WCME/CME 2024

99 6001 often works the Selketalbahn but beware, there are steep gradients there also.

 

If the times change, but my interest is in the "old" thing, then it's unsurprising that people drift away to pursue other interests - or other places that allow them to experience their interest as they would wish.

I enjoy rail travel, and enjoy both heritage steam and diesel. But my enjoyment in them is largely in experiencing that heritage traction*, not just having the warm fuzzy feeling that something heritage is on the front of my train.

* - the exception is heritage rolling stock, where air conditioned Mk2s are never likely to tick the box for me.

 

IF it is, I'd agree. But LSL have kitted out their rake of Mk 1s, SRPS have a plan for theirs, VT for early Mk2s. Isn't it quite likely that WCR's response will come in a number of phases--- use their air braked stock plus hire in ; kit out the NB and both sets for the Jacobite ; kit out two rakes of Mk1s for example? While they are doing that, it is not going to be ideal for the enthusiast end of the market.

 

"Millions" is probably an exaggeration, but they're not exactly struggling. Their accounts for last year are at https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03066109/filing-history.
They show a 2023 turnover of £11.7m, of which £1.9m was profit, up from £1.6m in 2022.

 

Something like this maybe? https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/...c5bf8f0b42184f9df2bce69ee8a6f7803dbadf10ad1bc

 

But you then need to split that down between work for Network Rail, Northern Belle, Jacobite, steam/diesel charters. I suspect we can all guess what the least profitable in that family might be.

Also, when it comes to investment decisions, it's the asset position which is important, not just the P and L. Several million for CDL is a big decision for a company of that size.

 

times in for WCME 10th February
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...0/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt&toc=WR

Neil

 

Yeah I’ve got a bit of a plan formed for my time there. Much of it spent on railcars and the like!

 

As is purchasing one Stanier 4-6-0 and overhauling it for mainline operation and possibly buying another and doing the same thing…

 

Tangmere at 100mph will be exciting then

 

Not going to comment on the wider hobby, but in terms of the market that WCR (and all the other TOC's/promoters) occupy I suspect that it is the sheer cost of travelling which will cause problems with the whole market going, we have a household income well above the national average and I can't justify myself and my wife going on a trip for a cost that isn't a million miles less than what I could pay for a week away as a family.

 

I’ve said this quite a few times, but for the cost of a mainline trip myself, the missus and a few friends could have a really nice long weekend away in Norfolk or Suffolk, have a meal on the North Norfolk and still have change left over.
We don’t mind paying for something decent but mainline steam is just not worth the hassle or cost for us.

 

Companies such as WCRC and individuals may need to accept change and move with the times, but what that implies depends who you are. One railtour passenger may not care at all what is on the front of the train, another may prefer steam but be content with seeing the smoke/steam drift past the window (for some of the time), another may choose not to travel at all if they can't hear the loco, or if there is a diesel on the back, or if they can't stick their head out of a window. Those are their personal choices and no-one can tell them they are wrong. Fortunately there seem still to be enough people wishing to go on railtours and able to afford the fares.

 

And if you read Trip Advisor there's a vast range of other things which matter to the people writing in. For example late cancellation due to technical problems really upsets the special anniversary segment.

 

The RAIB report into the Stafford SPAD was critical of ORR, of how they appear to have not really noticed DCR went from a heritage to mainline operator.
Thankfully, not only did DCR drastically improve its standards and systems and drop the fake mainline driver but also ORR improved its procedures for managing and monitoring new operators.

 

Ah the Douro Valley . What memories of the superb 4-6-0s on the Broad gauge and the beautiful narrow gauge locos at Regua in 1974…….

 

They’ve only had 25 years to get it right Al.

 

If you want the 2-6-2 forget the Brocken and visit the Selketal line for your obvious pleasure. If you want to sample the Brocken I feel the Mallet is also worth a try although it doesn't have the bark of the 099.23s but it looks more "traditional" a branch line trainset.