The Lakelander 2011 Tours

Turning a steam locomotive at Sellafield is now considered a security risk, according to the Carnforth Station visitor website.
Some things in life fail to surprise me.......
Regards,
John.

 

Unbelievable... the Cumbrian Coast was one of the 1st steam approved routes, steam locos have been turned there for decades. Hope someone sees sense.

 

The Cumbrian Coast Express on 24th September has been cancelled because of this,so has the Brief Encounter Special in October, many businesses rely on steam excursion trains for a boost to their income, not least the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway, WCRC,Carnforth visitor centre, and PRCLT(PMR Tours)whose trains have had to be cancelled.
Local MP's will have to be lobbied!

 

This is indeed sad news as I was booked on one of these trips. I suppose it begs the question did something happen during the summer months that prompted this move and also bearing in mind the fact that the above trains have been advertised for many weeks. Is this stretch of line now a no go area for steam?

 

The local MP *has been* lobbied - trust me! And his office have been working to resolve the matter.

Sellafield were apparently not given enough notice about the PMR and Carnforth tours, (they were not mentioned when approval was sought for the four Lakelanders) though are willing to hold talks about tours next year. It's whether or not others are willing to sit down that remains to be seen.

 

Oops! That's down to WCRC, isn't it? And not the first time they've had something turned down because they left it too late - that was part of the issue over "no week-day paths from Kings Cross". I hope they're not taking on more work than they can cope with. I wonder how much notice Sellafield require? I expect it's of the order of 12 weeks.

 

Not so - there was plenty of notice for this. This has other reasons, which are nothing to do with us, but represent the culmination of a hardening of attitude, over a period of time, in as far as they no longer want to be involved in these ops. Suggest you read Wilcock's column in thre current Heritage Rly.

In terms of the ECML, there may be some joy but, again, the current position is nothing to do with notice, as the indication that there may be a problem was clear well before any submission was made.

Check your facts!

JS

 

Thanks for the clarification James. If the Scarborough Spa i travelled on last week is an example of your performance i would have been surprised if it was West Coast at fault.
Regards,
John.

 

James, thanks for the explanations, and I'm happy to stand corrected.

 

Good public relations line there... I am well aware of the goings on - four "paths" onto site were initially applied for, four were granted. Perhaps WCRC should have got in touch with the MP's office, rather than the tour promoter, who really have nothing to do with the actual operation of the train, nor any dealings with the NDA/Sellafield.

The R&ER are willing to hold talks with all parties to resolve the matter and ensure that trains can run next year. As I understand it, Sellafield are quite happy to take part. It's whether or not toys can be put back into the prams of the other parties that we shall have to wait and see.

 

Perhaps someone should calculate how much money these charters bring in to the local economy. A press campaign with the headline that 'Sellafield costs local tourism so many £000's' would probably bring about a change of attitude.

 

I haven't seen steam advertised as going all round the coast to Carlilse, is this just something that's never happened, or is it restricted in someway ?

 

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There are restrictions on Mark 1 vehicles north of Maryport due to clearance.There have been trips on the whole length with RTC (71000 comes to mind) but usually with mark 2Fully air conditioned coaches and I think that stewards have to keep watch at the vestible ends to stop people hanging out of the droplights,this being part of the agreement to running the train in the first place.Nothing as yet from WCRC as far as I am aware.