Main Line Steam - Possible ramifications of the WCRC suspension

Good Yorkshire common sense there amongst vast amounts of waffle and pontification.

 

The trend seems to be towards an initial deposit with final payment 28 days prior to travel.
I think its a good idea, specially if you book months ahead...!

I booked a Fellsman with Statesman in June, whereas last year it was full payment, this year it has been a £20 deposit, and they will let me know when full payment is required.
Same with the RTC and the West Highlands Steam Express in September. Just £100 deposit paid at the moment, then like last year, they confirm that they have enough bookings and full payment is due. If it doesn't run they would refund.
Even West Coast with their Compass tours state:

For Day trips seated in Standard or First Class seats we require full payment upon booking. For Premier Dining we require a deposit of £50 per person with the balance payable 28 days in advance of the trip.
For Landcruises which include hotel accomodation we require a £50 deposit for all seating classes with the balance payable 28 days in advance of the trip.

Not sure why they differentiate between classes though.

 

Well, whatever is going on behind the scenes 35028 seemed to me as a casual observer reading the reports on Nat Pres and following it's progress on RTT, to run ok on the Belmond British Pullman yesterday.

Main line steam in the UK in April 2015.

 

Very much so, made my mouth water in antipation of it's farewell tour on 30th June on which I'm travelling, : )

 

When you purchase anything over £100 ensure you always use a credit card for payment.
In retail most reputable companies don't take your payment till the date of dispatch, this is also true even with Amazon and similar companies. For some reason most Steam trip operators seem to work outside this and the guidance of credit card companies, if these companies are taking payment without knowing that they can supply the correct product on correct date, then accordingly that is technically fraud.

The advantage of Credit Cards is that they will refund payments over £100 if the company goes bust or fails to supply goods purchased by the date expected. If you read the T&C of VISA as a seller, they clearly state you mustn't take more than a deposit for any product that isn't ready for despatch or supply, you can when item purchased but you chose a date after purchase for delivery (mail order) and they also state that you shouldn't take payment before the item is despatched or service received. There is several other lines of conditions here in front of me. If these companies have been operating outside their own contract with the Credit Card handling Bank/Company, they should be reported and have the facility taken away from them, which has happened to many retailers in the past. This may make them offer the service advertised, or refund without argument if they alter it, (or stick a diesel on the front) just claim a recharge back against them through your credit card company, then you will start to get either the service you paid for or your money back in full promptly, unlike now by some Operators. Yes I have done this when a Diesel was substituted and Barclays refunded the money as not as ordered regardless of the operators T&Cs the Banks take president, as the Company wouldn't refund and offered a pathetic amount instead.
Why this isn't pushed more I don't know, but you may find the company may not take future bookings from you, if they know you will claim back in the event of no Steam traction.
You can't do the same unfortunately with National Rail Companies, as they only offer a service, from A to B not by a guaranteed time or type of traction, but Steam operators are selling a experience pulled by a certain locomotive and that is what you purchase, (although another steam loco may be ok for many enthusiasts?)
They are after all selling goods just as any other company. I have not seen the contract the operators have with merchant services for their credit card sales, but having no problems getting charge backs would indicate are covered as above.

Although a different subject, to me the balance of payments like for Holidays, should also be covered and not be required in advance, they just make more money from you, but most want payment weeks before, but you can successfully get your money back if the holiday and named hotel booked are not supplied, it's so much easier than waiting for holiday companies to sort, just start a chargeback.

 

Have just seen an announcement from Martin Walker that 55022 has been rostered for the Royal Scotsman courtesy of GBRf.

 

I've posted the link with the times in the diesel section. Martins Deltic is wasted running back and forwards across Glasgow but it helps to pay the bills and it's regular work. Just occasionally there is a run out oop north.

 

The lengthy debate here and the other threads continues. No surprise for such a serious matter.

As a purely personal view that helps me understand how I think DBS approaches at least some of the issues I see of running 19th century technology on the 21st century railway, the one post that sums up so much about general main line steam operation in 2015 is that made by Wayne much earlier. If I recall it correctly part of that post was that DBS have a crew of two drivers on main line steam. Which helps with such as signal sighting around the boiler in front of them. I can't immediately find the original post but I think that is broadly in line with what Wayne posted, apologies if I have it wrong.

 

When all we had was steam, on a steam railway, the crew worked as a crew (spotting signals), had first class traction and route knowledge, and still missed signals. While you have the human up front controlling the thing there will always be accidents.

 

Where is the Royal Scotsman stock stabled and maintained please anyone? Thanks.

 

I see that one of their trips is due to be at Boat of Garten on the 29th so I may see it in between Osprey watching and stocking up on Cairngorm Ales.

 

It's currently taking up a railtour siding and a half at Bo'ness before it departs. Thankfully said departure is imminent!

 

Thanks. Is the maintenance done at Bo'ness too?

 

Not really, just the pre-season prep and marketing. If absolutely necessary the maintenance can be done (and has once or twice) but it is usually complete before the set arrives at Bo'ness.

 

Also steam railways have lost out North York Moors was having a gala with guest engines which could not make it as WCRC was due to do the loco movement WCRC can't do any loco movements so if your steam railway has booked a guest loco to come in via mainline and you booked WCRC to do it your in troubble

 

Never mind steam, it applies to all forms of traction - so if you're running a box gala, you're kinda stuff as well..............

Why folks keep emphasising loss of steam traction is beyond me, just because the media have picked that particular bone.

WCRC can't move anything unless another TOC "agrees" to - read hold over a barrel re charges, and they're hardly in a position to say no..........

At the end of the day, this is costing WCRC hand over fist.

 

better than losing a life

 

How very true, but it could well have been in the plural.......... but we've been there, discussed that, and moved on - so lets let the authorities do what they have to, and once the info becomes public - form an orderly queue to berate/praise/ whatever..........

So, until such an announcement, lets let them get on with it.