Oliver Cromwell 70013 visits WSR

Not sure if this has been discussed at length but 70013 visits MNR,SR and WSR between mainline trips over the last month, but does not work service trains.
There is probably a very good reason for this and I just wondered if anyone can shed any light on storage/maintenance only. By the way does it fit on WSR turntable as I think it was too long for SR turntable?

 

Probably cheaper than a main line depot,DB Schenker and WCR are in competition! 70013 arrived tender first so probably ready for her next main line move.
Colin

 

The WSR is 75ft i think and ours at swanage is 50ft oli cromwell is about 67 foot

 

On another thread the turntable length has been quoted as 65' over the wheelbase. <BJ>

 

What a waste of a great loco to visit one of the best private line's in this country and not run #-o
any one know's why it would have been a money winner for both company's ,

 

WSR

I understand the loco will not fit on the 65' Minehead turntable, and also I understand the terms of use make it uneconomic to use the loco on service trains. But the WSR are delighted to have the loco stabled on the line.

Steve

 

Many thanks for that steve shame but hope to see it this weekend if i can get away from
working on king coach,take care and thanks again for your help with the king christmas cards
they are coming on great,
all the best
jane \/

 

Thanks Steve for your reply. "The terms of use make it uneconomic" is certainly interesting and seems company policy with the owners of OC at the moment, not to use it on preserved lines between mainline trips. Tornado owners obviously have a different agenda and wish to see their loco pulling in the crowds (and money) for all concerned. I suppose I should be greatful 70013 is not still tucked away in a shed in Norfolk!

 

"seems company policy with the owners of OC at the moment, not to use it on preserved lines between mainline trips"

Good point, although 70013 has run on the North Yorks and the Severn Valley.

The owners are the NRM but the 5305la are the operating group. Obviously any running agreements and steaming fees are confidential betwen the two parties (after all - we don't have our annual salaries or bonuses banded around here) but it would be interesting if someone from 5305la could clarify the situation to avoid speculation.

 

In addition to NYMR and SVR I think 70013 has worked on Keighley & Worth Valley earlier this year.
May be you have to get your request to operate it into NRM well before the event. If that's the case then that may be why we couldn't use 70013 at Swanage due to the comparatively 'last minute' nature of the movement onto our metals.
I hope we try to arrange a proper running visit in 2010 - 70013 looks/sounds awesome.

 

70013 hasn't worked on the NYMR! It would be nice to see it there, though.

 

Nope, never worked on the Moors although was up here in February for the KWVR Winter Gala, everyone seems to be forgetting the Great Central through the winter, or is there some kind of cheeper agreement for letting them use their facilities for the overhaul i wonder?

 

Can you imagine the sight and sound of O.C. on the 1-49 incline at Beck Hole?
It's enough to make you go weak at the knees \/ . <BJ>

 

Interesting ideas to my original question and I am sure the NRM have their reasons for the benefit of the loco and support crews. The visits to KWVR and SVR were for their Galas, so obviously obligations to fulfil here and booked well in advance for crewing. Although mainline trips are booked months in advance, stabling/running on preserved lines in between must be seen as a risk to the tour operators as well especially with OCs heavy mainline schedule over the last 2 months.
Thank you to the WSR for answering my question on turning locos like 70013 on their turntable, as demonstrated with Tornado this week. (Although I believe OC is facing the correct way for its next trip anyway!)

 

As I said before, I'd love to see it, and I know that the NYMR has certainly inquired about its availability for a Gala, but I believe that the NRM now has a policy that gala visits have to coincide with the loco being in the approximate geographical area at the time. Perhaps the NYMR needs to collaborate with Locomotion so it can be booked for appearances at their respective events, which are usually only a week or so apart.

 

The NRM are probably looking at wrapping their locos in cotton wool at present with the ongoing 4472 "rebuild" #-o 8-[ . But I will leave that for another topic!! :-$

 

The reason it is on the West Somerset is so it is in place for a railtour which has been Ollie's main source of work recently. This has to be it's priority as it has an obligation to the promoter. If the locomotive was to work West Somerset trains and subsequently fail (however minor) and was subsequently unable to work the railtour this would cause serious upset the promoter, railtour customers and lose the 5305 society/NRM a significant hire fee. I would imagine that Tornado hasn't come cheaply to either the West Somerset and later this year the SVR. It is however very likely the additional vistors to the line have/will cover these costs and these visits have been well publicised in advance so railtour operators know the situation when hiring the locomotive. The locomotive has been hired in these cases specifically to work trains and the railtours have been subsequently organised around this-in this case the obligation is more to the railway and not the promoter. Also as has been mentioned previously there is also time to organise volunteers for manning the locomotive which can not be done at the last minute.
On the other subject, when you consider how much mileage has been clocked up by 60007 for example running light engine to and from the Moors (often to London) maybe it's not such a bad move by the NRM to limit useage to the local area where Ollie is. I dread to think how much a pacific costs to run per mile when you take into account maintenance as well!