Jacobite 2024

So, after all the hard done by story's, west coast has managed to find 5 CDL fitted MK2's to send up to scotland, , now they have every air fitted loco they have available to them in use, on the GB, and just one engine to start the Jacobite season with, fingers crossed nothing fails, but it is a problem of their own making, Riley not having 60103 available until the NRM complete their tendering arrangements, also takes that engine out of the equation, if that was available, I'm sure that would have been rostered on part of the GB, leaving a 5 spare in case it was needed.

 

I presume they are the standard class portion of the rake that has been doing the RTC trips the last few months as there's no standard class on the GB. Consist has 4 TSO Mk2 coffins and the non-CDL Mk1 RMB 1860.

 

No, 6115 and 9493 are at Southall presumably for RTC trips after the GB.

The vehicles behind 45212 (3360, 6000, 6022, 6103) have come from Carnforth and have not been used for several years.

 

Thanks, facts are always better than assumptions and speculation.

 

Sorry, I am now totally confused. WCR now has coaching stock with CDL ready to restart the operation converted from it's existing fleet.
If we are to believe the issues about supply and lead times, either they were working on this before the protestations and had a workable plan or they have sourced, fitted and approved the modification in double quick time.
So what was the benefit in spending all that money on lawyers and further damaging an already tense relationship with the regulator? Not to mention the many brassed off customers and lack of income.
I really am struggling to see how WCR, knowing that they had in place a plan or capability to comply, did anything except waste a load of money and reduce their income. Seems a very strange way of doing business.

 

These are dual braked mark 2’s, aren’t they. Not exactly Harry Potter style coaches and needing locos to be air braked rules out a lot of WCRC steam locos. Ok, I know they don’t tend to use their own on the Jacobite but I can understand the reluctance to use this stock and having to dual brake everything.

 

No, air braked only. The two Mk1s that are heading to Fort William are dual braked.

The more pertinent question is why have WCRC sent a load of coaches north behind a non-ETS fitted 47, when the vehicles require an ETS supply to operate the air con and keep the batteries charged? CDL doesn't work without a power supply from somewhere!

 

Yes I understand about the air braking and not so Harry Potter style, it just seems strange the reasoning as to why they would protest so much and spend on other items when a solution was already in hand.

 

Just operate the trains free of charge but with passengers being members of an exclusive club by subscription?

 

Can the 37s at Fort William provide ETS?

 

Whatever plan WCRC have for operating some sort of "Jacobite" over the next few weeks, if it is to include paying passengers one wonders why they couldn't have started it sooner and avoided cancelling so many bookings.

 

I understand that the stock hadn’t been used for years so would probably need a thorough mechanical Chevy, recertifying and a FTR exam. Not a five minute job

 

45212 at Paddy Lane

 

Cannot remember when it was due to start, but I doubt they have lost many more or (or even as many) days of service to passengers then the big railway has caused their passengers to suffer over the past 18 months, on what one might argue is an unequally unwinnable argument.

 

Should have started doing it at the end of November when they started selling tickets. This should have been their Plan B.
There is one thing selling a tour / event on a promise of a particular loco that hasn't turned a wheel since overhaul, quite something else when you can't guarantee the coaches.

 

I actually knew that you can't dual brake a mark 2 so it was a senior moment to say they were dual braked (and I'm getting pretty senior, unfortunately.) The rest of the post is valid, though.

 

They’re not 37/4s which have a very limited ETH capability in any case.
I don’t think WC have any 37/4’s on their books atm, the most recent sales from DRS saw them snapped up by other operators. My user name tractor’s ended up back at Crewe.

 

John, this is where you future proof yourself though, I’m going to be away for a day or so when myself and colleagues have an event organised in 2 months time, we’re slowly trying to get everything sorted so I can have that time away and it’s not going to have that much of an impact.
We go back to one of my favourite sayings regarding the 6p’s Positive Planning Prevents Pi$$ Poor Performance.
Something sadly lacking (despite their prep school education) from those at 10A

 

Well it's running...

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/ViYzQA2jJ15C4WvJ/

45212 tender first and half a dozen very dark carriages. Saving the batteries for when the CDL needs to be operated?

Edit - another video has appeared.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/UH7aiw9TJNM2qiCW/

4 Mk2s and 3 Mk1s, the latter with all their doors locked out of use. So 234 seats available out of possibly 372.

 

Does having the doors locked out of use mean they can still be used, but passengers can only enter via the MK2'S, how does that effect the CDL on the coaches fitted with it, unless the mk1's have through wiring does that not render the CDL inoperative?