SVR General Discussion

And, if you actually read what I'd written, you'd notice that I'd acknowledged that the SVR have done the right thing and are acting reasonably. That doesn't mean that visitors aren't entitled to feel a level of disappointment, or that this doesn't need to be acknowledged.

Meanwhile, I suggest you consider what an "implied term" might be, and how that might have an impact on an event promote - including overriding T&Cs.

 

I feel my personal frustration is more down to the railway not really communicating properly what's going on. I had an email about my Scotsman visit a day ago, but it made no mention of the diesel assistance.

There hasn't been anything communicated via socials, etc, about what's happening or updated rosters, the timetable online has removed all locos bar 60103, and announcements re diesels are nestled away on web pages.

I am convinced I would feel less 'aggrieved' if it had been communicated better. I only found out about it by glancing at the forum, and when I went to see what else I could ride on during the day.

But no doubt if if the old man and I do go still, we will still have fun, and I am incredibly happy to see the SVR get back to full line operation again.

 

If you seriously are not happy, inform the SVR and somebody else may be able to use your seat(s).

 

I’d be cross if it was post-Gabriel Genesis, or Soft Machine, or ELP though.

 

Given the options are: limiting FS's exhaust or be forced into all diesel on an important weekend I know which option is better. Perhaps painting that maroon 50 was a bit of jumping the gun.

They are absolutely a key member and almost every drummer I know is in 3 bands at any one time because there are so few of them.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgdkken92eo

But goodness me, the whining from the puffer nutters under YouTube videos!

Just grow up - look at the surroundings and try to realise what damage your precious steam engine could do. The SVR has called it right.

 

Case of damned if they did, damned if they didn't

 

The clever thing to do would have been to have said something along the lines of ‘a lot has changed in the 60 wonderful years the SVR has been operating. As a responsible railway and respectful of our place in the local community we need to do all we can to mitigate the risks to the line side and neighbouring businesses. For this reason Flying Scotsman will be assisted by the 1960 built Class 20 diesel number ( I have no idea but you get my drift!)

If something like that had appeared in the press and the social media then a positive could have been made out of this situation. As it is I understand how some feel a little let down. It’s not the action that’s wrong, just the lack of upfrontness. I’ve some buy into this myself as I helped a work colleague get tickets as a surprise for her husband and I know she’s going to be asking me about ‘the diesel’ on Monday morning!

 

I would have thought that that was the logical thing to do. I find it almost unbelievable that the SVR did not send a quick apology in advance to those who had booked if that is what happened. The SVR had too much "invested" in not running FS but equally it was too risky to run on its own. People had paid a fair bit, depending on the package they had booked, for a train pulled by the Flying Scotsman, not one powered by a diesel with some assistance from FS. I am sure if most passengers had been notified in advance with the reasoning they might have been slightly disappointed but understood and more than happy still travel. Not being advised in advance about something that has changed when there was ample time to do so is when the public start to moan. It is also not fair on the volunteers on the day who will be the ones taking the brunt of the complaints.

If the public have booked a stream train trip ride that is what they expect. They are remarkably tolerant if for some reason something goes wrong on the day and throws a spanner in the works. Where some get upset is when the organisers change something in advance but don't tell you. That makes some feel like they are being taken advantage of. It may only be a small number but they are the ones who make the most noise.

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14DeeGaTtSh/

Posted by Matt Robinson on SVR Diesels Facebook page.

Final Diesel DiagramS for this weekend, same Saturday & Sunday:-

No Steam on 'normal' services, due to fire risk, all trains are now worked by diesel traction. The planned double heading with steam has been cancelled. 60103 'Flying Scotsman' trains are now 60103 solo, with 20142 dropped off after todays workings. After initially working the A3 in the tunnel to see what it threw out, to gently building up the work it did, it completed the last round trip with 20142 more or less idle, giving confidence to send it solo this weekend. All of the below remains subject to review and change.

Link to the public timetable:- 208_Timetable-2025_Swingin-Sixties-Weekend-final.pdf

Diagram 1:-

D9551
10.05 BH - KR
11.55 KR - BH
14.10 BH - KR
17.40 KR - BH

Diagram 2:-

20189
08//50 KR - BY (Light Engine)
09.35 BY - KR
10.15 KR - BH
12.40 BH - KR
14.25 KR - BH
16.55 BH - KR
18.40 KR - BY
19//30 BY - KR (Light Engine)

Diagram 3:-

20048
09.20 KR - BH
11.45 BH - KR
13.35 KR - BH
16.00 BH - KR

Diagram 4:-

D1062
10.55 KR - BH
13.20 BH - KR
16.00 KR - BH
18.20 BH - KR

 

