If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

The Mayflower 17th June 2017: Now 15/04/18

Discussie in 'What's Going On' gestart door Paul42, 6 feb 2016.

  1. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Lid geworden:
    30 mei 2009
    Berichten:
    22.596
    Leuk Bevonden:
    22.730
    Locatie:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Were it not for something else up the ECML on that date I probably would have booked on this. The whole affair is simply one of those instances when it would be great if somehow across all parties involved - Network Rail, West Coast, loco owner and organiser - a solution could be found that ended up with a steam locomotive on the front and a diesel on the back. There is still two weeks to go and I find it hard to believe that collective minds can't be applied to find a solution. Yes, this is just one charter train and we continually hear that the charter team at Milton Keynes is stretched, but honestly......And how long has this problem been going on and why hasn't Network Rail sorted out staffing levels and expertise, if that is indeed the problem?
     
    Wingsandwheels en Bluenosejohn vinden dit leuk.
  2. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

    Lid geworden:
    11 sep 2005
    Berichten:
    36.450
    Leuk Bevonden:
    9.911
    Geslacht:
    Man
    Beroep:
    Retired-ish, Part time rail tour steward.
    Locatie:
    Northwich
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Different locos have been pressed into service at short notice many times before, I'll bet that WCR have been looking for every option in this instance, but if NR say no then that's appears to be the end of it.
     
  3. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

    Lid geworden:
    17 jul 2006
    Berichten:
    6.096
    Leuk Bevonden:
    4.485
    Geslacht:
    Man
    Locatie:
    East Grinstead
    Well it was stated in post 35 that the gauging issue had been resolved , and that 61306's first rostered trip for SD ( according to the website) is the 1/7/2018, that appears to be the case .It was previously rostered for the 3/5/18 acording to the last SD brochure.
     
  4. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

    Lid geworden:
    2 okt 2015
    Berichten:
    7.931
    Leuk Bevonden:
    6.663
    Geslacht:
    Man
    Locatie:
    Swanage
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I would hate to be a tour organizer, but I sort of got the feeling based on the number of delays this tour has had that Mayflower was seen as the major component of this tour. I wonder why this time a Black 5 was deemed acceptable as an alternative (rather than wait for Mayflower) when I would imagine there would have been that option before. Maybe they had just got tired of the whole episode and want it over an done with, or does the upcoming timetable change totally scupper it?
     
  5. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

    Lid geworden:
    17 jul 2006
    Berichten:
    6.096
    Leuk Bevonden:
    4.485
    Geslacht:
    Man
    Locatie:
    East Grinstead
    We were notified on the 13/2/18 that a gauging issue meant Mayflower was not permitted over the East Suffolk line, and that was it was to be replaced by a Black 5. What we do not know is when the gauging issue was resolved, and when 61306 was no longer available.
     
  6. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

    Lid geworden:
    17 jul 2006
    Berichten:
    6.096
    Leuk Bevonden:
    4.485
    Geslacht:
    Man
    Locatie:
    East Grinstead
    Steam Railway received today, states that after a new survey of the down platform at Woodbridge, the restriction for Mayflower was lifted on the 28/2/18 , and that the overhaul of the B1 is not expected to be completed in time for the charter.
     
    Devonbelle vindt dit leuk.
  7. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

    Lid geworden:
    8 okt 2007
    Berichten:
    2.948
    Leuk Bevonden:
    2.524
    Geslacht:
    Man
    Beroep:
    Researcher/writer and composer of classical music
    Locatie:
    Between LBSCR 221 and LBSCR 227
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    The SR article said May, but Steam Dreams has now re-allocated Mayflower's turns for both May and June to 45212.
     
  8. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Lid geworden:
    30 mei 2009
    Berichten:
    22.596
    Leuk Bevonden:
    22.730
    Locatie:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Just returning to this one after yesterday's British Pullman trip around Kent where, as I understand it, at relatively short notice, Network Rail gauged a route and also found a path so it could run.

    It looks as though the need for an alternative locomotive was known about for some time and almost certainly to a longer lead-in time than the diverted Pullman trip. So if it's possible for one charter then it should be possible for another. My guess, therefore, is that there were far more complexities with the Mayflower than we know about. It could simply be, of course, that Network Rail's attitude was that it'll run, just not with the requested motive power so what's the problem?

    All very sad, nonetheless.
     
  9. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

    Lid geworden:
    22 okt 2009
    Berichten:
    4.416
    Leuk Bevonden:
    1.681
    No amount of pontification or speculation will generate a definitive answer to these questions. As with many topics, only if the person with knowledge chooses to enlighten proceedings will it become any clearer. Comment only seems forthcoming generally to shoot down false rumour, so in the absence of such the best that can be acheived is perhaps an inference drawn?
     

Deel Deze Pagina