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Cumbrian Mountain Express - October 16th/23rd

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Big Al, Oct 7, 2013.

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  1. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    With the RTC saying that Galatea is confirmed for the first and Scots Guardsman for the second of these Shap/S & C trips from London, both offer a decent day out with two interesting locos.

    RTT has timings up for the 16th. As expected, the loco change on the way back is at Farington Junction not Preston.
     
    Big Al, Oct 7, 2013
    #1
  2. banana patch

    banana patch Member

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    You are right but the 0626 from Euston I s just too early for me unless extra 15 mins for Scots guardsman then yes!
     
    banana patch, Oct 8, 2013
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  3. D7076

    D7076 Well-Known Member

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    So book on the strength of email stating 45699 is confirmed and the tickets arrive saying 46115 on 16th......
     
    D7076, Oct 9, 2013
    #3
  4. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    !!! Yes. So the original web site publicity says that it'll be either Leander or Galatea. The RTC helpfully confirms for everyone just 5 days ago that it'll be Galatea. They change their website to reflect the change. I book on the basis that they have now confirmed the locomotive, as that's what I want, and today I get a ticket saying that it'll be Scots Guardsman!!!

    You know, some things never change and the golden rule, it seems - and I really should have learned it by now - is that you should never trust anything that is said by people at Carnforth about their locomotives and their availability.

    And before anyone says that the change is because of a problem with Galatea after the Welsh Borders last Saturday then can I add that it would be great if one of their LMS locos could go out more than once without something going wrong....

    Sorry. End of rant and I'm sure it'll be a great day out with SG......if it turns up.
     
    Big Al, Oct 9, 2013
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  5. 6:05 special

    6:05 special Well-Known Member Loco Owner

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    Well me to . When RTC confirmed only 5 days ago that it would be Galatea I booked primarily to experience Galatea over Shap. Anyone any idea what is wrong with it. Maybe it could still turn up especially as the train is now advertised as running behind Scots Guardsman. I have no issues if it is Scots Guardsman, just disappointed it is not Galatea.
     
    6:05 special, Oct 9, 2013
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  6. camraman

    camraman Member

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    So it's anyone's guess what will be on the 23rd run. I shall be more than a bit miffed if it's neither of the two mentioned.
     
    camraman, Oct 9, 2013
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  7. malc

    malc Part of the furniture

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    Has anyone actually contacted RTC about this? It wouldn't be the first time that the loco shown on the ticket letter is wrong (I think I had one during the summer which showed the wrong Black 5).
     
    malc, Oct 10, 2013
    #7
  8. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    The RTC says that Galatea had been confirmed last week but it's now Scots Guardsman because of a problem - surprise, surprise - with Galatea after last weekend. They hope she will be available for the 23rd but cannot guarantee it.

    It would have helped if the booking information had actually said something like "We are pleased to confirm Scots Guardsman and apologise that the previously confirmed locomotive, Galatea, is now unavailable following its last outing". But that said, I am pleased that the RTC is now passing on more information to its customers and potential customers and sadly, even though they try and do the right thing, they are powerless when the locomotives they use seem unreliable. So whilst it's not good for business and doesn't necessarily guarantee you seats, I think the best approach if loco and route really matter is to turn up on the day and also assume that "all bets are off" with anything LMS out of Carnforth.

    It's still a good day out from London and it'll also be good to have another try with SG as the last time she was fine until she failed....
     
    Big Al, Oct 10, 2013
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  9. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Have no fear the spy will have some info tomorrow...:rolleyes:
     
    RalphW, Oct 10, 2013
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  10. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    A return to Plan Galate(A) would be the preferred option but hey, it's the right kind of engine in the right place.
     
    Big Al, Oct 10, 2013
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  11. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Email from RTC this afternoon starting 45655 Galatea (sic) has valve problems, so 46115 will work the train on the 16th, with the Jubilee working the 23rd.
     
    5944, Oct 10, 2013
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  12. camraman

    camraman Member

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    I've always had problems with nines and fives too
     
    camraman, Oct 10, 2013
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  13. 44713

    44713 New Member

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    Oh, I get it!! Only certain people are allowed to be critical of WCR!! Oh, silly me, and here's me thinking that NP is a bastion of free speech!! I should have know better! Doh!! Otherwise none of my posts would have been pulled!!

    If this is gone by morning - and I only hope somebody spots this before then - then you will know that free speech on NP is not possible - especially if it's critical of operations at Carnforth....

    TAKE NOTE!!!!
     
    44713, Oct 11, 2013
    #13
  14. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    44713,
    You may be surprised to learn that as on most forums, what is published is at the discretion of the staff, so abusive, insulting and posts likely to bring the forum into disrepute will be pulled, it is not open house for abuse, unsubstantiated claims and insults.
    Free speech OK, criticism, OK, but as long as it is reasonable and measured, but slagging off because you have an issue with a person or business is just not allowed, particularly from behind an alias. Some tolerance is given but when continually repeated then it goes.
     
    RalphW, Oct 11, 2013
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  15. CALEDONIA

    CALEDONIA New Member

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    I appreciate that folk may be disappointed with Galatea not appearing, we should be grateful for David Smith and his employees actually getting the loco into a fit and running condition. Its a miracle that she really has returned from the grave, having seen the wreck she was 20 years ago, l for one never expected to see her run again. Lets not forget that she is basically a brand new loco and however good the rebuilding of her has been there are going to be running in issues, West Coast have done a superb job on her and given time she will be a superb loco, The scot is not a bad substitute for this train, people need to remember that if it wasn't for West Coast we would probably have very little to enjoy on the mainline.
     
    CALEDONIA, Oct 11, 2013
    #15
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  16. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Absolutely right and all credit where it is due. On the other hand, if it wasn't for West Coast........(and other people can now give alternative endings to that sentence!)....:)
     
    Big Al, Oct 12, 2013
    #16
  17. gricerdon

    gricerdon Guest

    yes indeed Al. I am hoping that it will get used on the Winter CMEs as the start time is a bit more civilised and the drive to Watford a bit easier on Saturdays.

    Din
     
    gricerdon, Oct 13, 2013
    #17
  18. 6:05 special

    6:05 special Well-Known Member Loco Owner

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    fully agreed given the condition it was in 20 yrs ago, it is nothing short of a miracle this engine has reappeared and is bound to incur teething problems, any machine with a similar history would. It is still effectively running in. Like you I firmly believe it will in time settle down to become a superb engine.
     
    6:05 special, Oct 13, 2013
    #18
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  19. camraman

    camraman Member

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    Times are on RTT for 16th, so I guess they will be the same for 23rd.
     
    camraman, Oct 14, 2013
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  20. camraman

    camraman Member

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    Is this the invisible train? Nothing else today and not a peep.
     
    camraman, Oct 16, 2013
    #20
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