Strathspey Railway

I think quoting what the mainline rules say in this case is a distraction - what matters is what the Strathspey’s procedures are for a coupling move.

And as @Steve and others have pointed out, stopping and then restarting a large steam loco close to its stock is not easy.

I’ve seen the video doing the rounds but will refrain from any specific comment on this incident and meanwhile await any report with interest.

Tom

 

Thanks for the heads up on a YouTube clip existing Tom. A trouser cleaning bill for those standing on the balcony of that coach I suspect.

 

It's not that easy now with some modern units. The older ones had definitive power notches and you knew as soon as you moved the power handle the train would move. Nowadays they're electronic and the computer decides how much power is needed, and there's often a lag between moving the handle and the train actually moving. Another issue is they have a combined power-brake controller, so it's not as simple as having separate power and brake handles.

We have to line up EMUs at a certain point at work so they're in line with the roof access gantries, and it's a lot harder than you'd think to get one to stop in exactly the right spot, within a 6 inch section.

 

If not an unwelcome trip under blues and twos down the A9 to A&E at Raigmore Hospital...

 

2 additional carriages to what there has been all week then.

 

I think this thread should have been locked a long time ago.

 

Sorry gentlemen, but if you physically cannot see what is happening on the footplate, you should not be making statements such as the below:

I would also humbly suggest that rampant speculation, as ever, is unhelpful to the wider railway industry.

When one of us is under the microscope, we are all under the microscope. Better to wait for the report to be completed and published.

Of course, that won't stop people arguing the toss about whose fault it is regardless. But remember that there are:

• Passengers
• A heritage railway
• A train operating company
• A museum and wider museum group
• A steam locomotive crew
• The emergency services

All involved at this stage. Some may or may not be reading this thread. Speculating whose fault it was could have damaging effects you perhaps haven't thought about, particularly in the relation to the crew.

I make no apologies for being robust in wanting some individuals to be balanced and informed, and also more mindful of the harmful effects of social media discussion on emerging situations, particularly individuals' mental health.

 

Totally agree. I should imagine the train crew are feeling pretty despondent without a lot of speculation. I hope someone is giving them appropriate support.

 

Some years ago, a similar incident happened at the KESR. A stationery four car set was effectively moved 3 metres by another propelled set.

The damage was considerable and the Strathspey will have to deal with similar issues. In the KESR instance, headstocks and a bogie bolster were bent, buffing gear was either cracked or bent bent, toilets and mirrors were smashed, and like the Strathspey, the entire contents of the a kitchen were strewn everywhere. Seven vehicles required immediate inspection by C&W working 24 hours a day for two days ahead of a Thomas event. Two vehicles were red-carded for heavy repairs. In all likelihood, the Strathspey C&W will have had similar challenges. I am not sure how many spare carriages they have but one can assume that hard work was required.

 

Well said Simon. I would just add, moderators please note

 

It's not their set, it's the Royal Scotsman. At least one vehicle has been taken away by road for assessment. 60103 is apparently being assessed today.

The Strathspey can essentially continue their services as normal now. The NRM's and Belmond's operations have been affected though. Hopefully damage to both loco and stock is minimal.

 

Not been the best month in Aviemore it appears:
https://www.strathspey-herald.co.uk...and-volunteers-at-strathspey-steam-ra-330220/

 

Here is the text from behind the Strathspey Herald login wall:



The operation of the Strathspey steam railway has been thrown into turmoil after a mass walk out by staff members and volunteers.

They are deeply unhappy with the running of the popular heritage railway which links Aviemore and Broomhill by Dulnain Bridge.

Matters came to a head at a meeting at the Cairngorm Hotel in Aviemore on Tuesday night when a vote of no confidence in 'certain members of the board' was put before the bosses but they refused to stand down.

The railway has not been running today with the railway company citing the weather caused by Storm Babet.

However, sources told the Strathy that this was a convenient excuse and have said that the long term future of the railway could be at stake if the present board does not stand down such is the dissatisfaction.

It is understood that the problems are long-standing and not connected with the recent accident involving the Flying Scotsman but one of the unhappy railway workers pointed out: "It has certainly not helped".

In the letter of expression of 'no confidence', those who have walked out cite:

• a lack of respect for all staff;
• a lack of leadership;
• a lack of forward planning and vision;

They state in the letter of no confidence: "This has led to what we feel is a compromise of our safety and a deep decline in staff morale.

"It has further led to a hostile environment resulting in staff leaving or wanting to leave, working contracted hours only and not having any goodwill towards the railway.

"The railway heavily relies upon staff's goodwill to operate the way you want it to.

"We request the following as minimum to satisfy this letter - the resignation of the whole board.

"We have plans in place to cover the required positions, ensuring a stronger board to carry the railway forward into the future.

"No workforce should have to come to this decision, however, we deem it to be in the best interests of the railway."

 

Was hoping to get a ride next weekend at the start of our week up there. Tried to book some tickets today and requested a call back, had a very stressed sounding reply stating they were short staffed and busy dealing with cancellations - now I know why my phone hasn't rung..

 

How very sad both for those apparently disaffected and for the future of the railway. What’s tragic is that the movers of the motion apparently believed that if passed it would have the desired effect. The board can’t be unseated like that so all that will have been achieved is to cause substantial damage to the railway.

 

12 months appears to be a long time. Last year when I travelled there was a terrific buzz around the railway - full trains, the newly restored and award winning black 5 and lots of positive projects on the go. The railway reported a healthy trading position too, unlike many others further south.

Obviously, it is difficult to know what goes on behind closed doors, but despite knowing I would only get up once this year I still renewed my membership. Real shame as it is a terrific railway and had always seemed well run.