The Great Britain XVI - 13/04/24 to 21/04/24

But it’s a reason we don’t send children up chimneys or down mines anymore.

 

Both 5's are on the trip. 54 was repaired yesterday morning and steam tested successfully, before being turned when the tour returned in the evening from Kyle.

As per the rest of the tour so far, No. 44871 leads.

 

Sounds like an Apple user!

 

Whilst agreeing about the need for engagement I feel we do not know what the quality of that engagement was. That can range from the imperious "We will change the standards from (specified date) irrespective of your concerns" to "We wish to introduce new standards from (specified date) , what will be your concerns" hence unawareness of the approach and the consequent tone of the "consultation" is unknown. Having spoken to David Smith in the past I have found him both courteous and reasonable hence I can understand the wrong approach will render him unwilling to discuss matters of interest. Because the official terms of any "consultation" are unknown it seems unfair to blame WCRC for its responses; the decision not to co-operate may be the consequence of the approach made to WCRC hence the public seems to be judging the company on limited information. I confess my appreciation of what WCRC has achieved, have travelled on their services over the years and have found little to complain about. It has provided a reasonable service at a reasonable price and left this customer completely satisfied.

What is not known is whether the Jacobite route is being considered to the same standard as the WCML. The WCML is a major part of the network where high speed frequent services operate hence strict standards are set for the safety of all users both freight and passenger. The Jacobite route is a secondary route, albeit a main line within its locale where different standards can apply as WCRC are requesting and it is appropriate to ask whether standards applicable to one (high speed) line should be applied to a different (local line). In my opinion it seems that that is what WCRC are asking but it seems that ORR are demanding both lines be treated in the same way in the name of "safety" despite the different nature of their usage.

 

Looking at your pictures on the Kyle Line I'm still gutted that I didn't make the effort!!

 

Are we seriously suggesting that you will not injure yourself falling out of a door at 40mph?? Really not sure I understand this secondary route argument or am I missing something?
Secondary routes also introduce other hazards such as limited clearances, poorly managed vegetation and short platforms (amongst others).
In the case of the Jacobite there is also a much higher percentage of passengers who have absolutely no familiarity with this type of now very heritage door. I believe that is the risk trying to be addressed (& yes I accept the argument doesn't address all those risks), but the lower speed of the train has nothing to do with it.

Edit: I see CDL discussion is now spread across 3 threads, apologies for responding here!

 

From experience of tourists and Slam doors, most don't know how to open the door themselves and wait for a member of staff... On that basis, I'd say the locks are pretty failsafe as they are!!!

 

Thay has applied on heritage lines for quite a few years and with the HST's with slam doors in the West Country as well.
" Where is the door open button?" must be uttered hundreds of times per day on heritage lines.....

Cheers, Neil

 

The other one that can really confuse people is watching passengers banging the door shut multiple times only for it to keep bouncing open again as they're clearly expecting 'slam-door' and haven't realised you need to reach out the window and turn the handle 90 degrees to latch the door shut manually with some styles of door.

 

Quick snaps at Elgin and Edinburgh.

 

Very much so.

 

You almost certainly wouldn’t injure yourself falling out of a train at 40 mph, you would kill yourself just as you would if you fell out at 25 mph. As a Mk1 has no internal door handles it would be difficult to do by accident.

 

Tangmere heading the Great Britain through Brock in the drizzle, it was sunny a few minutes earlier

 

Back to the main subject of the thread we see day 7 of the GBXVI at Abington, near Crawford, Cleuchside, Breckonhill and finally Clifton.

 

Carlisle 19.04.24.

 

Shame the axe wielder isn’t

 

And then there were three



Ian Riley's 5's Nos 44871 and 45407 'The Lancashire Fusilier' having handed over to 'Tangmere' at Carlisle speed through Beckfoot and on to Carnforth, reluctant to pass the GBXVI headboard by the looks of it



SR Battle of Britain class No. 34067 'Tangmere' heads the GBXVI through Beckfoot and on to Liverpool with Mick Rawling driving and Martyn Soames on the shovel. True to form a big yellow thing and blue skies appeared shortly after the train had passed

 

34067 at Carnforth and Oubeck Goods Loops