Royal Duchy 2017

Very pleased I am on the Torbex.

 

Not very sympathetic. They've had 16 days to check.

 

We switched to the TBE at Bristol.

 

If I blamed the wrong people, then my sincere apologies, but somebody's backside needs kicking.

 

Loco in steam next to support coach at the Bishops Lydeard compound this evening.

Paperwork issue confirmed. No return to Southall this evening. <BJ>

 

46100 has been out based at Bishops Lydeard since it arrived from Southall on 29th July.

 

My one shot of the day. Giving a good account of herself at Whiteball.

 

Ah OK I misunderstood/ didn't check facts.

 

Whilst ideally that should be the case, if the process does not include a confirmatory element then it is bound to go wrong, as has been the case more than once. It is very much in the interests of the TOC and loco owner to verify all is as they assume, sufficiently in advance of planned operations, whether or not they think it ought to be necessary.

 

Agreed - you have to chase people up for confirmation.

 

As I recollect, it has been said NR require quite a lot of lead time to process these registrations and it has also been holiday period so that may explain the delay.
It may very well be of course that NR has given confirmation only for there to be a glitch at the 11th hour.

 

As happens so often with railtours. Whoever is at fault, this is very off-putting, which is a shame when so much effort has gone into keeping steam on the railway network.

John

 

I'm not trying to be being funny but try explaining that one to the courts when your MOT or insurance has expired.

Something that must have annoyed the disappointed passengers would have been the steady trundle behind the diesel. Just after Taunton where Royal Scot should have been attached, the train stopped for a break at Tiverton loop from 10:16 to 11:08. The train managed to arrive at Par 2 mins late. Thankfully on the return the train arrived back at Bristol some 80 mins early. <BJ>

 

My comment was intended to suggest a reason on NRs part for not completing the registration, on the assumption the submission was otherwise compliant.
In the case if insurance or vehicle duty, the process concludes with status confirmation. I see no reason why registering a rail vehicle should be any different. If the operational status is not confirmed when the train plan is submitted surely this also would cause a red flag notice?
Maybe it was due to be hauled by 34046 so the registration of 46100 did not assume importance until too late to comply with NR timeframes?

 

Not the best of seasons for the Royal Duchy. A quick review of the uksteam diary suggests :

23rd July. Cancelled (Royal Scot unavailable)
30th July. Ran as planned
6th August. 46100 removed from the train at Exeter (short of coal on the return)
13th August. Cancelled
27th August. Cancelled
3rd September. Diesel hauled. (Royal Scot issues)
10th September. Cancelled

Hopefully the Royal Duchy will bounce back next season. <BJ>

 

One problem is that its not so attractive now with the BTM to Taunton section DL, but its still the only way to get regular steam over the south Devon banks. Not this year though.

 

The thing that I've never figured out is where is the attraction in visiting Par? What is there for people to do?

Yesterday the Torbay Express was loaded to 11 passenger vehicles, and the Royal Duchy to 8, which included a full kitchen car and half a brake.

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It's very close to the Eden Project if that's your thing (it is'nt mine!) or you can take a bus to nearby Fowey, which is a very picturesque and attractive little town, a very pleasant place to while away a few hours.