North Yorkshire Moors Railway General Discussion

Can I ask
Is 76079 actually sold?

 

Lineisclear said: ↑

As the piece quoted above by Steve suggests, it was viewed at the time as a opportunistic purchase - does it really surprise you that a very positive spin was placed on it? It's no worse than what you are spinning in the way of denigration!

 

There was a rumour it had been, but I suspect that was more a case of wishful thinking!

 

Not at all but the basket case description was from someone able to make an informed judgement.

 

This seems to me to be very fair questions/points which are probably at the heart of the problem at least some NYMR members and shareholders have with the disposal of 76079. As observed before the communication has been partial. If it weren’t then these questions would not arise. Partial communication if repeated becomes a trust issue with serious consequences.

Communication is super difficult. People’s perception of what is said will be driven by their way of seeing the world etc. It is also very difficult if you are the person or group doing the communication to manage to tell the whole story from the beginning to the end, because of course you already know what you want to say, but it’s coloured by the intimate knowledge you already have.

 

Does the decision to move to a 5-day operation for most of the season change the 10-year loco plan?

Jon

 

Excellent question Jon.

Regarding Whitby locos, is it just 5428, 44806 and Repton available at the moment?
Of those currently under long-term repair (e.g. 825, 63395) or overhaul (80135, 75029 etc), which are realistically likely to run to Whitby?

It strikes me that the comment about a motive power shortage a page or so back may be bang on with regard to Whitby locos. 5428 has 3 years left, 44806 and 926 obviously have almost a full 10 but if a minimum of 4 are needed, that means two need to be back in service in 3 years. Realistic?

And do we know when 825 might be back in service?

 

Ideally, on days with Whitby running I think two NR=registered steam locos are used, so once 44806 available there is a little margin. These will be joined eventually by 825 and 75029, but I'm not sure if that will be this year, and I think 5428 is due to be withdrawn for an intermediate overhaul; judging by how long an intermediate on 926 took it may well be a year or two before it returns, so I think this year will continue to be tight. Just my opinion, though, I'm sure I'll be put right if I'm wrong!

 

Just a quick shout-out to NYMR. Excellent day on 1-1-25. We did the 1110 Pickering to Whitby and return.

Train turnout (Mark 1s and a Black 5, then a Schools), excellent. No thrashing of locos, just very nicely worked. Staff we excellent, friendly and helpful/welcoming. Full marks.

Train was well-loaded and we liked the on-route whistle-up at midday with the Black 5 #railway200 and there was another whistle-up when our train reached Grosmont, where a loco swap occuured. Some low-res shots below.

We liked, as did other passengers, the ability to do unlimited return rides over the next year, so the 49 pounds each felt like good value for money.

 

Amongst all the discussion about Whitby locos,don't forget there are 2 diesels able to run there.

 

But, that’s not what people expect/think they’re paying for I suspect, and finding another one should one break (even with vac brakes) isn’t probably as difficult as finding a steam engine?

 

I have heard some grumbles on my visits where a diesel is in use. From my SVR volunteering experience, I'd say the general public put up with diesel haulage as long as there's an opportunity to also have steam at some point. That's a soften position compared to say 10 years.

 

Unfortunately that doesnt tally up with what I see on a daily basis. Over the past week, the first 2 services from Kidderminster, steam hauled, were full. Not F&S but no spare seats. However when the 2nd one of Kidderminster was diesel hauled, there was a very noticeable drop in passengers and the now 1015 was full and standing. It also doesnt hide the fact that when we have steam from Bridgnorth, we sell more tickets compared to when the DMU is running.

Customers will accept diesel haulage as a means to get back their starting point or if they have missed the steam service, but from experience they wont go out of their way to travel behind the diesel.

 

Actually our experience is mostly the same, maybe just a different way of putting it. Going back 10 years passengers were a lot more vocal with their annoyance/disappointment. I do think it's important to ensure that a minimum level of steam is maintained (50% IMO) and if you are going to take a hit in ticket sales by switching to diesel, use of the DMU is probably more effective as I'm not actually convinced of the cost saving of large diesels.
The only issue with comparing sales when using the DMU and when using steam, is that we are then comparing days when we would expect different passengers numbers/traffic. In 2024, steam was off Bridgnorth on special events and summer Saturdays, days that are busy anyway.

 

Anecdotal experience at the NYMR shows a resistance to diesel haulage and I am told people can turn away at the booking office if they find that's the case. Where possible the NYMR try and provide steam haulage for part of the journey. The 09.20 off Pickering is planned diesel haulage from Grosmont to Whitby and return to Grosmont so the steam loco can go to shed for examination and service. There has been a lot of diesel haulage twixt Grosmont and Whitby in 2024 due to the shortage of 'Whitby' locos.

 

44806 is not curently available to run to Whitby. Apparently awaiting a part that is on long delivery. When the situation will change, I don't know. 80135 is being kitted out to run to Whitby but the practicalities of doing so (water capacity) are yet to be tested.
N.R. registered locos only get 7 years unless they have an intermdiate boiler overhaul and an extension is granted. RSSB Standard RIS 2003.

 

Yes I concur. We travelled May 2017 and the class 25 officiated from Grosmont to Whitby on the morning train and I could hear grumbles in leading coach. Although people softened when they learnt steam would haul second Whitby departure of the day - as like us - they made a day of being in Whitby.

 

How long left on is left on 5428?

 

On the NYMR today,

Pickering Station is looking lovely.

Some very late running- starting with the S-160 leaving Pickering late, then when 926 came on at Grosmont there was a long delay due to an issue with the loco.

No time pressure for us today, so not too bothered.

There were a few miffed passengers over the significantly shortened stop in Whitby.

Chris

 

How is the S160 behaving generally? Not visited since the first weekend in November and it wasn't running then.