WCME/CME 2024

All the speculation on here has been a complete waste of time as usual. Did you really think that WC were going to sit around and hope for the best with the court case? The fact that everything, including the RTC trips have continued to accept bookings is evidence that they have made suitable arrangements for rolling stock from somewhere. We don't know what they have done and understandably they won't tell but all will be revealed when the trains run. No point in any further discussion really.

 

Don't miss the parallel running with the freight on the thrash to Tharandt!!

 

Unusual for the ticket not to include a schedule of coaches but presumably passengers have an allocated coach/seat number. Unlike "Mystic 33056", "Oswald the Prognosticator" predicts that it won't be the NB set. Would the set have sufficient seats for a well-booked WCME? Unlike the Riviera set the NB set does not have a generator and would need a diesel for train power - may get one anyway, irrespective of stock. Is Mr S going to let his best coaches be used by the "riff-raff" - I include myself amongst that number. I agree with @Johnb, WCRC will have had a plan and we will soon find out, speculation on here achieves little apart from passing the time.

 

The ticket includes the usual A-J but it makes no specific mention of those carriages not being the normal ones, however the choice of loco (and Pathfinder's open-ness) drops a hint at something different to normal.

Andrew

 

Guess what. The WCR Mk2 Air Con Coffins with CDL is the stock for Saturday and probably for the foreseeable future. It appears RTC have no intention of telling the customers this.

 

That has to be the highlight of the event.

 

It could be argued why would they? Some regulars might have expected Mk1's but the information page for all tours states this below, so unless the seats do not align with the windows, then the offering is likely to be in accordance with this.

Travelling by Steam Train
Our Day Trips and Tours almost exclusively make use of specially chartered trains hauled by steam locomotives. The trains offer a choice of types of seating to suit your particular requirements. Each passenger is allocated their own reserved seat ensuring that travel on these special trains is a relaxing experience providing the perfect escape from all the hustle and bustle of modern day life. All of the seats on our trains line up with the carriage windows, unlike many modern trains, and thus provide the maximum viewing area to add to the enjoyment of your journey.

 

RTC have removed Mk1 First Open & Pullman wording from their website. Very sneaky.

 

Well the coffins are air braked only so unless 34067 is going to do everything, impossible, something is going to have to give. I can't see them all of a sudden air braking the whole of the steam fleet.

Hopefully WCRC and ORR are having discussions on the time period to fit the CDL and reviewing risk assessments etc so that the main season can operate with non CDL Mk1 stock.

 

Do they have an entire rake thus, would probably make about 90% of threads covering these matters superfluous if they do and if they do why is there talk from RTC of the stock being blue and grey and why would WCR bother hiring in?

 

I had a look on Vintage Carriage Database. It seems many of the later Mk2s have never/not recently been used, some have carried passengers such as 6021 and others are in ruin such as 3408 and 6179. Carnforth is home to 29 Mk2 E or Fs.

 

Where was that quoted then?, because I am not sure I have ever seen Mk1 First Open & Pullman mentioned in either the tour description or the information page for this years tours or any previous ones.
Most of the potential passengers would not have a clue what those two types of coaches are anyway.
Although I notice the info this years brochure does have the sentence
"In adverse conditions the train operating company, West Coast Railways, may feel the need to run with a diesel loco attached to the rear as a precaution.

That of course may be one for the Transparency thread.

 

Blue/grey set is for the Pathfinder job on the 24th Feb. The blue/grey set being Riviera owned and the parent company of Pathfinder, it would make sense.

 

It was stated throughout their website, tour pages and on Day Trip Catering. It has now gone from tour pages and the catering page has been updated to 'British Rail Heritage Coaches'.
Enthusiasts do and will.

 

Mr Riley has mentioned on the ORR thread that he aims to get 48 down to Southall before the Gloucester trip on 10/02/24

Andrew

 

If you're reading the thread and others James, could you tell us if any progress is being made with the ORR to get a new exemption based on an acceptable alternative to CDL? Any chance of that happening this week and for the Mk1s to run on Saturday? We're a bit interested as we've spent £920 on tickets for Saturday and a further £920 for the WCME on 17th February and won't travel in Air Con Mk2s. Bit of a dent in the pocket but such is life.

 

I’ll be very surprised if you get a response on a public forum like this from Mr Shuttleworth. I’d maybe try an email or phone call.
Bloody hell that is a seriously eye watering amount of cash to spend.

 

I mean ultimately for anyone complaining, the train is still running. There could be no train at all.

Northern Belle wise I understand that the MK3 coaches in this were already CDL fitted but I could be wrong.

 

While it is still running, it's not the heritage experience people want.

Steam Dreams customers were disappointed when the Mk3s were used once LSL took over operations. I'd be disappointed if I went to the SVR and the engines were lugging around Mk3s all day long rather than what we come to expect.

There's also the fact if a customer is not happy, and booked in good faith, there's no option of a refund.

 

I was of the same opinion though, having never travelled on this set or paid any close attention to it, could likewise be incorrect.

For my part, I am booked on Saturdays train and pleased that it is running despite the fact it will be "coffins" though will not be in any great hurry to book further steam-hauled trips unless there is a return to MkIs or similar.

In the meantime, I am enjoying a trip in an area where CDL is not a thing, the Douro Valley in Portugal