Royal Duchy 2017

The reduced load on the Duchy is to permit steam unassisted over the Devon banks. As for Par, most passengers opt for side trips such as a visit to the Lost Gardens of Helligan.
As for gricers like me, there's a pub or two for lunch and local Ale.

 

The tour includes trips to Fowey and Charlestown. The buses were waiting for us when we got to Par. AN

And an operational reason for terminating at Par is that there is a turntable at St Blazey. AN

 

Had letter from Nigel offering a full refund of payment for last Sunday's Royal Duchy; not just a credit against a future train, but a full cash refund. Very intriguing. Got to be a story there somewhere.

 

Agreed. That's amazing, never heard of that happening. Maybe because you are such a good customer?

Great news anyway.

 

I can't fault RYTC's response, I also received my letter yesterday offering a full refund, or for them to 'hold' a credit for future use.

They did exactly the same earlier this year when a Manchester departure train (can't remember which one at the moment), was cancelled. So it's not a one off.
We're all disappointed when these things happen I'm sure the operators are too, especially as it's their livelihood/ business.

 

What's different is the Duchy wasn't cancelled. It ran with the Class 57. Leads me to wonder if the TOC might have been at fault with the paperwork and consequently not charged RTC for the train. Or then again, LSL might have been at fault and the Trust compensated RTC. Both or neither are possibilities.
Can't find a way to access the RSL to check the loco's status. The Scot has an illogical TOPS Number, 98702. The third number in the TOPS sequence is the loco class and the last 2 digits are the engine's, so should be 98700.
However Britannia is 98700 so they might just have used the next available number. Could have entered the wrong number quite easily or it might not have been anything like that!!
Anyone found anything out about what did happen?

 

There are of course constraints on what you can drag over the Devon Banks (without the dreaded Diesel at the rear) so the train will never be very long. Is not 8 the maximum for unassisted over Dainton and Hemerdon? The other reason for Par of course is it is near a turntable.

 

Par often is 'full'!!
Yes, Fowey is the real destination.... what a pity the old station is not available as the branch from Lostwithial is v attractive.
Lots to do so on a repeat visit --it's easy to go on a boat trip etc!!
Oh and the turntable......!!!!
Ray Mason

 

It was the first Buxton Spa Express planned for the 4th Feb billed as 76084 & 45690, would have been 76084's first main line run since restoration, I think ?

 

A very honourable response from RYTC. I hope that they are not out of pocket, or at least not greatly so. Possibly it was a Network Rail failure of communication and they had the decency not to charge RYTC. Maybe we shall never know, and perhaps we don't need to know!

As Ray Mason says, the line from Lostwithiel down to Fowey (only runs to Carne Point, being the clay shipment point on the Lostwithiel side of Fowey) is very attractive, indeed I'd go further and say that it is drop dead gorgeous! Even more so if the old station were still there. I am old enough to have travelled over it in a (diesel) railcar just before Dr Beeching had his wicked way, and there have been several diesel worked specials over it since. A 'can do' culture could yet result in a 14xx and auto coaches) doing the trip. Around 2000, there were some Sprinter trips down to Carne Point on summer Sundays for a mere £2 a time. With the china clay freight contract up for review this December, there may be a smidgeon of doubt as to continued clay trains?

John

 

45407 went to Carne Point top and tailed with a diesel in March 2007.

 

But my pal who booked three tickets is only being offered £25 per person off a future tour. AN

 

Looking on TripAdvisor one reviewer was offered the same as your pal .

 

I think this must be the normal rate.

No steam, foul weather but some photos anyway:

https://andrewstransport.smugmug.com/MyBritishrailtours/Royal-Duchy-2017/

Andrew N

 

At the risk of generating opprobrium from certain quarters, is the reason for different rates of automatic compensation clear?

 

I was offered a full refund after arriving at Temple Meads on the day, and deciding not to travel, this was announced over the train's PA system

 

I belatedly recall that there was a similar announcement when I boarded at Exeter. AN

 

Sadly you are quite correct about a disappointing season. 23rd July No Loco. Injector issues with 6100. Whilst disappointing, SLS took the correct and responsible decision not to run a loco with a potentially job stopping defect until repairs could be carried out. 6th Aug; was it a disaster ? lost 30 miles of steam, but still got back virtually on time. Still had nearly 200 miles of steam over the most interesting part of the run. The cause was what can only be described as an error of judgement, and it won't happen again. I can't remember why 13 & 27th Aug were cancelled but they were cancelled very early. 3rd Sept, Paperwork issues. Not the fault of SLS, WCR, NR (and don't ask me to point fingers at this stage of the game). The loco was registered until Dec17, but got deregistered in August. 10th Sept was cancelled early due to Engineering work. I did try to get 10th re-instated after 3rd debacle, but blocks prevented it.
Questions raised on this forum re the 'Royal Duchy':
1) Loading. 8 + PoB is the load for class 7 locos. A good class 8 may take 9 + PoB, but the siding at Par only holds 10 vehicles, (Loco + PoB + 8), so we can't go with more. In 2016 even 6233 struggled up the hill to Treverin Tunnel, starting cold from Par.
2) Why Par. Simple, Steam Charters tend to run where there are facilities to deal with them, and the Turntable at St BZ is the Key.
3). Why steam only from Taunton. Bristol is getting congested with stocks at weekends. Barton Hill won't accept steam any more. SPM is very busy, and have a job to accept steam for stabling despite the stirling efforts of the staff there in recent years. SLS had concerns over the day length for their staff and the total mileage (about 320 miles per day). Taunton was felt to be more reasonable. WSR also deserve thanks for their input into the RD season. They have been first rate, and deal with Main Line charters in a very professional way.

I sincerely hope the RD runs again next year and that me and Spike Hodges will be out doing our best to put on a good show for the paying punters.
To paraphrase Joni Mitchell "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone"
TTFN A