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LE Movements, ECS and Test Runs 2021

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Big Al, Dec 29, 2020.

  1. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    However, had Mr Hosking been a Labour donor and anti Brexit, then I guess you would not have been in the slightest concerned about him being on a route learning and shakedown trip. :rolleyes:
     
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  2. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    As someone who is rather supportive and rather grateful of what Mr Hosking has done for our hobby and movement in general I have to say this doesn’t sit very comfortably with me. Whatever their background or politics it’s just wrong simple as.
     
  3. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    My political leanings have absolutely nothing to do with it (FYI - I have never voted Labour!). As @Matt37401 says, it doesn't sit comfortably with me either. But because he owns a few steam locos and some pretty carriages, people don't care that he's stretched the rules to breaking point.
     
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  4. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Now he's started we just have to wait for the next stunt. My main concern is that his company may make it difficult for others to exist in the market.
     
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  5. steamvideosnet

    steamvideosnet Well-Known Member

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    Sorry Ralph, but that's absolutely not the case. It doesn't matter which way you vote or who you support that in this scenario. The fact that he is pro-Brexit means next to nothing*.

    The stay at home order that the government is legally enforcing, however, does mean something. In fact, the stay at home order means just that. Stay at home. I can't go and spend a week in the Highlands of Scotland at this time of year like I sometimes do. I can't go down a pub with my mates and laugh at the tragic state of affairs that is our country. I can't do anything other than eat, sleep, work, repeat. That's it. So how is it that I can't go on holiday for a week in Scotland and yet a multi-millionaire can when in both countries, people are told do not go out for anything other than essential travel?

    But no, going on what the interview with an LSL bigwig says in the Daily Record article you quote, LSL "...asked Jeremy to come along to test a range of new equipment we have onboard. He is an officer of the company and one of the less IT illiterate people we have... the coaches (abv) have new air conditioning, shower units and electrical equipment which had to be tested in live conditions."

    The two bits I've put into bold are key. If these are the real reasons, and not "driver training", then you have to ask the question how this is allowed in lockdown times? I want to test a new Sat Nav I've got in my car and a new lens for my camera**. Am I allowed to do that? Breaking news: No. No I'm not. LSL have a base the size of a small county in Crewe. Are you seriously telling me they can't test whatever it is that the owner needs to test on shed there? Why do they need the owner to be there to "test in live conditions" in the middle of Scotland for 3 days? Does this qualify as essential travel?

    And I'm curious to know what "officer of the company" means? That's a very odd way to put "member of staff", don't you think?

    James

    * apart from the fact he has quite a few very well placed Brexit-y friends in the government, who often like to ride with him on his special Brexit train...
    ** both are hypothetical new purchases. That would imply I actually have money to spend, to which I can assure you, I most definitely do not.
     
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  6. jonathonag

    jonathonag Well-Known Member

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    In my own TOC, we are still continuing with what we call 'Route Retention' trains and so the practice of sending out route refreshers is still on. However, I don't think that is what is causing frustration here.

    As James alludes to above, what testing was necessary by non operational staff that had to be undertaken in Grange Over Sands and on Glenfinnan Viaduct? I dare say, had their equipment proven disastrously faulty as they suggest they were testing for, being parked up on a viaduct is the last place you want to be caught out on. Static testing in Crewe would appear the obvious solution, however we don't know if any was performed first before these runs. The opportunity to test under realistic conditions is no doubt beneficial, perhaps the timing and location of overnight stays could have been better considered for both practical and image sake. After all, what did they learn on Glenfinnan Viaduct or Grange over Sands Station that wouldn't have been discovered in Fort William Yard or the loops at Carnforth?
     
  7. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Do you still think the government should do this, or (as you have bought politics into it) the use of the army in to quell any dissenters with water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets should only apply to those who are not large scale right wing donors?
     
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  8. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Just out of interest are the Directors of the company coming along with their dogs on these route retention trains ;):D? I do worry about the dog, poor soul must have been sat with his legs crossed!

    Just for completeness it was not Grange it was Arnside, and the vast majority of the train was not in the station overnight.
     
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  9. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    What I find odd is the idea that because someone has preserved some locos that this therefore gives them a free pass to ignore the laws that everyone else has to follow.
     
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  10. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    All legitimate debate but this is the ECS/Test Run thread and I think we should now leave it up to others to monitor what goes on at LSL in the name of proper activities with essential people on board and pass on any contraventions to those who need to know.
     
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  11. osprey

    osprey Resident of Nat Pres

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    So he broke the law?....why then is he not under arrest?
     
  12. Steamie Boxes

    Steamie Boxes Member

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  13. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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  14. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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  15. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    No sign of any movement yet, perhaps the police have told them that their journey is not necessary. :rolleyes:
     
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  16. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Something moving now, at Gresty Lane sidings.
     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2021
  17. Will RL

    Will RL Member

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  18. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    I am sure you would have gone out, tugging your forelock and fawningly given them a push if need be. (But only after checking which way they voted first).
     
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  19. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    I'm on my way to Beeston with my Cross of St George flag and speaker system to play Rule Britannia as the train comes past. :)
     
  20. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    45231 plus blood and custard support coach away from Crewe 2 mins early at 09:54. <BJ>
     

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