PMR Tours 2017

From email received this morning : -

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Disappointing in one way. We were rather looking forward to the 2 day Perth tour this year. We were among the many who booked last year's that got pulled because of 'lack of stock'. Nothing as adventurous from the three above. On the other hand it's good that the demand for the Duchess is strong - subject to clearances of course!!

 

Always was a difficult choice on 25th March but we decided to do the Castle on the Marches. Not going to change that.

 

I hope they are already in the planning for 2018.

 

How do costs compare from hiring to other operators against running your own tours ?, Suspect the former is better from a financial point of view so can understand the rationale if the number of bookings is high.

 

If you run your own you take a chance on a loss if there aren't enough bookings. If you hire out to another promoter you know what you'll receive.

 

List of tours the Duchess is booked on, as at 27/3/17 see http://www.prclt.co.uk/46233-2017-running-dates.html

 

From the latest Heritage Railway according to Simon Scott of the trust, PMR tours has ceased to run excursions. That said PMR will probably be involved with plans to run a Duchess 's 80th Anniversary special from Euston to Perth provisionally set for 14th July. Their article states that 95% of the engine's commitments will be in the south because" There's little or no money in the North"

 

Sad news. The comment about no money in the north is probably a consequence of the Carnforth fleet likely to monopolise any RTC or SD trips. No doubt frustrating for the owners of a class 8 built for the fells and in its prime to see less capable engines given preference. Frustrating too for customers if use of lesser powered locos impact on the product quality.

 

Indeed on one point, as I'm personally retrenching on the south a bit due to hotels, emergence of a new MN, etc. (unless it's a particularly rare bit of track or a guaranteed Bulleid locomotive), so it's over to you!

 

Sad news indeed not to see the mighty Duchess in the north. Was really looking forward to seeing the beast in her LMS livery attacking Shap and the S&C in style on CMEs next year. Hope the July Perth Weekend happens. Can't believe that won't be a sellout.

 

I struggle to see how those two statements link together, given that most of the steam tours that run in the north start with pick-ups in the south. Similarly, PMR Tours seem to have been successful for many years running tours that mostly pick-up in the middle!

As has been alluded, I presume it's just a polite way of saying that WCRC have shafted them by concentrating on "in house" operations up north and the remaining operator(s) that PRCLT could use are likely to be concentrating on tours in the south.

 

Totally agree with that. Whilst its understandable that WC for example will want to use its own locos arguably only one for some while will be optimal for the big trains in the fells RTC offers. It grates that 8Ps might be overlooked simply because of who owns what.

 

And 35028, for much the same reason

 

From an email received from PMR earlier today : -
Duchess of Sutherland update
The Duchess is currently undergoing major repair work at the West Shed. During the 'fitness to run' examination prior to a main line trip scheduled for 18th November, a crack was discovered in one of 46233’s flue tubes. The locomotive was promptly returned to the West Shed for remedial work to be carried out. Unfortunately, on further investigation, it has been found that 21 of the 40 flue tubes are cracked. As this requires significant work to be carried out, the decision has been made to take the opportunity to carry out additional major work on the boiler to enable 46233 to gain a new boiler certificate now, rather than waiting until it is needed in 2021. Due to the labour involved in the work required we are estimating that the Duchess will be completed and ready for action around June/ July 2018. The locomotive will be repainted into LMS Crimson Lake livery before returning to the main line to operate trips for rail tour companies including ‘Steam Dreams Rail Co.’ and ‘The Railway Touring Company’.

PMR Tours trips

Unfortunately we are not yet able to confirm any ‘PMR Tours’ trips with the Duchess for 2018. Whilst we had originally intended to run several of our own trips, this has become increasingly difficult due to various obstacles including:

• A growing shortage of main line steam drivers available to be provided by West Coast Railways, our Train Operating Company. WCR is understandably prioritising the operation of its own trips rather than third party organisations such as ‘PMR Tours’.
• Less availability of coaching stock for hire from WCR due to heavy demand from tour operators who operate on a regular basis and so get first priority.
• Increased costs involved in operating a main line trip, e.g. hire of diesel locomotives and coaching stock.
• The disruption to Derby railway station from late July to mid-October while it is re-modelled.

Added to this is the unforeseen work now required on the Duchess which means that she will be out of action for the first half of 2018. We will update you as and when we have more information.