North Yorkshire Moors Railway General Discussion

I suggest that your observations of steam being "a luxury, rather than an expectation" go more or less to the heart of what is currently wrong a the NYMR's management level. I think it comes across that the operational departments are struggling to do their best, despite being allocated pitiful resources (if the loco department only gets 5K per steam loco, as reported by @Steve [and it's a figure I've heard before] how much do you think C&W or PWay get?), whilst the expanding "commercial " and "marketing" departments squander whatever money is brought in with their increasing numbers. The philosophy of what the NYMR should be, and what its customers expect, is blinding by its absence. These "management" people haven't a clue about what a heritage railway should be trying to do and offer, and describing them as managers really is an affront to the term - and perhaps the explanation why none of them engage in social media is actually now explained (@Lineisclear are you reading this?) - in a way it's fair, as no-one would enjoy being crucified, but at times it's necessary that, with everything going down hill, one has to learn from failure, pledge to do things differently and take whatever help and advice is offered. It doesn't have to be accepted or followed, but giving it measured and rational consideration would be a good start.

 

The NYMR said that lack of steam operation due to fire risk was responsible for poor visitor numbers in the early season 2025.

If steam is so important why is diesel substitution so accepted? I know it's early this year in terms of full line operation but does anyone know if the last service from Grosmont on Wednesdays (the busy train from Whitby) and first ex Pickering on Saturdays are expected to be diesel like last year because of operational convenience?

Jon

 

I'm afraid that I no longer have access to the WTT and rosters so I can't answer that one. It seesm to be the favourite at the moment to put a diesel on the 09.20 ex Pickering. It's interesting that they seem to be managing with 6 coach trains to Whitby which indicates a significant fall off in visitor numbers given that they aren't allowed to carry more passengers than they have seats.

 

On the upside it makes using 4MT tanks etc full line to Whitby more viable if the trains are 2 fewer in length, perhaps?

 

Does putting steam on 10.55 ex-Pickering and arrival back at 17.50 mean it can be done with one crew? Though looking at it again, that doesn't really leave any break time until about 4pm, so not ideal.

 

At my local line, the maximum for loco turns is 12 hours. The crew must book on 3 hours before off shed time, and 40 mins after on shed time. AIUI there is a relief crew rostered to run round the engine at the MPD end of the line so the crew gets a break after each trip. Therefore, the maximum operating hours for an engine would be 8, but that's if there's no shunting and no steam heat.