Roy Watts warns of more diesels on the Bluebell

The point is that it keeps old skills alive and provides a variety of tasks for the volunteer crews and other staff alike. It makes a welcome change from the usual passenger trains.

 

So what about learning new skills with a shunting turn on a diesel.

 

spindizzy wrote

snip

And that of course was the WHOLE point of running the charter.

As of course that outfit would anywhere. That day was a celebration and thank you by the C73LPC the owners of which are/were also connected to the GN saloon.

Incidently, the owners of 'Percy' paid the BB for 'track access' on that day.

 

They've already been doing that but steam shunting is to be reintroduced. I doubt the Bluebell has taken this decision lightly. Diesels have their place in preservation but that does not mean that *every* heritage line has to run diesel services or even be a home to one.

 

Don't forget the reciprocal, the GN saloon with Percy for the Howlden Trust. The trust got use of the loco free, as did the loco group get use of the saloon free the weekend after. On both occasions the railway was paid for track access....

 

About the only skill you would learn on a diesel shunt would be braking and where the key goes.
With steam you would learn boiler control, regulator control as well as braking.
It's also a lot more physical so good for your health. ;-)

 

So does that mean that when only one service is operating like this week with one engine that they have to have two locos in steam? one as a standby.
If that's the case then perhaps a diesal on standby is the answer to save firing up another engine!
Regards,Tim

 

Not really true though is it? What about controlling loose coupled wagons and learning how to handle unbraked trains, correct intepretation of hand signals, not to mention the mechanical aspect of preparing the loco (yes, even diseasals need preparing!). Yes I'd rather be doing it with a steamer but even so there are different skills to be learned.

 

I do beg your pardon. I'd forgotten all about the Autumn Tint trains which are indeed a one train service.