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Cathedrals Express 6233 to Bristol 7th October

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by alastair, Oct 3, 2010.

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  1. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    With regard the second tender, after reading the above posts, and checking where the trip to Sherborne behind Oliver Cromwell down the Portsmouth direct watered last year the second tender might have been required due to the pathing problems.

    On the Sherborne trip water was taken at Petersfield, Botley, and Sailsbury outward, and Salisbury, Botley, and Haslemere on the return.

    Earlier on this thread it was stated that due to pathing problems they could not pickup Petersfield outward, and Haslemere on the return.

    There was also mention of weight restrictions, I wonder if these would ave affected Tangmere which was originally rostered for this trip?
     
  2. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I think you've got it right. The train is filled up based on a different loco that wouldn't have presented the weight problems. Bittern is rostered but it needs the extra water capacity as the pathing doesn't give enough time for stops. Therefore the train gets too heavy and the diesel has to be added to keep time. Such is life and the trip quickly becomes something that the public might still like (because of the destination) but not enthusiasts. But by then it was too late.
     
  3. alastair

    alastair Well-Known Member

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    Would completely agree with you on this. Lets remember Bittern was the fourth loco to be rostered for this one. OK,a few passengers(including many on this forum!)would probably have liked to have the option to cancel had they known how much pushing the box was going to do,but SD are running a business.From personal observation and chatting to people I would say 80/85% of passengers on this trip were Mr & Mrs Joe Public and SD had no option but to run the trip as they did.
     
  4. dp266

    dp266 Member Account Suspended

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    I can buy this. However operators should be open and transparent with the paying customer. It costs very little to issue a leaflet explaining that the original booked loco was unavilable and the replacement is not as powerfull for the load booked and as a result at times there will be assistance from a diesel. Also stating that this was preferable to cancelling the trip totally.
     
  5. buseng

    buseng Part of the furniture

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    Don't forget the original loco for this was 34067, less powerful than a A4.
     
  6. dp266

    dp266 Member Account Suspended

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    I was trying to be concilliatory. I guess then that the load was unreasonable from the start then or did they expand capacity thinking that 6233 was available?
     
  7. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    I get the impression the load was increased when 6233 was rostered as when we booked (by post) there were only a few seats left on the SD site. After we had booked up it was no longer possible to book on the internet. Then it said on the website phone the office as they had limited availability. (People also managed to get seats on the day and this caused some problems with double-bookings.) This suggests an extra carriage was added.

    The "dates" page of the SD site also listed 6233 as working the trip right up to the day of operation. It was only when you clicked on the details page that 60019 was shown as the motive power. Anyway that's all in the past as they say. Here's to the next "steam/diesel unit" railtour (sarcasm hard at work in this final comment)................
     
  8. Oakfield

    Oakfield Guest

    I am not passing judgement either way here, however please remember that any tour which terminates @ Waterloo is almost bound to have a Diesel on the back!
     
  9. Enterprise

    Enterprise Part of the furniture

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    Since when?
     
  10. Oakfield

    Oakfield Guest

    Just look back at this year and last. The signalling at Waterloo will not allow a Diesel to drop on the back to haul the stock out if it would end up beyond the starting signal. Load 10 +POB plus loco leads to this situation , let alone last weeks monster load. hence most tours terminating @ Waterloo end up with a Diesel on the rear to drag the ECS out.
     
  11. dp266

    dp266 Member Account Suspended

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    Surely whether the box is on when the train arrives, it will be the same length as droppng in it on the back after arrival. It will be beyond the starting signal either way.
     
  12. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    The issue is to do with calling a DL into Platform 19 when there is a train in there already. Issue doesn't arise if it's already connected.
     
  13. Enterprise

    Enterprise Part of the furniture

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    Loco + 11 often run into Waterloo without a box coupled on the back. I think it is loco + 12 that might cause a problem.
     
  14. Enterprise

    Enterprise Part of the furniture

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  15. dp266

    dp266 Member Account Suspended

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    So with the right load the box is not needed!
     
  16. KentYeti

    KentYeti Guest

    Others will know for certain. But I think with 11 on, platform 16 can be used. Which does have a calling on signal for the box. More than 11 cars and it's platform 19. No calling on signal for the box, so the box sits on the back of the train all day.
     
  17. Oakfield

    Oakfield Guest

    I understand that Saturdays London Explorer with 6233 will have a Diesel on the back all day. (Please do not shoot the messenger:sad::tape:)
     
  18. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    How else do you get the train back out of the station, it's not just a short set back to the stabling point, and it is probably not viable to have a diesel standing by outside Euston to do the job.
     
  19. Oakfield

    Oakfield Guest

    Totally agree. This is another issue which needs to be understood. The way Networkrail charges it costs far more for a Diesel to follow 'one section behind' as BR sometimes arranged in the days of Bernard Staite and David Ward than attached to the rear of the train.

    I was not criticising, rather making a plain statement of fact. Having been involved with Main Line steam for many years I am totally aware of the realities of the situation.
     
  20. dp266

    dp266 Member Account Suspended

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    Probably on because 6233 cannot heat the train and it is getting a bit chilly now...

    Will they address that when 6233 is overhauled?
     
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