Jacobite 2024

Yes they are

 

No different side of train

 

And to get off at Eridge

 

The Jacobite attracts visitors from all over the world and our OTT regulations just make us look silly.

 

John this is a company that has consistently lied and messed about with the ORR, if you’d like to read the rap sheet again I’m more than happy to post the links.
I really don’t think it makes ‘us’ look silly, I have to say I’m rather grateful that at least there’s an independent body about and that’s prepared to reign ‘them’ in because how far those prats in charge at 10A want to go before something goes drastically wrong it really will mess all of our movement up.
I’m very much reminded of what the late Michael Draper said about the movement ‘sowing the seeds of its own destruction’ I’d say he’s pretty bang on about WC at the moment.

 

No nerves hit here in 31A, I just think Apples and Oranges are being compared that’s all.

 

A little extreme methinks given that IMHO the owners simply want to re-create the experience of the 1960s with 1960s equipment. Sadly the railway has moved on and each step forward makes it more difficult to retain that 1960s experience. If you consider "those prats in charge at 10a" to be unmindful of the modern railway note that it operates the Northern Belle with modern stock fitted with CDL and air braking powered by a steam locomotive retrospectively fitted with air braking equipment. Its current problem it seems is the demand of the ORR to operate all trains on the modern railway using modern equipment without considering either the cost or technical problems of so doing. In fairness the modern railway is not the place to mix modern technology and the 1960s experience hence the Fort William - Mallaig route being about the last location where it has been possible. It will be interesting to see the difference between the MkI and MkII experience of the Jacobite apart from the reduced accommodation on each train.

 

If it was down to me they would have been permanently banned from the network over the Wootton Bassett incident.

 

Fred, I’m not a big fan of Mr Woolmar but I’d suggest you have a read of this. https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/dont-blame-health-and-safety-for-killing-the-harry-potter-steam-train/

 

I’m not defending WCR for making the mistake of thinking they could take on the ORR and win. It’s the OTT regulations that make us look silly in the view of those who happen to live in countries where adults still take responsibility for their own stupidity. What makes it even worse is the inconsistency, we have idiot politicians who pass legislation forcing CDL on perfectly safe rolling stock while trying to convince us that smart motorways are safe.

 

Looking at RTT now, it shows the train as having only got to Glenfinnan with the rest of the journey to Mallaig cancelled due to a problem with the traction equipment. Nothing on there to show it has returned to Fort William either. Problem with 45212?

 

Totally agree with you on the (not so) smart motorways, however the roll out was a political decision where politician's eyes lit up at the opportunity to undertake a massive expansion of motorways at a fraction of the cost of building new roads.

Unfortunately it was rushed through without also investing the necessary cash to ensure they were as safe as possible. I saw a documentary that highlighted a number of corners had been cut - including not installing rescue areas at frequent enough intervals (contrary to expert advice) & not investing in sufficient CCTV - with the result there are numerous blank spots where broken down cars can not be spotted.

It is a disgrace, there are probably criminal acts where money saving has been put above safety and yes it warrants further investigation at the highest level. I suspect we haven't heard the last as there are unfortunately a number of grieving families who deservedly want answers.

However, 2 wrongs don't make a right and the ORR have been proven correct in their application of the law regards CDL. The time to argue the law's unfairness was probably about 10 years ago - not now.

 

Does West Coast have to pick up the bill for the Scotrail cancellation and the Rail replacement buses that Scotrail had to use?

Stated elsewhere that the train was rescued by a diesel. Certainly not a successful return for the Jacobite. I wonder what the ORR are making of today.

Dave B

 

Do the ORR get involved every time a train fails on the network??? These things happen, especially when the weather is poor - presumably adhesion was the issue? 7 coaches seems the norm for the morning train...

 

No they dont. But I recollect they get a copy of the national daily log from the Network Rail National Ops Centre. So they will be aware.

With regard to delays; yes they (WCR) will pick up the costs of the schedule 8 impact on Scotrail yesterday. I do recollect there was a cap on Charter Train Track Access contracts - limiting their exposure. What I am unsure of, is given the Jacobite services are in the Working Timetable, whether the normal schedule 8 performance liabilities exist - without the protection of a cap associated with Charter Train Operators.

 

A railtour train sometimes has a long stop (for example for a steam loco to take water) at a short platform. In that situation some doors remain locked and passengers walk through to another coach to get off. That must be within the rules or the TOCs concerned would have been in trouble.

 

I suspect not or Northern would have been booted off the system during the time they were using Class 37's on the Cumbrian Coast.

The glee anything negative regarding WCR happens is reaching a level possibly beyond turkeys voting for Christmas with said turkeys basting and stuffing themselves as well , however much one loves Jeremy and LSL and hates (for whatever reason) David Smith and WCR, an LSL monopoly on the mainline is going to be as dreadful for mainline steam as a WCR one would equally be.

 

Almost certainly WCRC will get the delay attribution for any consequential delays or cancellations. The situation was complicated by wind blown debris caught in the OHLE around Craigendoran Jn.
I think rail replacement buses are meant to be paid for by the delay attribution compensation.

Cheers, Neil

 

Yesterday afternoon the delay message the disruption message on National Rail implied the delays were all due to the OHLE issue you mentioned, and certainly one service was nearly 50 minutes late on departing Glasgow, it did appear to subsequently reach Mallaig, but the RRB message looked more like a link to planned short turns at FW in attempt to try to keep to some sort of schedule. 1Y41 was down to the Jacobite issue I assume, as was 1Y48 having to start at FW anything other delay seems a little unclear to me as being a Jacobite issue.