2012 TBEL charters from Poole.

More disappointment for the retired folk from Poole and surrounding areas.

THE BATH SPA EXPRESS 5th December. Poole-Bristol (EH01) [dbs]
70000 (ex Poole) Steam from Salisbury-Bath-Bristol-Salisbury-Poole

Thanks to uksteam. <BJ>

 

Could this change be due to Tangmere's unhappy encounter with leaves on Parkstone Bank earlier this month?

 

Ah well some you win etc - was looking forward to hearing the Brit storm up Parkstone bank again but at least it appears to be running! I was fully expecting there to be a class 66 or 67 on the back end all day. Or could it be something to do with the fact that the Brit is still at Bristol?? Bring the Brit across to Salisbury same day?? There are confirmed timings on the TBEL website and they have been there for a few days Dick

 

I doubt if that is the problem after witnessing Britannia with 12 coaches in tow accelerating up a wet and slippery Filton Bank on Saturday. <BJ>

 

UK steam states "driver shortage."

 

The tour has now been cancelled. Possibly punters cancelling due to the loss of the Poole to Salisbury steam section or the DBS train operator unable to supply train drivers?

I wonder how often the Eddie Stobart road haulage company cancels truck deliveries due to a lack of drivers?

What a shambles. <BJ>

 

From the website : - "LACK OF TRAIN DRIVERS FORCES CANCELLATION OF THE BATH SPA CHRISTMAS EXPRESS


Unfortunately, the Bath Spa Christmas Express excursion on 5th December is being affected by the continuing shortage of train drivers working for the train operating company DB Schenker, who were to operate the train for us. Despite trying every avenue open to them DB Schenker advised us yesterday afternoon (Thursday 29th November) that they cannot provide enough drivers to successfully get our train from Poole to Bath/Bristol and back.


Therefore, this situation has forced us to reluctantly withdraw the excursion from the programme. We fully appreciate just how disappointing and upsetting this is for passengers booked to travel on this train and can only offer our sincere apologies for having to make this decision. A letter was sent to passengers on 29th November advising them of this situation.


We are very unhappy at this situation and once again offer our profuse apologies for this highly disappointing development over which, frustratingly, we have no control."

 

About sums up the year for TBEL trips from Poole to finish with a cancellation - what looked to be a good programme for 2012 has been decimated for various reasons - sad to say I was disappointed but not overly surprised - DBS seem to be in a right pickle and I wonder how much of the steam business they are going to manage to keep in future years if they don't get this issue sorted. Hope that TBEL will come back for 2013 but time will tell Dick

 

Come back BR, all is forgiven!

 

The TBEL website has recently been updated explainng the circumstances behind the cancellation of the Bath Christmas Market trips in November and early December:- https://www.torbayexpress.co.uk/index.php/LatestNews.html It does not make for happy reading, and one feels for the company who have had to contact potential customers on several occasions with the news that the train on which they booked has been cancelled.

I guess that with Braunton completed, the locomotive availability issue should improve in 2013, but the big question is that after all the frustration they have faced over the running of these trains in 2012, will TBEL try again with steam from Poole and Bournmeouth next year? I hope so, especially with 34046 (ex-Bournemouth) being a most appropriate engine to use, but I wouldn't blame them for calling it a day after all the let-downs these last few months.

 

I can think of 3 steam men at Eastleigh (Wayne, Mick & Rob) sounds lke a crew and a half! Any more?