Cathedrals Express to Holyhead 18/11/2017 45699 vice 46233

Left Crewe 11 late with 45699, load 12, 37 on rear pushing vigorously.

In view of some subsequent posts I wish to make it clear that the above was simply a statement of what I saw/heard on the Railcam at Crewe and was not intended to imply criticism of anyone involved in the operation of this train.

 

Overloaded Jubilee. No wonder there is a 37 pushing. Stick to the load limits and a rear gunner would not be needed or use a class 8

 

As the Duchess was in steam Wednesday and then failed Big Al is right. Where is this mythical available Class 8 loco coming from with USA out as well? SD could of course just used the 37, so surely this is a better solution. Good on WCRC for arranging it I say.

 

Thank you. Given that I spent most of Thursday trying to rewrite a considerable part of the December steam programme, as a result of the withdrawal of both 6233 and No.9, perhaps the previous poster should reconsider his comments (not for the first time).

JS

 

Won't that make a good headline though James? No need to worry about the effort gone into a last minute substitute and organisation of support crew, supplies and obviously light engine moves.

 

Ok, with the late failure of the Duchess...........what would you have done?

 

Oh dear another black mark from Carnforth. OK yes I wasn't aware that both class 8s had failed. Was the DL needed anyway ? As Al says the there are no significant gradients.

 

The freshly overhauled Class 8 at Carnforth is not available yet then....

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Since there was only just over 2 hours at Holyhead to turn and service the loco, it is was also certainly there to shunt the stock ( as suggested by Big Al).

 

Gauging? At less than 48 hrs’ notice?

Anyway, a picture made p.4 of today’s Sunday Telegraph (as ‘Leander’ did three weeks ago), which is probably rather more useful.

JS

 

How can the failure of a loco based at Butterley and not Carnforth's responsibility be a black mark against them? Given the bureaucracy of getting anything changed on NR I would say that they worked wonders in getting a substitute loco on the front of the train at such short notice.

 

Pray tell why Carnforth should be held responsible for a loco they neither own nor maintain. Still, why let facts get in the way of a rant?

 

I think the comments made by said poster in the Lune Rivers thread tell the story of posters position and opinions WRT WCRC.

 

Cheerleaders out in force again ......
Wasn't the black mark @gricerdon referenced perceived against himself rather than Carnforth? Still, at least it provided material for rants of your own ......
Whilst on the subject, I agree arranging a short notice sub was excellent work and the original grumble by @gricerdon was unreasonable. Hopefully JS gets the recognition he deserves from his employer.
Sorry to be a reality curmudgeon though, many people have to regularly go above and beyond unexpectedly in the course of their jobs without ever seeking public acclaim for it.

 

That is fair enough.
I just wondered if she was available for use after her earlier teething troubles.

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I meant a black mark for me

 

I said from not for. The black mark is mine

 

Firstly, I will admit to despising expression of self-regard.
Secondly, as I said, the criticism by @gricerdon was unwarranted; anyone with basic subject knowledge understands it is difficult, often impossible, to provide contingency for failed FTRs so to moan about a diesel on the back was egregious whether or not it was planned for irrespective of loco.
Finally, where criticism of businesses is concerened I think it is sadly part and parcel of running a public facing company but also that representatives are entitled to offer a reasonable defence. The real question is why the small cabal seeks to defend everything, not with fact or counter argument often, but by questioning the right or motives of the challengers.
What I see in the case of WC is that often reasonable challenges are raised but go unresponded yet the stuff which is plainly daft illicits often equally pointless replies from WC. Meanwhile the small band of cheerleaders gets all hot and bothered about who or why some people express mostly perfectly polite and reasonable disatisfaction. Leave it to the folk its aimed at and if they are not minded to respond why should you be?