Clan Line in 2020

My view is that this is a forum for all elements of the hobby and is not designed for professionals, although many contribute valuably. Those who happen to want to see (rare these days) steam on the main line may well have contributed in the past and will probably do so again. Then there are those who go to see it and are inspired to become involved too. To demean and dismiss 'linesiders' as (effectively) parasites is to be short-sighted at best. Incidentally, the train in question was fully-booked so no more fare-payers could be accommodated anyway, meaning that those wanting to watch it were not in a position to add to the revenue whether they wanted to or not.

This is also a forum where members should be free to discuss and speculate on events without censorship (unless offensive, defamatory, etc., obviously). It is pretty obvious that the degree of so-called 'fake news' here is tiny and that unsubstantiated claims are very quickly stamped on. I don't imagine that many who have paid to travel on a tour (and who aren't enthusiasts anyway) will take their news from here, and if a few do latch on to rumours here, that's a part of the much larger way in which modern information sharing works. Removing some posts will always leave those that cause doubt, unless entire threads are removed. Other sources will always play their part too, especially in these times of extremely short notice changes.

If we simply exclude speculation from discussions here we will lose a lot.

 

What I don’t understand is the suppression of the news that Clan Line’s trip tomorrow had been cancelled. Reliable sources were quoted and it saved a number of well known contributors from making an unnecessary journey to photo/film the train. Surely one of the functions of the forum is to keep members up to date with what’s going on.

 

Surely a simple we're sorry its cancelled and will release more info when we can will be fine? Don't get the big cover up personally

Matt

 

Before the posts were removed, a perfectly valid reason was provided......this bl**dy virus.

 

Yeah saw that earlier like I say I don't see what the big cover up is. Is it going to get to the point where people are only allowed to add info if they are booked on a certain tour?

I'm sure many times people have found out from this section a tour has been capped or a loco has failed its ftr

A confused matt

 

Yes, and the reason for the cancellation was reported on Faceache this morning.

 

I’m not sure if I’m reading this correctly so forgive me. I noticed earlier that the journey from Victoria to Oxford Parkway and return have been activated on RTT at 07:30 today along with other moves to and from Stewart’s Lane. I have known moves from Long Marston near where I live to be activated when nothing came. Does this look similar?

 

I think all we wanted to know was whether the train was running or not. The reason why is of no interest whatsoever.

 

If it has been cancelled many of us would like to know why, though we have no entitlement to know why. Anyway it remains unclear to me whether it has been cancelled. RTT still shows it as due to depart less than an hour from now.

 

The ECS move from Stewarts Lane hasn't shown any movement and it's due in Victoria around now. Would assume cancelled

 

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55386/2020-12-12/detailed indeed shows no movement, and yet, like the tour iteself, it was activated early this morning.

Edit: I should have looked at the Railway Herald site: that apparently announced the cancellation on Friday morning.

 

Apropos linesiders supporting or not supporting railtour operators: in recent years (apart from this year) I have averaged about eight railtours per year and I have gone out to see/phot/video just four (if I remember aright) over the last ten years.

 

Good Lord, whats all this old pony about. The train was cancelled at late notice due to Corona Virus. Surprised? No of course not it was a known risk, anyone booked would have known it was possible. As for how they were told, it doesn't matter if they read it on Social Media or an official personal notice, the company would want the pax to know ASAP by what ever means.

What do we get on here? Overzealous power crazed moderators slashing great swathes of a forum to bits because "the industry read this". Cobblers, get off your made up ivory tower, this is a social media site, not unlike twitter that Donald Trump uses. World leaders with fingers on nuclear buttons read it. Do they take it seriously? We are all still here so clearly not.

Of course it didn't take long for "linesiders are leaches" to appear did it. Pathetic.

 

Yes, you dont rely on those you mentioned. You may like to think this forum is the hub of the industry, it aint. Its here to make money for the owner via adds that the audience you alienate may no longer see.

No doubt this post will go the same way as the rest.