NYMR GALA SEPT

I know its still some 4 months away but wondered if anyone pls
has any ideas if it will be a "theme" event or if any visitors are hoped for???
Many tas
N

 

I think the theme will probably be steam.

 

with no heads out of windows allowed

 

If that is indeed the case on the Grosmont to Pickering section, here's one person who won't be travelling.

 

Same. I'm waiting to see what is said about this. If that is the case, I've made my last trip to my favourite line.

 

Feel free write to the ORR and explain to them why you should be allowed to endanger yourself and the railways ability to operate. I'm sure they'll give it a cursory glance before binning it. ORR has reportedly* been cracking down on window hanging so you're free to pout but it isn't going make a difference.

 

I think the ORR must be obliged to reply, as they replied to me when I wrote on an issue a few years back.
Where has it been reported "they are cracking down on window hanging" on Heritage Lines? their website says this is their areas of interest

The following are key areas of interest to minor and heritage rail:

• leadership and governance
• inspection and maintenance of:
  • permanent way
  • traction and rolling stock (T&RS), including the management of asbestos and other hazardous materials (e.g. lead, welding fume, dust)
  • structures, earthworks, and buildings
• competence management systems generally, with particular focus on operating staff (including drivers, firemen, guards, dispatchers, signallers) and those engaged in safety critical engineering maintenance roles (including traction and rolling stock, permanent way and signal engineering)
• rule book
• workshops and safe working environment
• staff safety, such as risk of working at height and working with heavy machinery
• level crossings – existing and new

 

Say what you like but Heritage Railways are offering a product and if that product does not appeal to certain people, then those people are not obliged to buy it. It’s not about pouting it’s about enjoying yourself where and when you can, I’ve got other hobbies on which I can spend my time and money. And I can still pursue my love of Steam abroad were rules are not so restrictive.

 

Whilst the ORR may or may not be clamping down, I have been on a couple of heritage railways where they are decidedly jittery about things being put out of windows, be they heads, arms microphones or cameras. On both occasions, I was warned not to do it.

 

I have always found that very random. For example well before Covid I dropped into the Bluebell on the way back from a CME. Told by someone at HK not to do it. Never had been before, and have not since either.

 

Anecdotally, the flailers of various diesel galas have attracted attention. With the advent of screens on cameras and phones, people are more focused on the screen than their surroundings like the woman in the US who got full body slammed by the steam locomotive because she was so focused on her phone screen.

https://www.orr.gov.uk/search-news/safety-first-droplight-windows-heritage-and-charter-trains

ORR also wrote to the HRA to remind members of the danger after the Twerton incident where a woman was killed after getting hit by a tree branch from hanging out a window. https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2020-10/raib-twerton-passenger-fatality-2020-10-15.pdf

Ultimately, the responsibility is being placed on the operator whether its heritage or mainline. Its a conversation that feeds back into the WCRC's fight with the ORR.

 

I would like to think that at most railways there is no risk of hitting lineside furniture by having your head slightly out of a window. I say most as I can think of some exceptions, Ffestiniog for example. However when it comes to people full body leaning out or arms out there is more of a danger. The problem is you can't really regulate one without regulating the other and I hope this isn't the case but I think unfortunately the day will come where it gets fully cracked down on. I think at that point I would be inclined to agree with Spamcan81 and start enjoying the hobby in different ways i.e abroad.

 

AIUI the ORR have not (yet) (publicly) stated that any preserved railway must prevent window hanging, in so many words. If the Moors are intending to enforce a ban on, or physically prevent, window hanging as their best interpretation of the rules / their best attempt to enforce what is necessary / their SMS paperwork, then it may be in their interest to hear public opinion. Doesn't mean to say that the NYMR or the ORR will, or necessarily should, change their stance, but the former at least may wish to take it into account, given that they are offering a product which the public may or may not choose to purchase.

 

I question how many of the travelling public, do so with the intention of window hanging anyway. It's hardly a large proportion when theres only 2 or 3 heads out on an average trip, and of these, how many consider window hanging to be their sole purpose for the journey.

 

Could well spell the end for Gala events though?

 

Absolutely right, but a gala isn't really an average journey. The same argument could be made against hiring in a visitor (certainly anything that isn't Scotsman, Tornado or a Thomas) or running a gala at all.

 

If that becomes reality, and locos, including visitors, look likely to be into my rather narrow SR/BR standard steam focus, there is a higher chance of me making that long journey North.

Bryan B

 

But then as I believe the ORR would like to kill off the Heritage sector, despite their (perhaps forced) public stance of publicly supporting it, then that all helps with that aim.

 

It would be a great shame if my steam loco focus being so narrowly on SR and some BR standard class steam locos contibutes in some way to the end of the Heritage sector. If I see that coming I will of course widen my interest for the good of all, but on bended knees now, please, please don't force me to include any GWR locos.

Bryan B