Vintage Trains 2016/17 Tours

Surelyvthe better way is for mainline drivers to learn driving steam locos on pres lines, not the other way round.

 

Totally agree with what Ben and Big Al has said about preserved railway drivers on the mainline, there is a very, very great difference to trundling along a short heritage line at 25 mph than on the busy mainline doing 75mph.

 

Sorry you have missed the point, I probably didn't make it clear. They would already have to be fully qualified diesel locomotive mainline men with good route cards and knowledge of charter operations. If they also had steam from a pres line then they would be the best and probably only candidates. There is no way a FOC or a TOC could train them up sufficiently on steam without that type of back ground on their CV's.

 

Understood, but I still somewhat disagree!

Although a familiarization of steam on a preserved line might be handy, I have no doubt that a training plan could be implemented to take mainline diesel drivers and teach them the intricacies of steam. Some will have the aptitude for steam; some will not. Please do not underestimate the extreme differences operating a loco up to 25mph on a single-track preserved railway vs a four-track mainline!

I am not a driver, nor do I have any aspirations to be one. If there are any mainline drivers who have a different opinion, I welcome their comments.

 

If its any conciliation I understood and agreed with the point that you were making.

 

Well, I've been a mainline diesel driver for 17 years working charters amongst many other things, have been working with steam for 6 years and have been involved with mainline steam on a number of occasions. Am I even close to being able to venture out onto the mainline with steam? Not even close.

 

afaik there is only dbc and wcrc with any sort of mainline steam training program. if you dont work for either of those you wont have been trained on mainline steam. so no you wont be anywhere close to being a mainline steam driver.

i think you have proved your own argument.

 

Not really. The steam training programmes that I know about from the past, didn't get people anywhere close to the required standard in my eyes. Whether that's changed or not recently I don't know, it would be nice to see what constitutes a "steam training programme at present'

If you want to blag it, take a chance and have support crew hold your hand, it's probably fine.

 

What's the situation with VT excursions. Still showing tours cancelled on UKS although 'The Moonraker' to Salisbury is on the VT website as running?

 

Maybe an email or phone call to Vintage Trains might hold the answer to your question?

 

Just like another organisation (oft pilloried on here) Vintage Trains will tell us something when Vintage Trains have something to tell us. I am hoping some of their schedule can now be revived.

 

Been a while since any updates from Vintage Trains about their excursion programme, including the Shakespeare. I am sure it will come when there is something to say, but as the most reliable operator in the past it is a little disappointing to see nothing coming out of Tyseley.

 

According to the minutes from the AGM, VT were still in talks with other operators, while talks did fall through with one operator. Shakespeare Express is still the target for a return, though an Autumn schedule of Shakespeare services was mentioned. I think they also stated that they would try and run a couple of diesel trips to the WSR and Paignton.

 

I'm sure I can't be the only one wondering why WCRC's return to the tracks hasn't been matched by a resurrection of VT's steam programme.

 

It's always seemed to me that Tyseley have their own ideas about what a quality mainline steam operation should look like. The main point being to do as much of the operation themselves. They use their own stock and mostly their own locos. On many trains both fireman and guard are from the Meanley family, and some years ago they dumped the Gravy Train Catering Company (close to WCRC) and brought their catering in house. That had a very shaky start but has achieved a reasonable level since then.

Such measures no doubt minimise costs and keep profits in-house to help fund the main Tyseley operation. No doubt also the two sudden interruptions of WCRC service in recent months were annoying and made a big hole in their income. I would love to have been a fly on the wall during discussions between the two big beasts concerned!

I wish Tyseley success in establishing a safe and stable way of operating on the main line. It can't come soon enough for me!

Peter, on a grey April morning in Manchester
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/f731739511

 

I just hope they haven't burnt any bridges ? although they appear to be far too professional and grounded for that...

 

VT may not have burnt their bridges but had them burnt for them when the toys came out the pram.

 

Yes, I feel that is the most likely scenario.

 

At least it's very civil, no acrimony, venom, or bitterness....