35018 British India Line

Where is the evidence of poor engineering? 46115, 45699 and the 8F have been consistently good and so was Tangmere on the whole just that it's failures tended to be rather spectacular when they happened which I think is bad luck

 

I think many photographers are willing to provide their images for free to tour companies as well as preservation groups, etc., perhaps partly as a way of making a contribution and helping offset the "freeloader" reputation. I have provided WCRC with images that they have used on publicity material in the past and haven't asked, or been offered payment for their use. At the time, I felt perfectly happy for them to be used in that way, as my hobby is in no way a commercial enterprise. While I don't generally get wound up about their current livery policies, I probably wouldn't provide images to them now, simply because I do interpret their actions as being unnecessarily anti-enthusiast / photographer and that isn't something I wish to support. I don't believe DS and Co. put Galatea in red and BIL in black because they really thought it would provide enthusiasts with an opportunity to see something different. However, I also sympathize with their stance somewhat, given the stories of photographers / enthusiasts phoning 10A and demanding locos must be painted a certain way.

 

That is indeed the case in my experience. More than happy to provide images free of charge for society magazines etc.

 

I will admit that they do seem to have improved in the last couple of years, but Scots Guardsman, in particular, had an awful reputation around it's mid-ticket period, to the point that I stopped booking on or going to see tours using locos from the WCRC stable as they rarely made the full trip without failing. Tangmere, also had significantly more issues after it's transfer to WCRC. Galatea took a long time to settle down, but now seems to be fairly reliable. The 8F has been a consistent performer, except for the phase it went through setting fire to everything. Admittedly, most of the evidence is based on personal observations and therefore subject to significant bias, as I'm not aware of MPC figures being provided for the different locos?

 

Really? I had not heard of people making demands in that manner. If so I too have some sympathy for the dim view Mr Smith may have of the photographic fraternity. Whether it justifies putting a gash paint job on an otherwise well restored loco is a moot point however, a tad extreme perhaps.
All will be revealed in the fullness of time but I suspect some folk wil waste a lot of time waiting for others to give a toss.

 

I heard that to be the case with 47500 and a coat of GW Green. Rumour has it that the paint was ordered and it was going green, until someone phoned up ranting that it must go in that livery and not WCRC maroon, a call which promptly resulted in a change of mind. Whether there's any truth in the rumour, I don't know, but it wouldn't surprise me, particularly given what has happened with the steam fleet liveries since then.

 

Whilst I hate to spoil all the nonsensical speculation, just to point out to the few that care that BIL is out on a loaded test today.

 

You can understand the reluctance of WCRC to talk with anybody, inc enthusiasts, if they are taking calls about liveries on a regular basis.

They would be getting a 2 word reply from me, I am afraid.

Nothing would ever get done, no, the news blackout from Carnforth is fully understandable.

 

Any idea what colour the chameleon is today, green, black, red or blue!!??

 

I do, but I'm gonna keep it a secret......

Not really.... she is black and looks glorious! seems to have lost the Bodmin plates on the fireman's side at least.

 

Let's hope she passes with flying colours.

 

Got to admit I am becoming a fan of the black livery, if only because I find it so funny carnforth are sticking 2 fingers up to so many people!!

 

lets hope so, what ever colour she may be, she is still an Merchant Navy, and lets hope that in this anniversary year, that to have two and a West country active on the mainline ( even if she is pretending to be a BB) Is a fitting way to celebrate it

 

You won't get on in this thread with that attitude sonny!

 

I have absolutely no idea whether there's any truth in that rumour, but I can easily imagine someone making it up in order to reduce the incidence of nuisance phone calls!

 

Having spent the morning fielding energy calls on a property that our business no longer uses, I can sympathise with any tactics used to get rid of timewasting callers!

 

Err. Please point out just where I have knocked WC in this post?

 

Get a phone number so you can "ring them back" (sometimes you'll get one but if they refuse they rarely ring again).

When the next unwanted caller rings you say "please ring me at work tomorrow on (insert above number). When you do they will claim I don't work there, but that's just to put you off so INSIST on speaking to me personally".

Repeat as necessary.

 

Footage of 35o18 on her Mainline Loaded test run . Seen at Starricks Farm , Clapham , Long Preston and finally climbing Wilpshire bank .