Cathedrals express - 21 July

There are several paths on the ECML which are not used on anything like a daily basis so it's a pity one of them couldn't be used for steam runs.

 

If not then they should not have accepted this tour when the specification was delivered to them several months ago. Just total incompetence, no other excuse.

 

That is the problem of course but a couple I can think of are used so infrequently that it would be long odds on the train running on the same day as a steam special using the "spare" path and if that did happen then the situation isn't so very different to what we have now, i.e. late cancellation.

 

To organise a railtour on a path which might be taken back by the "owner" at the last minute seems a risky way of doing business. Or maybe the operators don't have any other options/paths?

Richard

 

I think the key words here are from Steam Dreams " no availiable path in the new timetable" does this mean an end to all mid week steam to York? Surely Bittern with two tenders can be found a path?

 

Just seen the news that the tour tomorrow is cancelled. We are booked on the Friday 30th September Cathedral Express, also to York from Kings Cross with "Bitten" out and "Sir Nigel" back. As others have said, I assume this tour is now in serious doubt?

 

I believe the 30 September and 24 November tours to York may be rescheduled to weekend dates, although there is no confirmation of this at the moment.

 

According to an article in today's Yorkshire Post the request for a path from SD was only booked 4 weeks ago. Under the circumstances NR said it was impossible to accomodate them due to heavy use of the ECML in these summer months at such short notice.

 

Can I remind people, it's not the promoter who asks for the paths, it's the TOC, The promoter does not have a contract with NR. SD have been advertising this train since Autumn 2010.

 

You're right, an early morning post...........brain not up to speed...