WCRC Licence Suspended

Not being fully acquainted with the Company structure its hard to say how much authority a single person has within the management arrangements. If the business is run autocratically as you suggest then the statements issued can be taken as representing the views of its principal. Blithely complacent is the general tenor.

 

You've forgotten 60009 (not ready at the mo?), and 60007 (which doesn't seem to leave the NYMR much these days). I think it's fair to assume that 34046 will be back by the time 35028 goes. The Hosking pool all seem to be dual-braked, so I'd bet 46100 will be.

Haven't DBS been known to operate vac braked locos in the past, provided that the stock is dual-braked and the loco is through-piped to permit rescue by the nearest available diesel. 61994 and 62005 at least are through-piped, you can spot the air brake hose with a white connector.

 

Bu

What I meant was they are full drivers on main line but not necessarily steam?

 

So there are locomotives, but the other issue is the crews to drive them.

 

And the willingness of DBS to pick up the work. Have DRC got a safety case for passenger working yet?


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Things have been quiet in that direction over the last two years. But this probably didn't help their safety case:

https://www.gov.uk/raib-reports/signal-passed-at-danger-at-stafford

I only hope lessons were learnt.

 

61994 Inverness to Kyle on a Cathedrals Explorer 20/5/12

 

A one person operation? It should take a team to run an operation such as this.

 

I didn't say it was a one person operation, I said the company is effectively owned by one person, a big difference.

 

One oddity that occurs to me belatedly is the specific 15th May date. I would have expected NR to say something along the lines "You're suspended until you've done X and Y" and for that to take as long as it takes. As it stands, if WCRC were to fix everything to NR's complete satisfaction by, say, 10th May they would still not be allowed to operate until 15th. And what if they're making progress towards satisfying NR but haven't got there by 15th? Does missing the deadline mean they can never operate again?

Edit: re-reading, it does look as if the suspension could be withdrawn sooner if the first five actions are completed sooner, though that's a big "if".

 

It has been reported elsewhere by people involved in railway media that the term of the suspension relates to statutory powers and that anything longer would require some form of Parliamentary authorisation. As we have little choice but to notice, politicians are rather pre-occupied with something else at the moment!

No real details just that information, but from a couple of sources (one on wnxx).

Steven

 

That's my understanding of it too - if they comply before that date, their licence could be reinstated. Though it is a bit ambiguous.

 

West Coast Railway Co Ltd is a private company owned by another private company. It cannot be a "sitting duck" for a takeover although the owner could chose to sell it. One assumes though that it would be more valuable with a "clean licence" so to speak. Many of the locos/rolling stock are owned by other group companies according to the accounts (which are in the public domain), but WCR is not a man of straw. I suspect the biggest issue is whether the proprietor feels it worth carrying on, which on the face of it he does, judging by the company's announcement, at least for the moment.

 

One suspects that the deadline may be an attempt to make WCRC react in a timely manner. If the 15th May deadline isn't met then I think the implied threat is that some form of additional sanction would be sought. Equally if WCRC can put everything right sooner to NR satisfaction, then I imagine the ban could be lifted. I don't know for sure, but I find it hard to believe that NR couldn't apply to the ORR to have WCRC removed, and the ORR be able to wield that power (if really required) regardless of whether or not there is a parliament sitting. Naturally they would be reluctant in the absence of political oversight, but as Sir Humphrey said government doesn't require politicians. The 15th May deadline is probably a) the maximum sanction NR can apply itself and b) seen as a reasonable length of time to address the issues.

 

Thanks for the detailed analysis. If I understand correctly then there are a number if trading companies of which WCRC is one, registered as a TOC. Presumably each has Directors listed and an MD?
What is the parent company named?

 

I really hope this is resolved. I have trip planned for the CME on June 6 and coming from overseas to do it not to be selfish.

 

http://companycheck.co.uk/ and I suspect a few other sites give you free access to company accounts.

 

It would be nice if there were more tour operators. We have the tour companies but at least one or two operating companies would be nice.

Whether one looks at many other sectors be it telephone companies, railroads, many companies merging etc. the thinning down effect is noticeable everywhere.

 

Great power carries with it great responsibility in that case.