The Midday Scot 19th March 2016

Just been to buy advance tickets for a trip to Edinburgh at the end of March. The Ticket Office advised me that the work at Lamington could run on into April and that they are prepared to refund tickets or switch times at no cost if that proves to be the case.

Obvious implications for The Midday Scot with 46233 on the Manchester to Edinburgh run. Obviously NR have had a word with Virgin. Have they also alerted WCRC and RTC to this potential issue?

 

I can say with some confidence that there are unlikely to be any trains running over Lamington viaduct for some considerable time.

 

Hopefully that sad fact will be recognised fairly swiftly by RTC with a rescheduled date rather than continuing to offer tickets for a date that could be confirmed now as not possible.

 

It's an ill wind that blows no-one any good. A prolonged blockage of the Caley main line provides an extra little bit of justification for eventual re-opening of the rest of the Waverley Route.

(Apologies for thread drift, but only worth starting a new thread if this post attracts much discussion.)

 

I suppose that as this situation is not know to the wider public, the political ramifications could be huge. Scots politicians will be up in arms at the delay with "if this was near London" stuff.

I think this only affects the Midday Scot and maybe the Royal Scot from Glasgow to Liverpool the week after for now. If it ran through April GB9 could suffer. But the bigger picture!

 

There is talk.........

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-35412900

 

That has been the advice on the Virgin and National Rail Websites for a few weeks now. We are regulars to Edinburgh. What was different today was the Ticket Office cautioning that they believe it could be late into April. Virgin and TPE are making contingencies for passenger fares to be refunded or journeys altered without charge even on Advance Tickets.

I hope that you are right though.

 

BBC reporting that Lamington will reopen next week. That is earlier than expected and far better than the poor prophesy given at the Virgin Ticket Office. All credit to NR and their engineers. Working in a river in winter cannot be easy or fun!

 

That is indeed good news, as I'm booked on it, and my decision whether or not to book the subsequent weekend's return trip from Glasgow to Liverpool was partly contingent on this. Luckily, the cancellation of SD's trip to Cardiff means I might even be able to afford to do it...

 

Isn't it strange that comments like this, provided without any evidence to back up 'some confidence', are taken on here as gospel by some people?

Congratulations to Network Rail and their contractors, hope they use the same team on the S&C.

 

Seen that it's supposed to be opening on Monday - well done NR. There are 3 Wistles booked for a trip behind the big girl, I would have got stereo aggro if the trip had been cancelled or postponed. Here's hoping for good coal, a strong fireman and a keen driver.

 

Yeah, I got it wrong and I'm big enough to admit it. However it was based on the best information I had at the time (from within the industry, I should add). I am not going to divulge sources unless they are already commonly known so you have the choice as to whether you decide to believe me or not. 99% of what is posted on this forum is conjecture at best anyway. You chose to have a dig at me regarding something I posted on another thread and you might be best advised to keep your counsel on that particular issue for the next few days unless of course you are better placed to comment than I am.

 

Taking all bets on this tour then! lol

 

Booked on this on.
Nice long haul with th Duchess cruising along at 75mph
Will it operate as planned on the 19th?, my three scenarios.
1. Will run as planned with WCRC - as I think WCRC will be operating as normal by then.
2. Will run as planned with DB, subject to them approving the Duchess on their systems.
3. Will be postponed until after Easter, in early April.

And, yes, there will be a diesel on the back, as it will be bringing the train back, and with a Class 8 on the front it will just be there to save a train path,mane any operational moves at Edinburgh.
Has the Duchess been to Edinbugh in the past by the way?

 

Yup doing what it's built for. Given WC out for a month last time so if same/sim will be close. Is there a reason die bahn won't run it, or just an admin one. The idea of a postonement had crossed my mind too. Or with another loco, which of course immediatedly demotes the tour lol.

Was scheduled to head for ED last year r yr before but cancelled that time.

 

Sorry, I can't see option 1 happening. Option 2 is an outside possibility, I suppose, if PRCLT started the process a few months ago. Option 3 is much the most likely, though I think it's more likely to be postponed by 6 months than 6 weeks - there will be enough problems trying to get some of the existing April programme to run without adding extra tours at relatively short notice.

 

Balancing run south and srps tours between the two now cancelled.

 

Wonder when RTC will inform passengers that the Liverpool trip has been cancelled as am booked on that.