Steam Dreams Banbury - Swanage 19th April 2012

From Steam Dreams Twitter feed a few minutes ago

 

Why are FTR's undertaken at the last minute? Does not allow for any unforeseen problems & the chance to organise something else. Regarding this one, wouldn't it be better to cancel or at least re-schedule. I know why, if cancelled SD are obliged to give full refunds, if pulled by a box they spout the small print & at the best give a partial refund or voucher. There is no way I would book on a steam tour & got pulled by a box, I would accept nothing less than a full refund. Back to that old trades description act /sale of goods act chestnut again. How many passengers are going to turn up tomorrow & see a box turn up without warning? Which is most likely going to happen.

EDIT. Just seen 5944's post, but what I said still applies in the worst case scenario.

 

Because an FTR is only valid until a steam loco next drops its fire, and the loco needs to have support crew in attendance when in steam.

Steven

 

Anyone know what the problem is with Lizzie ?.

 

Oh please please please!!! ray:

Phoned SD, office closed. Nothing on website or in my inbox. How many passengers Twitter? - not this one that's for sure :noidea:

 

fingers crossed that they can get bitten up and running in time doe's any one know were the stock is coming from;
i do hope we have some form of steam;

 

I think the stock is coming from Southall as that's where it returns tonight. Bittern is at Southall so I guess it will be ready and attached to the back of the ECS for the run from Southall to Banbury, if its ready in time. Don't know how an engine can be prepped and support crew found in such as short space of time. Really will be good going if they can pull it off.

 

I am not sure of the circumstances in this case, but the train operator's independent FTR examination must be done within a prescribed time (not more than 24 hours ?) before the run. It is intended to provide the train operator with final assurance that the loco is ready and fit for use. Failing an FTR is actually quite rare. Normally it is the support crew's responsibility to monitor the condition of the loco (and the paperwork) in good time, and either attend to any repairs before submitting it for FTR examination, or else withdraw it from service. Hopefully in the latter case it will be done in time for the tour promoter to make other arrangements.

David

 

Such a shame this is. Organisers have taken a lot of knocks and revamps to get this show on the road and at the last minute, the star drops out. I agree with above though, that it will be a incredible if they manage to get Bittern to substitute at such short notice. Is that really on ??????????????? Assume she would have to be tested aswel ???

 

UK Steam now showing 60019/TBA.

Bittern had an FTR on Sunday at Barrowhill, but I don't know if the fire's been out since - I would think so.

 

Steam Locos need an FTR before every job, FTR lasts for 24 hours. The FTR can take place a few hours before the locos leaves depot, subject to availability of Examiner. DBS have a small pool of Steam Loco FTR examiners.

 

Fingers crossed for Bittern and it's FTR tonight, it will be taking place at Midnight so let's hope all is well.

An FTR can also last for a maximum of 48 hours depending on the type of moves involved, a trip & a light engine move for example can take place under the same exam authorisation if longer than 24 hours but if an engine stops and the fire is dropped then a new FTR is required, hence Bittern having a new FTR tonight.

Still planning a trip to Shawford tomorrow night!

 

Got a message this afternoon that 6201 had failed its FTR and that 4464 will replace her.
All the paperwork for the revised trip (with 4464) has been e-mailed to me, ready for tomorrow.
This includes all the restrictions for 4464 (which differ from 6201).
Most were as I expected except a 5 mph has crept in from somewhere at Whitchurch, not a speed I would like as we are usually building up there for our run up to Grately. This will knock the stuffing out of us!
I'm Basingstoke - Swanage - Basingstoke tomorrow with Rob Binsted.
Not looking forward to 55 miles plus tender first running, particulary if the weather is the same as today.

 

Thanks Wayne! Great to hear 4464 confirmed from those at the sharp end (and nice to have a loco with a 'sharp end' come to that!).

Fingers crossed for the FTR tonight, and a big thanks to everyone involved in attempting to pull this one out of the fire, hope it comes off.

 

Thanks wayne for up date fingers crossed she passed her F.T.R. last night off to banbury in a bit as car parking is a pain
at banbury see you on board later;

all the best
jane;

 

Bittern currently sat in Banbury so passed FTR all ok.

 

A big "well done" to all concerned, and a big thank you to Wayne for taking the time to comment on here. Fabulous stuff by all parties

 

May I second this, it would have been so easy for SD to hold up their hands and say "Due to problems beyond our control this trip will be Diesel hauled". Instead all parties have worked to provide steam haulage in an almost impossible time scale, a fantastic achievement by all concerned.

 

Underway with one of Gresley's finest up front. 7 late ex Banbury, on time ex Tackley. Fantastic job SD et al.

 

Big well done to all concerned - very fortunate that 4464 would still be warm from the move back from Barrow Hill -you'd have never steamed a cold loco in that time!

Hope all goes well and those on board have a good day and some inkling of what must have been involved to provide them with steam today!

Steven