really believe an FTR would be unnecessary on the basis of a vehicle successfully completing a turn a week ago?
Wouldn't have thought even your beloved WC operates that policy. Full marks for seeking to defend them but a zero rating for your credibility with that statement.

 

I'm not sure what the legal restrictions might be re standing, but if permissible for the short distance from Preston to Carnforth where another coach should have been able to have been made available, we would have done it. RTC are not responsible for the operation of the train but they do owe a duty of care to their clients (or they won't have any). If leaving passengers at a station is an option then RTC must ensure that they are informed of the reason by ensuring that they have someone available at all boarding stations. If say coach F was the one with faulty brakes there is an argument for saying that it is those passengers who are turned away, but I would say that wouldn't I? This, of course, would lead to some difficult face to face conversations. I would find this "pot luck" easier to accept than, "last on at Preston - s*d 'em and don't stop - they'll find out when they ring up on Monday to complain".

As for when the brakes were last checked. I expect the following from RTC, our TOC informs us that, prior to the day of the tour the brakes were checked in accordance with Industry Practices and found to be operating correctly. On the day of the tour a problem was found with the brakes of one coach which necessitated it being removed from the train. From WCRC I would expect silence.

What is doubly annoying is that this appears to have been a very good run and it's sunny.

 

Like I said before I don't know the restrictions on standing - could have been distributed throughout the train. I would like to find out if adding a coach at Carnforth was ever considered - but I doubt that I ever will.

 

The rebuilds really are a beautiful thing.(including some Pats and 2 Jubs of course)

 

Still a "disaster" for those waiting at Preston, if I'm correct, watching their train sail straight through. With no explanation at the time I presume.
Not a situation I would enjoy.
The other one of course is the Stratford trip where the already one way steam haulage was further curtailed due to last minute incompetence by you know who.
I assume it's one of those cases where the computer says no & that's it.

 

Tell that to the commuters et al who have to stand on service trains.

 

Perhaps I meant more than considered -along the lines, Southall to Carnforth do you receive, over? We've had to leave a coach behind, this will mean we are thirtyish seats short from Preston. Can you find another coach and couple it behind the support coach? If definitely yes we will stop and ask passengers if they want to board and stand to Carnforth. If no, or you are uncertain, or you don't want them to stand we will not stop at Preston. Too much to expect when it was WCRC equipment that was faulty?

 

Firstly does anyone know if there any spare vehicles kept at Southall for just such a problem and, if not, why not? It is a reasonably regular occurrence for a faulty coach needing to be removed from a rake so why not plan ahead?

Second, standing passengers. Is it actually written into any rule or regulation that standing passengers are not permitted on charters? If so then why allow us delicate souls to venture to the buffet, the window, the WC etc without the whole train being brought to a halt every 30 seconds? The division of 30 excess passengers between 10 coaches is a simple one. I have never yet travelled on any charter in 40 years where less than 3 passengers per coach were at some point out of their seats and Preston to Carnforth is a magnificent 27 miles, less than 5% of the total journey distance.

Third. 30 passengers standing from Preston to Carnforth, Shock Horror, hold the front page! Anyone who travels in the peak, during the summer or cross country would be glad of the luxury of a standing time so short.

Fourth. Any such standing was entirely unnecessary. WCR had a mere five hours from knowing there was problem at Southall to the train reaching Preston. Is it beyond their wit or organisational ability to send an email, phone message, carrier-pigeon or Marconigram between those two distant outposts of the British Empire arranging for RTC customers to travel by service train between those two points?

So the entirely logical adding of a coach at Carnforth was considered. Yes, I'm sure WCR considered it was too much trouble to do it in either the five hours available or more likely just too much trouble at all., After all the only inconvenience was to passengers so it's not like it matters.

I'm sure that WCR will be delighted to see that it's loyal Local Defence Volunteer is once more on duty to protect it's interests, but how about supporting the passengers point of view for a change?