LE Movements, ECS and Test Runs 2021

As someone who is rather supportive and rather grateful of what Mr Hosking has done for our hobby and movement in general I have to say this doesn’t sit very comfortably with me. Whatever their background or politics it’s just wrong simple as.

 

My political leanings have absolutely nothing to do with it (FYI - I have never voted Labour!). As @Matt37401 says, it doesn't sit comfortably with me either. But because he owns a few steam locos and some pretty carriages, people don't care that he's stretched the rules to breaking point.

 

Sorry Ralph, but that's absolutely not the case. It doesn't matter which way you vote or who you support that in this scenario. The fact that he is pro-Brexit means next to nothing*.

The stay at home order that the government is legally enforcing, however, does mean something. In fact, the stay at home order means just that. Stay at home. I can't go and spend a week in the Highlands of Scotland at this time of year like I sometimes do. I can't go down a pub with my mates and laugh at the tragic state of affairs that is our country. I can't do anything other than eat, sleep, work, repeat. That's it. So how is it that I can't go on holiday for a week in Scotland and yet a multi-millionaire can when in both countries, people are told do not go out for anything other than essential travel?

But no, going on what the interview with an LSL bigwig says in the Daily Record article you quote, LSL "...asked Jeremy to come along to test a range of new equipment we have onboard. He is an officer of the company and one of the less IT illiterate people we have... the coaches (abv) have new air conditioning, shower units and electrical equipment which had to be tested in live conditions."

The two bits I've put into bold are key. If these are the real reasons, and not "driver training", then you have to ask the question how this is allowed in lockdown times? I want to test a new Sat Nav I've got in my car and a new lens for my camera**. Am I allowed to do that? Breaking news: No. No I'm not. LSL have a base the size of a small county in Crewe. Are you seriously telling me they can't test whatever it is that the owner needs to test on shed there? Why do they need the owner to be there to "test in live conditions" in the middle of Scotland for 3 days? Does this qualify as essential travel?

And I'm curious to know what "officer of the company" means? That's a very odd way to put "member of staff", don't you think?

James

* apart from the fact he has quite a few very well placed Brexit-y friends in the government, who often like to ride with him on his special Brexit train...
** both are hypothetical new purchases. That would imply I actually have money to spend, to which I can assure you, I most definitely do not.

 

In my own TOC, we are still continuing with what we call 'Route Retention' trains and so the practice of sending out route refreshers is still on. However, I don't think that is what is causing frustration here.

As James alludes to above, what testing was necessary by non operational staff that had to be undertaken in Grange Over Sands and on Glenfinnan Viaduct? I dare say, had their equipment proven disastrously faulty as they suggest they were testing for, being parked up on a viaduct is the last place you want to be caught out on. Static testing in Crewe would appear the obvious solution, however we don't know if any was performed first before these runs. The opportunity to test under realistic conditions is no doubt beneficial, perhaps the timing and location of overnight stays could have been better considered for both practical and image sake. After all, what did they learn on Glenfinnan Viaduct or Grange over Sands Station that wouldn't have been discovered in Fort William Yard or the loops at Carnforth?

 

Do you still think the government should do this, or (as you have bought politics into it) the use of the army in to quell any dissenters with water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets should only apply to those who are not large scale right wing donors?

 

Just out of interest are the Directors of the company coming along with their dogs on these route retention trains ? I do worry about the dog, poor soul must have been sat with his legs crossed!

Just for completeness it was not Grange it was Arnside, and the vast majority of the train was not in the station overnight.

 

What I find odd is the idea that because someone has preserved some locos that this therefore gives them a free pass to ignore the laws that everyone else has to follow.

 

So he broke the law?....why then is he not under arrest?

 

Back on topic of LE/ECS, will this be a steam+POB or will it be diesel and stock?

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C23257/2021-03-17/detailed

 

Showing as 45231 on the RTT link now.

Other paths...

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C23260/2021-03-17/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C23269/2021-03-17/detailed

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C23267/2021-03-17/detailed

 

Timed for 75mph max?! Knew that wasn’t just an air tank strapped to the back of the tender!!

I jest...

 

I am sure you would have gone out, tugging your forelock and fawningly given them a push if need be. (But only after checking which way they voted first).

 

45231 plus blood and custard support coach away from Crewe 2 mins early at 09:54. <BJ>