VT Shap, S&C Double-Header with 5043 and 6201 - March 10th 2012

I detest the word 'compensation' with a vengeance. Especially when it's used on this thread and in this tone. We all read rules and conditions before booking any travel...don't we ?

 

Nothing like a nice friendly and polite request is there.....

And the above is none of the three!

 

I just want to see a level playing field as it seems that, on here, VT can do no wrong. Had it been an RTC or SD tour which had similar problems, certain people on here would be up in arms. In a similar situation, I'm sure SD would have offered compensation (RTC, I admit, probably wouldn't!)

As it happens, I believe that VT probably did the best they could in the situation (as Bob and Ben have explained). I suppose that's the thing - by explaining why decisions were made, people are more willing to accept them. Oher promoters explain things in letters to passengers (i.e. the people who really matter) and by making announcements on the trains, so their comments do not appear on here. Even so there are still people who will never understand the reasons why certain things have to be the way they are (like the chap on Saturday's SD tour to Plymputh who couldn't understand why they couldn't have double-headed Tornado with "one of Tyseley's Halls").

 

The difference in tone is because the issues that affected 6201/5043 on Saturday arose on the day and during the tour - and were remarkably competently addressed

The issues that infuriate are the completely avoidable nonsenses arising from pppp such as promising motive power that isn't available or hasn't even been booked, the incompetence of Network Rail's ability to time, or gauge routes, and rolling stock that alternatively freezes or fries, all of which are avoidable if professional standards were to be applied.

But if an OP says that on NP - watch out - The RTCPS will be along shortly - eh Ray?

 

Many thanks Acorb, Ralph and Ben for commenting on Pic. Apologies in delay of saying thanks as i just got back after a 2 day job which was only a couple of miles from where shot was taken after i had driven home...typical!!

I do have to agree that 5043 fitted in quite well with the surroundings, another return visit would be nice i think. And finally to Ben, that new white roof aint going to be staying like that for long is it with all the usual fireworks being produced from up front

Cheers

 

I was not having a "pop" at the 6201 Society. I've been on enough tours and had enough failures to know that sometimes these things happen, but leaving aside the coal/water situation, this tour was advertised as steam-hauled from Crewe to Carlisle via Shap and back via the S&C and Manchester, but before the tour ran Crewe to Carnforth was lost and it was re-routed away from Manchester, albeit with the bonus of steam from Crewe to Bescot (which, in the event, was diesel-piloted). As such, the tour was not what was advertised, and as I say, had it been another promoter, I feel that the reaction on here may have been a bit different. I will say that I've travelled on a number of excellent tours with VT, just as I have been on good and bad tours with other promoters - it's just that the "Vintage Trains can do no wrong" attitude on this forum does get to me sometimes.

 

Sorry I didn't get back on this before now, internet problems in my area I was informed today by some nice person who I spoke to at Virgin broadband after having a couple of days of being online for about 30 seconds at a time...

I think it may be something to do with me using a trial version of Cyberlink Powerdirector10 and trying the MPG4 format to produce the video which seems to have improved quality but put a wide black frame around the video. I was about to buy it online on Monday afternoon (£67) but decided to have a look around the net to see if I could get it cheaper anywhere and found it new and boxed with 180 page instruction manual for £40 delivered so promptly ordered and it arrived today... :thumb:

I will have a go with it over the weekend and see if it does what it says on the tin.

Neil.

 

VT are both proactive and reactive to publicity, events and issues when it comes to the needs of there passengers, even more so than other promoters and especially on this forum.

Its not that they can do no wrong, but how they react to it. (and that they immediately do react to it, and the pro action in keeping information flowing beforehand).
That has to be viewed positively when compared to there peers.

VT in that regard are a good benchmark that others should be encouraged to follow, rather than knocking them for daring to be better than others.

 

Malc has asked for a refund to cover the failure of a loco, the route change, the shortened length of steam running and the extended length of diesel haulage.

Fair's fair so what will be his reaction when Ben asks for an increased fare because of the single Castle run over the S&C - which IMHO was an unexpected bonus that the tour participants didn't pay for but which increased costs to the operators hence needs to be recovered.

Methinks one balances t'other and therefore honours even !

 

Malc, Sorry it has taken a while to respond.

If you were a passenger on the trip, then you need to call the office.

If not, then this is none of your business, nor a subject for a public forum.

To date we have had only positive reactions from the passengers.

 

Last time I checked, Tyseley only has one Hall, 4965. Kinlet is privately owned.

3 reasons 4965 couldn't double-head with Tornado. 1 - as a rule we don't lend our engines to other operators. 2 - 4965 isn't air-braked and as a consequence 3 - it cant be operated by DBS.

 

Ralph, when we changed the route to avoid Manchester and increased the diesel portion on the outbound, if any passenger asked for a refund or credit note, we would have obliged.

I did discuss it with a couple of passengers, but when I explained why we made the changes, they were satisfied.

So far we have had nothing but praise from the passengers for 5043's run over Ais Gil and the way the issues were handled. The only grumble of note was the shortened photo/water stop at Appleby.

I am not an expert on Axle boxes, but after hearing what happened I will offer that this was a failure that could not be predicted nor prevented by increased maintenance. We hold 6201PELS and their engine in the highest regard and will continue to work with them as often as possible.

 

So would I. I do not think that is the case at present. I have travelled on many tours with VT, SD and RTC.

If it was RTC, they would definetly been up in arms.

Agreed.

 

While Vintage Trains keep people informed on this forum. I would consider that Steam Dreams keep the passengers best informed during the trip, although VT are not far behind.