RTC 2024

Correct. https://www.clan-line.org.uk/diary/

 

Yes, it's mentioned in the Clan Line diary list. Clan Line : Diary Dates (clan-line.org.uk) <BJ>

 

I notice that on the 'Bath & Bristol Christmas Express' on 14th December, steam gives way to diesel traction on the section between Salisbury to Bristol and return.

'At Salisbury, we say a temporary goodbye to our steam locomotive which leaves us here for turning and servicing, and continue diesel hauled via Westbury and the Avon valley to Bath Spa'

I'm not aware of why this is but that is a large part of the journey that is diesel hauled. Most regrettable IMHO as it means that the steam hauled exhilarating climb to Upton Scudamore will be lost. <BJ>

Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express - 27-01 | The Railway Touring Company

 

It’s steam from Three Bridges and I think it may well be steam all the way back. Probably not enough time to turn and service the engine at Bristol. It’s a long way off so we will have to wait and see. As has already been mentioned it’s a very long day for the support crew.

 

I was told two support crews were used for the EOSS due to the length of the day. Not sure if true but there was an army of folks at Yeovil, that seemed far more than normal to my eye.

 

There was only one support crew.

 

Just to warn folk for the CME that there is a slow moving (12 mph) transformer heading from Heysham to Longtown on Saturday 3 August via M6 from J34, starting at Heysham at 09:00. It is heading north and is taking up two lanes of traffic. For more info see https://www.lancs.live/news/cumbria-news/m6-wide-load-warning-lancashire-29649282

 

Kentish Belle for 7th August appears to have been cancelled, removed from RTCs website the timings disappeared

 

Perhaps you should exercise a little more care when being so quick to post these sort of comments just to let people know you are in the know..?
There is a very strict requirement that staff working on the railway and particularly staff carrying out work at the lineside, such as support crews for watering, servicing etc should not exceed 12 hours work in any 24 hours.
You may have just got somebody into trouble, you don't know who might be looking at this forum!

 

One support crew of sufficient numbers to comply with those regulations. Not every one is on duty all the time.

 

Good luck with that one when the ORR come knocking at the door!
If they are there on the coach they are on duty!
Off duty means away from the railway...

 

If you look at the of the marathon outings by some operators that would be quite impossible.

 

I quite agree, but they are the rules all other railway workers have to abide by, hence the need for the less said the better!

 

But you seem to be saying these rules apply to unpaid volunteer support crew? If that is true I fail to see how many steam workings operate at all, the majority would surely need far more than 12 hours duty?

 

Working time regulations for safety critical railway work, I.e working at the lineside of a railway apply to everybody whether paid or volunteer. The actions of an overworked, tired volunteer have exactly the same potential to cause an accident as an overworked, tired employee.
Sorry if this does not fit with your ideals.

 

Personally I would disagree. I know several places where “passing to turn of duty” doesn’t count as safety critical work, and as such does not impede the 12 hour duty. If the crew aren’t all involved at one time, but are using the train to pass to their duty, there is in theory nothing wrong.

Same as myself at work. I can catch the train in to work, 30 minute journey in my case, and catch the train home from work, both cases I’m passing, but they don’t affect my 12 hours max turn length. So effectively by day could be 13 hours on trains. I’d still be expected to assist where those trains involved in an incident, even though I’m not on duty.

As an aside the 12 hour “rule”/hidden “rules” is/are sticky ones even by their own guidelines. You cannot be rostered for more than 12 hours, but that doesn’t prevent you working more than 12 if you are asked to do so/feel fit to do so/have taken the proper breaks, etc.

 

30 mins to 1 hour passing to a turn of duty would be considered reasonable, for an 18 hour plus support crew shift, trying to pass off several hours or more as passing to a turn of duty travelling on the same train as you are going to be working on would be stretching it somewhat.

I do agree with your last comment, but this would only be in extreme circumstances and should never be considered normal working practice to be carried out regularly.

 

It really doesn't - it means not on duty. A person who works for 'the railway', whether paid or unpaid, is entitled to travel on a train when not rostered and not be expected to take over in the event of a problem. They may choose to offer but that doesn't mean it would be accepted, depending on the circumstances. In other words, staff can be off duty while on the railway. Anyway, back to the cancelled trip on Wednesday (the Kentish Belle), is the reason known; bookings, fire risk, etc?

 

Ok, so you can travel to/from a shift on the railway, thanks for the clarity. So after a 12 hour shift, I am within my rights to spend the next 12 hours hanging around on a train or the railway and then book straight on duty for another shift because I haven’t been on duty with my employer, not sure how that will go.

Strange though, all the periodic safety briefs we have on the railway, working hours, fatigue, and proper rest periods are always included and discussed??