STEAM TOUR CANCELLATIONS‏ AND POSTPONEMENTS ETC.

Not the impression you get when you read #77.

 

There are so many highs and lows with mainline steam tours. If what you have been told Ralph W, this is a massive low. If DBS charters are cancelled for the rest of this month, what is to stop them being cancelled into October, November and December.

I posted earlier that this action could cause serious financial harm to Steam Dreams but that suggestion was poo-pooed by some but now the action of ASLEF is going to hit hard.

This really is now serious. Steam Dreams has a contract with DBS. No crews, no trains. As simple as that. No trains, no revenue. No revenue, lay off staff and cash flow issues. Cash flow issues, and creditors don't get paid.

This is more serious that any of us can imagine.

There is a much bigger picture unfolding here and there could be casualties.

Let us hope that the dispute is quickly resolved and we can get back to normal.

DBS representatives including drivers who post here regularly, such as Wayne of Eastleigh MPD, are conspicuous by their silence. And that worries me. Yes, DBS steam crews are very dedicated and put in great performances but I would have thought that a contribution from someone at DBS as to what is going on, would be very welcome.

Sadly, we are entering dark times unless someone pulls their finger out and gets it sorted.

Nick

 

Hopefully this move will still happen as its due to be dragged by a diesel.

 

Torbay Express website (updated Monday) says Sunday's trip is running. Tickets arrived yesterday so fingers crossed.

 

A source on another site has 2 Pathfinder,5 VSOE,2 UKRailtours,& 1 Branchline trips also affected I guess they are mostly diesel charters.
Colin.

 

the 2 pathfinder trips are the Scenic Settler (Class 70) and the Solent Pacific (steam). Pathfinders have done a full report on there news section as to why these tours have been cancelled and hope to re-run next year.
On another note, one of my friends was down for the Norwich - Sailsbury trip and emailed SD to find out what was happening, told him it was cancelled and that if the problems aren't sorted out by Christmas, there'll be looking for a new TOC.. Dont know if this is true but it seems reasonable.

 

Just because one person contacted SD before SD had contacted him does not mean they were not going to do so. Don't foregt that SD will have first had do decide on what alternative options they can offer (e.g. postponement rather than cancellation) before preparing a letter explaining the situation and sending it out a couple of hundred copies to the passengers booked on the train.

 

Potentially the long term way out for SD it to become a TOC, or maybe encourage JH to form a TOC.
DRS could potentially gain a steam safety case, as could DCR for railtours.

It all depends on if the projected ROI is there for the work, the fact EWS has selected charters as a market business to axe during the dispute suggests there's not a lot in it for them compared to other areas of their business.

 

Whatever the final outcome, Thursday's trip was cancelled & that is what intending passengers needed to know with immediate effect either by phone or email.. Any re-arranging or alternatives could be sorted out afterwards.

 

With all this going on, it is ironic I had the SD Autumn/Christmas brochure in the post yesterday!
If the Euston-SVR trip runs on the 22nd, I wonder what is going to haul it? 6201 is down for it, but it obviously won't be that.

 

"Obviously"? Not obvious to me, I'm afraid. Have I missed something? Please explain.

 

Hasn't it been taken out of service? Has not done a run since the Royal Train a couple of months ago I believe?
A bit here.



http://railways.national-preservati...1s-boiler-good-through-december-2012-a-5.html

 

Does anyone know what's happening with the Torbay on the 16th ?, other DBS tours have cancelled next to them on UKSteam, but this one doesn't (so far anyway).

 

Is there anyway promoters can get together and try and force the issue (perhaps legally) with DBS ?, I understand why the drivers are taking industrial action, but non the less there's a good chance some tour promoters may not survive this, coulden't they argue loss of earnings is putting their business under threat ?.

It's also another reason why a third Steam TOC is needed, currently you either wait (perhaps till your promoters death) till DBS sort themselves out, or your at the mercy of WCRC, assuming they are in a position to help you out (doubtfull in every case, they only have so many resources themselves) they have to be satisified with the spec your asking for.

 

I'm not sure that it's as definite as that. True, Lizzie missed 2 turns for SD in August, but she was seriously considered as a late-notice guest at the MHR gala (platform width - or the lack of - at Aldershot prevented that). I share your doubts about whether she'll work the SVR & Cheltenham trip, and there's some speculation and innuendo flying around, but nothing I've read around here nor elsewhere says authoritativley that Lizzie has been withdrawn yet. Perhaps her owners are worried about the number of steamings and be saving her for her final fling over Shap in November?

Maybe we should continue this discussion in Lizzie's thread under Steam Traction?

 

I highly doubt that, if a loco was in such a state that your worried about too many steamings/mileages, it should be nowhere near the mainline and I doubt would pass an FTR exam.

 

Thankyou Martin, I thought it was for a length of time in error.