Vintage Trains: Mayflower to Plymouth - 27/09/24

Correct, Andy Taylor drove Bristol - Plymouth - Bristol back in May too. Since Ray Churchill retired, VT don't have anyone with that route knowledge. I believe he is a regular driver on the Royal Duchy trips too.

 

Before leaving the train at Temple Meads.

 

The last I knew was some years ago when WC said they could no longer operate trains for VT, who thus had to set up their own ToC. Was The Mayflower a joint operation, or were VT now just employing someone who also works for WC?

 

Vintage Trains continue to operate the trains, they purely hired in Andy Taylor to drive these sections. Reading between the lines I think the impending retirement of Ray Churchill caused a number of issues a few years ago as his route knowledge was immense and he pretty much handled all of VT's work. Becoming their own TOC was a way of safeguarding operations and in Martin Fake & Alistair Meanley they are now developing the next generation. Don't forget Ray came out of retirement to help train up both and get the operation started.
I don't believe there is any ill feeling between the 2 TOCs, note the basing of the castles at Carnforth for recent northern operations and now the hiring of Andy Taylor for excursions to Plymouth. I am sure further co operation will happen if needed.

 

That was a WCRC resource issue rather than any falling out I understood.

 

Yes, caused by the retirement of Ray Churchill.

 

Did I notice up thread that Alastair Meanley drove Clun back from Plymouth, I assume conducted by Andy Taylor who was also on Clun for that leg, possibly part of a route learning process?

 

Alistair also drove Bristol to Paddington with a conductor back in May and I think also over the S&C too, so yes seems to be gathering plenty of route knowledge for the future.
Alistair's career story is pretty remarkable really when you consider as a teenager he helped with the rebuild of Rood Ashton Hall.