I suspect the SVR will judge whether they have got it right or not by the number of actual complaints they receive from paying customers, rather than moans on an enthusiast forum. I think we (myself included) all live in a bit of a bubble on here, sometimes the bigger picture needs looking at.
Having looked at a few videos online tonight, the lineside and surrounding fields are totally yellow / brown - clearly the area has had little or none of the rain that has fallen here in Mid-Wales, just 70 miles to the west.
I agree, any fire would likely result in massive embarrassment, given the media attention (that the SVR have themselves sought). Let us not forget this weekend is the SVR trying to relaunch itself, claw some £ back having lost a 1/3 of its visitors so far this year and generally get itself back in the minds of families for the rest of the holidays. Negative publicity of FS burning down the countryside is seriously not needed.
We don't know what communication has been given on the day, but anyone looking out the window would have to agree it's a reasonable decision.
60103 was provided, has worked the train (& made some audible noise) and many happy punters will have got the photos they wanted. This is also a big, heavy, train - 60103 would have to be worked if unassisted - the SVR is NOT flat!
The priority is the next few days go to plan & the railway has a financially successful few days with lots of positive publicity. The Strathspey learnt the hard way what happens when something goes wrong with the world's most famous locomotive.
On balance I think the SVR have got this tricky situation about right and us enthusiasts just need to hold our nose for a bit.

 

Having just seen the post above mine regarding 60103 now running unassisted, seems a bit strange that it's still considered high enough fire risk to run 'normal' services diesel hauled, but the heavier FS service is now unassisted steam?
Hope they have called this right.

 

I really would love to see you come out and actually say that in the Western one evening in front of certain people that have a drink in there.

 

I think we will all have our own view on it, and I wouldn’t so much say it’s finding fault, rather than questioning what could we do better next time?

The fact is (and I know a certain events manager reads NP!) that 2 things stand out - How well informed are we keeping the public? And how necessary was it to subject those in the Bridgnorth end coach or so to constant 32 miles of Class 20 noise (Very loud even when idling!)?

- The changes made to the service for the weekend have not been offcially communicated through SVR socials. Infact till about 2000 last night the website still showed steam services running today with 75069/7714.
- I’m told that certain personnel didn’t want to announce it was all diesel so an “unofficial” route was taken via the SVR Diesels page.
- Now really we should be using the change of traction not only as further advertising of the event, but to keep our paying public informed. If you’d booked a ticket yesterday with steam advertised, you could surely understand why anyone would be hacked off if they weren’t informed of changes that weren’t on the day failures/or very short term. But for some reason we’ve shyed away?
- Similarly with FS we never really told anyone the 20 was gunna be on there. We just sort of let it filter out. A friend who travelled on the last train from Kidderminster yesterday was seated in the Bridgnorth end coach. They reported that the 20 (Even though it was idling for all the journey pretty much) was very loud, and the return from Bridgnorth was tedious because of it. Now okay, that’s 1 person, but you can see why people might be frustrated by it.

I’d be asking a series of questions -
Was the diesel a good call? - Yes absolutely.
Was the diesel being next to the same coach for 32 miles a good call? - No probably not.
Was there an easy way round it? - Unlikely, but then sometimes it’s worth making an effort.
Was there a more heritage way round it? - Yes.
Will the first images of a passenger working over Mor Brook be remembered entirely for the right reasons? - Not so sure they will.

Maybe there is a lot of negativity/fault finding because ultimately people know we can do better in places. And we should use that to strive to improve surely?

As I said yesterday the good thing is though - We are reopen!

 

Both @Sidmouth and @2857Harry make very valid points above. Communication in the age of social media is essential, expected - as well as easy to achieve.
I would still like to know how FS on 9/10 is less of a spark thrower than 75069 on load 7, but I trust that assessments made yesterday have come to the correct conclusions.
Having fairly green countryside around me here in Powys atm, the aerial video I watched of the scorched & lifeless landscape around Eardington bank yesterday was quite a shock.

 

I really wish the point about communications would be stressed more by more people. I really push about it, but change doesn’t seem forthcoming at times.

Scotsman will be on 9. And tbh I think that’s a reasonable load for an A3. The helpful factors include being fitted with mainline ashpan screens, spark arrestor, etc so that it should limit risk. They carried out some hard working testing in the tunnel yesterday and it emitted no sparks.

75069 has never been great tbf in hire fire risk. So I understand that. The pannier is usually pretty tight so I’d have run that personally.

 

Just watching FS depart Kidderminster on webcam, the car park looks damp - has there been some rain overnight? That may help the situation!!

 

Yep, heavy drizzle for a few hours this morning, especially at Arley. Currently at Eardington, still a little parched. The cutting to the halt is one to watch.