Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express 2016

Scotrail could hire the same drivers that have worked the Jacobite for WCRC. As this is a regular job they could be on guaranteed hours contracts. There have been no known irregularities on Jacobite workings so there should be no doubt about the quality of the staff. As I understand it, WCRC isn't prohibited from providing servicing and maintenance facilities. DBS could tow the locomotives to Fort William.

 

Do ScotRail (or whoever owns them) have a steam license now then???

 

But maybe the ORR know ! - "
Ian Prosser, HM Chief Inspector of Railways at ORR, said .....................

"We want to encourage successful business operations on our railways and hope WCRC will be able to put in place steps to ensure fit and proper safety management with a view to resuming operations.

"Our inspectors stand ready to work with the company to support and advise as it strengthens its approach to safety."

Taken from -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35597920

 

I think not but it is a reputable TOC and could seek one solely for Fort William to Mallaig, a relatively simple piece of railway similar to the NYMR's licence to operate from Battersby to Whitby. Matters do move differently north of the border and for an enterprise that has the support of the Scottish Government one could expect the ORR to help as much as it can within the statutory procedures.

 

The Jacobite is an institution and a great success for many years. A dear friend in Holland visited Scotland last year and said the trip from Fort William was unforgettable and a lot of his friends are likely to come over in the next few years to experience it. The problem is that those who will ultimately decide on WCR's future, won't have the Jacobite services on their radar. For ORR it is a steam service manned by an organisation which is not allowed to operate them. It is back to WCR to come up with, somehow, a formula which will work now and for years to come. Problem is that we don't know if WCR have the appetite for what will be a long and gruelling process..

 

Scotrail doesn't work steam, the Waverley route trains were worked by DBS and I can't see them getting involved with WC crews, I'm not sure of the arrangements for the two train service but the the regular driver, Alec and Florence, the guard have worked on the Jacobite for many years, both live in Fort William and just work for the season. I believe Alec is 75 now so I'm not sure if he will be available. Pity if he's not he has a lifetime experience on the line working as fireman and then driver at both Mallaig and Fort William.
It is important to the local economy so hopefully it will concentrate the minds to get a resolution by May, There will be political pressure and I'm sure it will run even if it takes Nicola Sturgeon driving and Alec Salmond firing!

 

The Scotrail situation is an interesting one as part of Abellio's franchise is to promote / develop tourist rail traffic, which is I think unique among the passenger franchises. I'm sure there are others on this forum with more detailed knowledge of that but last year the trains, as Johnb says, were operated on their behalf by DBS using the SRPS railtour set of Mk 1s.
The Scotrail website currently has the following message
"Following a successful summer of steam trains journeys in the beautiful Scottish countryside, we'll be offering you more chances to experience the joy of steam travel in 2016.

Each special steam train service will feature both first and standard class carriages.

Watch this space for more details."
--- so they are clearly serious about meeting that requirement and it will be interesting to see how that progresses.

 

Who knows what's going on behind closed doors ? The future is yet to be !

 

What's Going On is going to be very quiet as a result of the WCR situation. That said, there are a lot of other NP categories I have just seen to keep us posters busy.

 

Aye. Plenty of phone calls and discussions going on I would think.

 

Strange that the WCR supporters club(The Carnforth 2) have been very quiet on here

 

I predict a huge spike on Thursday.

 

Be a long wait then ? By the way what is a forum for if not opinion,thats what makes forums

 

Strange that anyone who does not fundamentally support WCRC and what they do to deliver mainline steam, must, by definition, not support mainline steam. As WCRC have run the majority of services, it is clear that no-one wins at this time. The year looks pretty beak without them at the moment. Maybe those who complain about WCRC will wish to reflect on their self fulfilling prophesies.

 

I could never see myself taking part in anything like that now Ralph lol

 

I don't know how you manage to keep a straight face!!!

 

Not sure I've ever seen Henry's straight face

 

It's usually when it's his round!