Cath-Ex The Bluebell Railway to Bath Spa 5/10/19

So they end up with insufficient support crew for whatever reason, what are they supposed to do? Perhaps you would like to offer your services

 

I assume you have such a negative attitude towards heritage railways that have had to cancel services in the past due to lack of volunteers, or towards Railtour promoters who have cancelled tour dates due to insufficient demand?

I know it's slightly disheartening to have the booked engine become unavailable, but the tour is still running and with steam. Indeed it's usually covered in the T&C's of all promoters. The negative attitude towards this does nobody any good, from both yourself and the promoter.

 

Actually, having spent 30 years with another locomotive group I fully understand the issues. We have never let anyone down. No sympathy for the PRSLT. Nor for your somewhat self righteous comment.

 

Shouldn’t we just be grateful that the steam movement in this country is large enough to come up with a substitute loco without any trouble.

 

Already do with another locomotive owning group.

 

Then you should know what it’s like

 

We have never failed to honour a commitment.

 

Are you sure, never had an engine failure, not passing a FTR exam?

 

Would you care to share publicly which locomotive this is? Just so we can all keep record and issue judgement should such a situation befall it?

After all, with a comment such as "We have never let anyone down", you should be more than willing to put the locomotives reputation out there?

 

That is entirely different. This is entirely self inflicted and is going to hurt the 6233 group in future.

 

No. None of your business. And not relevant either. You don't accept commitments you can't honour

 

Actually no. But a FTR failure is rather different to this.

 

Neither are entirely different. If a heritage railway issues a calendar of running dates, yet finds itself unable to fill the volunteer roster, it is essentially the same situation as No. 6233 and can be viewed as self inflicted? Issuing running dates when unable to resource?

With the railtour promoter analogy, it can be down to the promoter issuing too many optional dates and thus saturating the market. This has been seen in the past, resulting in cancellations to those booked on certain tours. Yes, the unavailability comes from the market end, but the cause can be traced back to the promoter. Similar situation of booking jobs when resources don't match?

 

As far as those expecting to travel behind your engine are concerned it’s no different

 

Well, I'd consider that an inability to back up your claim?

 

Frankly I have no interest in carrying on a conversation with someone as silly as you.

 

The Bluebell did not state any reason why 6233 was not attending, but I since heard the hire agreement fell through due to various condtions that were not acceptable to the railway, including that only PRCLT were to drive it.

 

Interesting to know, thanks Paul! I can retract the part of my comment which gave connection to both as possibly due to the same issue.

However, the rest still stands I suspect. No organisation is immune to last minute unavailability, regardless of the nature of the work or the size.

 

On a seperate matter I recieved a phone call from Steam Dreams today, who advised me the coach ( first class) I was due to travel in was not longer in the formation and I was to receive an upgrade to Premier Dining.

 

Mr Grey, I have no opinion either way on this dispute, but I am intrigued by your claims to be actively involved with another loco group despite your avatar - if that is what it is called - saying you do not currently volunteer. I'm sure this can be explained but I am puzzled about this. You seem to live in Des Moines which I think is in Iowa so maybe you are involved with a group in the US where the steam scene is somewhat different to here in the UK. You clearly have a strong opinion on this matter based on you background and experience and I cannot help but be curious about this. None of my business I know, but I'm curious nonetheless.

Peter James