Clan Line 2022

We might well find out at some point what has happened this time, but I wonder what the passengers will be told. 'Operational difficulties', perhaps? I also wonder if the signallers' strike at Didcot may be a factor, although it's not obvious how.

 

And now we're left wondering whether Tangmere will work next weekend's UKRT trip with the Pullmans.

 

Exactly! I have been pessimistic about the chances, but hope to be proved wrong.

 

Do anyone have any further information on what happened with 'Tangmere' yesterday?

 

Sorry - something did 'happen' because the rostered loco did not haul the train. I merely asked if anyone knew what was behind the change of plan, and there was no implication of any failure or fault in my question. There was no intention to cause a problem from a simple question, which this forum should be able to accommodate, dealing as it does with main line steam and its surrounding issues. Speculation is not damaging in itself, and I would hope that we are not going down the road of obfuscation or restriction of pretty basic stuff like this (noting that two posts have been removed). Whether 'Tangmere' appears this Saturday or not will not necessarily bring any clarity on what happened last time. Also, just because a loco travels to its intended start point does not rule out any problems (mechanical or otherwise) when it comes to getting ready for the day of the tour, so evidence of it travelling south is not very relevant. I have to say I find the apparent secrecy/jitters around this rather disturbing from a forum like this. Other forums I use dealing with rail issues do not flinch away from open discussion like this.

 

Yes, here's hoping indeed, but why are we not permitted to ask basic stuff like this without the portcullis slamming down?

 

Speculation can cause a lot of trouble, you mentioned an unsubstantiated story going around about union trouble which could quite easily have degenerated into a union bashing exercise. Our friends in DB who are ASLEF members don’t want to read anything like that. Obviously there are reasons why Tangmere wasn’t on the train and the parties involved will have reasons why they haven’t made it public. You could provoke a lot of wibble on here but at the end of it we won’t be any wiser. As Big Al said wait and see what happens on Saturday.

 

I most certainly DIDN'T mention anything about any possible cause, as I was very careful NOT to speculate. I asked what people knew. If we are to limit this forum to recanting bland facts only, then it will be much the poorer for it. What is so terrible about speculation? What is this "trouble" it can supposedly cause? ASLEF members, and anyone else, can read anything anywhere and are wise enough to dismiss rubbish. This is about exchanges of views, even if some turn out to be erroneous, which is what discussion forums should be about - have a look at other such forums and you'll find full and frank discussions, including union issues, without such severe censorship. Free discussion is being limited, and it all feels very Chinese, to take one regime that comes to mind. In any case, unless some dramatic revelation is made then, what happens next weekend is another story. I'll leave this here because it's obvious that I will learn nothing more here.

 

Its an internet forum, NOT the confession box. The purpose of an internet forum THIS FORUM in fact (the one that says "Whats going on") exists to DISCUSS whats going on.

 

Agreed, but sometimes issues are easier to resolve out of the public eye, and without variously well informed rumours raising the emotional temperature.

 

Without spreading any rumours or speculating, can anyone predict whether Tangmere will work the UKRT trip?

 

based on available facts, the answer is probably no-one knows for sure

 

What does the 'hive-mind' consider might operate on the BBP on 10 December? Is 'Tangmere' expected to stand in for 'Clan Line' again or is it to be diesel-hauled? It's already sold out at £635 p.p. so I imagine they'll want steam for that money!

 

I thought Steam Railway reported it would be 44871. Does that have air brakes, I thought not and I assume the Belmond set is air only.
Heard of refunds, a work colleague got a hefty refund when his trip had to be diesel hauled. Mind you over 10 years ago before world economics changed.

 

I hadn't heard that. A 'Five' on the very heavy BBP would be very interesting and would presumably be receiving significant assistance most of the time.

 

Both of Riley's 5's are air brake fitted, but it's expecting rather a lot to expect a black 5 to manage such a heavy train, especially on damp rail head conditions, plus it's limited to 60 MPH, If Tangmere is available, and agreement has been reached for West Coast to operate the tour, I would imagine Tangmere, would be first choice, if another 7p isn't available, Unless the Dutchess happens to be at Southall, when in that case, it might revert to DBS, as she is on both operators books.