False Starts - a recurrent theme ?

With the news of 70000's broken spring still fresh I'm reminded of the last "exceptional double header" which never was back in March.

Set me thinking whether planning such trains is a mistake as fate always seems to intervene.

Maybe if someone had planned to run 71000 with something completely inappropriate, we might have actually seen the classic combination to which we were all looking forward.

 

Agreed. It should be two Britannias and a DoG triple header.

 

lol, that was almost funny !

 

Well if China Rail can use three QJs on Zhongwei bank why cant we have three BR Pacifics on Dainton?

 

a Brit and DoG would be overkill in most places but on this itinery it really isn't, really you need at least class 12 (ie 5 + 7)power to get load 12/13 to Plymouth.

 

Yes, and last time there was a Tamar Devonian, it was 14 coaches.

 

I agree with healthy debate also but it's still baffled me as to why you posted a question like that. To me, if the charter business had that attitude then nothing would run or even allow people to get excited about things in the industry and possible tours etc.

You say you know how important it is to remember the customer is king etc which is fine and I agree with some of the principles you've stated on other threads but posting a question to the level you have there is well, mind boggling in my opinion but then it might just be me, I guess it may well be another case of agreeing to disagree!

 

I agree it's a controversial question but sometimes that kind of question has to asked to get people thinking. There have been a number of Railtours advertised to run on dates, and wiith locos, which in the knowledge of some I suspect have no chance of being ready to run by the date concerned. I can't prove that happens obviously, but I would put it to you, and others, that as enthusiasts we should be aware of too many occurrences of this nature, as whatever the reasons behind them, it's not healthy for the industry, or the past time from which we enjoy so much pleasure.

We are singing from the same hymn sheet pretty much I'd say. Maybe I'm just a cynic but life and work experience has taught me that's often the best way to be while there's an element of doubt, and opportunities to mislead at play.