CME 2023

If only everyone knew just how hard it is to operate steam on the mainline in 2023!

On the face of it the current fire risk is low but the reality is somewhat different. Operators have responsibilities towards each other and the p way provider. It currently quite strangely falls in the grey area between 'show pony' and normal running. Look at how 45231 was worked yesterday for a clue. You can't just set fire to the world and then say its not our fault, it doesn't work like that.

Nobody sets out to give customers a crap day out, that wouldn't be a very good business model would it? We have steam because there are a few people around who want it to be and they want it to be good but it has to be balanced against the realism of operating in the current times.

 

Can I like this more than once please?

 

A trip having a diesel on the back and then, after it broke down, being allowed to continue without it rather than having to wait for ages for a replacement epitomises the grey area.

 

But if you look at it from an infrastructure viewpoint, the climb on the WCML had already been accomplished. Down hill to Carlisle and then the S & C where if something did happen the risk to NR infrastructure would be less, is a risk assessment decision.
In aviation terms that is a little like when the LAX to LHR flight lost an engine shortly after take off and the captain decided to continue (safely) to LHR.
Of course armchair and keyboard "experts" castigated that decision as well.
Maybe next time a replacement diesel should be waited for and everyone of those 300 "who had their day spoiled" can get back about 4 hours late. I am sure all 300 would prefer that.

 

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion - and on an open forum able to express it - one or two post’s however have been a bit too personal for my liking and dare I say bordering on vicious.

We all share a passion for Steam (in what ever form it comes in) - maybe we should all remember that before attacking each other over that person’s opinions.

It’s not a points scoring contest - no one wins.

 

Why does expressing a contrary opinion get taken as an attack on the original opinion? I know the internet seems to portray everything as black or white, or good or bad, but disagreeing with someones opinion is surely just a disagreement rather than an attack. As you say we are all entitled to our opinions and by the same token we can express our opinions of the opinions of others. It does not mean that hostility is involved.

Peter

 

‘Sir I might not necessarily agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it’

 

You are the most patronising person I've ever had the misfortune to read posts from. When have I ever said I don't understand things can change at the last minute? It's happened to us well over 50 times in our touting history. I asked for the reasons to be communicated to the passengers by someone from the TOC. Is that unreasonable? You know nothing about me. I contribute a decent amount of money regularly to the 60007 group and bought flue tubes to help the restoration. Like many of the members I'm really disappointed seeing No7 run as a show pony. It's a beautiful powerful locomotive and such a shame to see how it's running at present.

 

Fair enough if you think I’m being patronising, I don’t mean too, but I really think you should have a look at some of your previous posts and maybe re read and see how you come across as to how you might be seen?
Can I respectfully remind you, you also don’t know me and some of my own endeavours with what I’ve done as regards to our heritage movement.

 

Anyone got the heads up for the loco from 'the pool' for Saturday 15 July train? If it's 46115 then two Scots passing somewhere near Appleby!
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U55479/2023-07-15/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U55480/2023-07-15/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U91399/2023-07-15/detailed

 

Galatea I believe

 

Or is it running as 45743 Nonsuch Islands? Thanks.

 

Oxenholme.

 

Looped at Tebay. It’s just started to rain…

 

It’s just departed the loop .

 

45699 near Holme

 

The on board stewards indicated steaming issues.

 

Low boiler pressure apparently , info from onboard contact .