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Network Rail Timings

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by Big Al, May 22, 2013.

  1. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Question. Is Network Rail trying to make it difficult for steam charters by stealth? I ask because of the fact that both SD and RTC report very late timings again and also not to their requests. The Explorer suffered at the hands of NR over their daily schedules and the Anniversary Fenman has now been given a 7 am start,

    Discuss
     
    Big Al, May 22, 2013
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  2. andrewtoplis

    andrewtoplis Well-Known Member

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    No, Network Rail are trying to balance the many competing demands on the modern railway network and cannot always give tour operators what they would always like?
     
    andrewtoplis, May 22, 2013
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  3. david1984

    david1984 Resident of Nat Pres

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    I seem to recall some timings were very late in being produced and not very good paths at around this time last year too, I recall being told this time is a very busy one for the planning dept with additional extra's (think Footex's to Wembley for the various finals and similar trains) and some staff starting to take annual leave as the weather improves so resources are stretched more than other times.
     
    david1984, May 22, 2013
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  4. buseng

    buseng Part of the furniture

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    buseng, May 22, 2013
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  5. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I can quite understand that. However, both SD and RTC would be daft, borne on previous experiences, to give indicative times that were nowhere near what had been provisionally agreed. The Fenman in particular is a long way adrift. In any case, there is no excuse for NR failing to provide timely information. It's almost as though they are oblivious to the fact that people need to be told what time their train is running so they can plan their journey and, if it becomes necessary, accommodation. If NR hasn't the staff to handle the workload then the solution is straightforward.
     
    Big Al, May 23, 2013
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  6. david1984

    david1984 Resident of Nat Pres

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    That's a fair point, although I can understand NR's point, tour passengers are not a freight load where the schedule can be cobbled together at the last second and not be an issue, I'm quite lucky in that Vintage Trains HQ is a 20 min walk away and any other promoters tours I book on, always have a Birmingham pick up, different story for someone who live in a rural Oxfordshire Village for example.
     
    david1984, May 23, 2013
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