CathEx to Holyhead Wed 1st March

Ah, sorry about that. Thanks for the correction & my post amended accordingly.

 

I guess it will spend all day there now

 

Feel sorry for all the disappointed passengers, some of whom may have incurred the extra expense of booking overnight accommodation and the cost of getting from and to where they live.

Dave B

 

Galatea just left Crewe presumably heading home to Carnforth.

 

At least 45699 has been afforded a LE test round trip after its winterisation. Available as assisting loco should the load merit one for the WCCE Saturday?

 

It's a pity they didn't put everyone on a service train to Crewe and use some of the stock hanging around in the yard to run a steam tour

 

She's made very swift progress home http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O77336/2017/03/01/advanced

 

Sadly the modern railway doesn't work like that.

 

Yet another frustrating day for charter passengers. I hope it doesn't put even more people off.
The reason posted on RTT for the trip being cancelled comes up as: "This service was cancelled throughout due to a problem with the on-board safety systems (M0)."

 

Ah, now that would need co-operation between a number of operators. Has been done but with more time ie Midday Scot last year when DBC ran the tour for RTC using WCRC stock.

Irony of a steam tour being cancelled due to the failure of non steam motive power

I'm sure refunds will pacify some but I do feel for those who had one off in-refundable costs like hotels.

 

If today's rake was not dual braked the options were decidedly limited.

 

It must have been, the 86 cannot be vac, or can it?

 

Apparently it's dual braked.

Dave B

 

Yes it is dual braked. WC locos would be mismatched with the rakes that go to Carnforth for the Cumbria otherwise.

 

Good point, well made although is it the loco that's dual braked or that WCRC use dual braked rakes for such jobs?.

 

Oh for a unified opperating model which would allow full use of stock and infrastructure.

I also feel for those who had booked hotels etc. I'm lucky living in London only to have had a day out spoiled and to have wasted a day of annual leave

 

An equally good point and one which makes me less sure of the braking equipment on the 86. Some of the coaches commonly used are MK2s though which are not duals? I am sure the class had vac from their intro.
As an aside it is curious WC has not furnished itself with at least a couple of electrics. They would be darned useful?

 

I suppose the issue is maintaining them, plus they would need shunting in an out of Carnforth (not a problem logistically , but how much maintenance/testing can one do not under the wires?)

I suppose the other problem is it would mean employing staff to maintain them, I assume that if an 86 goes pop it needs a specialist - possibly why the 86 this Am couldn't be fixed as WCRC have 57/47/37/33 fitters to hand?