VT - 5043 to Edinburgh - 26/27/28 May

Just one thought. Although not connected with the charter business at all I see that the ORR has now called the level of cancelled and late running trains due to NR 'unacceptable' and is threatening the company with £24 million in fines if they fail to meet their targets by 2013/14.

Rail performance minister Norman Barker has joined in supporting these concerns and has reminder NR that 'they are a largely taxpayer subsidized concern'.

With regard to the question of 'how many hours in a shift, if you have the position of a manager in any organization, as any management manual will tell you, 'your first duty is to the welfare of the company' and if this means working extra hours (even without overtime) to ensure the satisfaction of your customers then so be it. The problem often is the younger managers often want the benefits of a title/pay structure with out the responsibilities.

I would also suggest that top management in an organization that keeps needing to reorganize itself and it's departments
is sadly lacking. Reorganization to the detriment of the service to your customers is never a good thing.

 

My mishmash of clips from the day is now on youtube. You can play 'spot the location', see which loco makes the most smoke, or trainspot from various loops!

VT's 'Castle to Scotland.' - YouTube

Alan.

 

To be frank it was the outward and return timings that were the killer in some of my parties cases, not aided by signallers holding us to time absoulutely everywhere, despite the fact I reckon one or two water stops could have been missed/shortened considering the Castle was coasting, Indeed at one water stop it looked like the tank had been topped up in less than 5 minutes.

Really it's the late issue of the timings that's the main issue, far too late for yourselves to ask for something better and it would look better to disgruntled passengers if VT said NR's actions in that case were not good enough rather than saying "what can we do ?, we have to put up with it" with is of little help to non enthusiasts on board being bored to tears at Abington.

One constructive suggestion for a rerun (I assume your already thinking of one to get Beattock done properly) : I'd recommend a Diesel leg to Carnforth to hopefully get you into Edinburgh at a respectable hour, really it's only the section north of Carnforth that matters from a performance point of view ?, would I be on that rerun ?, at the moment im going to take some convincing.

 

The points about being held to time and NR being fined for late running are intertwined. Gone are the days when the signalman wants you off his patch ASAP. Now if you're dispatched early, you're out of path and could end up causing delays to other trains that had been running to time.

 

I think some of these forum posts have no idea how and what a single day tour on the 'big railway' takes to organize let alone a 3 day hike round unfamiliar territories. I think I’m now just going to search for Ben and Bob's comments which are fact not worthless nonsense. Well done VT for what sounded like a testing weekend.
Looks like I had better start saving some pennies for the old man and I for October and a resounding must for May 2014. Will a Hall be included this time? Intriguing.

 

Thing is Andy, will non enthusiasts give a damn what goes on behind the scenes ?, it all very well trying to belittle enthusiasts as idiots, but daytrippers won't stand for that sort of c**p where timings are concerned, I've been trying my hardest to encourage family and friends onto mainline trips despite them not being enthusiast as such, but on recent showings im fighting a losing battle.

 

Ray - Coincidentally I am very familiar with "The Berliner". I am sure Neil will release the sordid details as and when he sees fit, but I will quietly mention that Vintage Trains International Division helped out with the catering; A large amount of stuff was loaded at the last minute into my car Thursday in time to catch the overnight ferry to Hook of Holland! The waitresses flew out (lucky things!)

Cheers!

 

Andy, I cannot stress enough how much GWR fans such as yourself (and especially your Dad) will want to be on the train 10/5/2014.

I think we will leave the Hall at home that day, but there will be 2 (yes 2!) Tyseley-based 4-6-0 Double Chimney green things thundering around to entertain.

 

David, maybe I am looking through rose-tinted glasses, but as far as I can tell the timings we (VT) have received so far this year have been pretty good. Not so sure about SD or RTC’s, although I did enjoy Day 9 of GB-V.

This weekend was not the best, and the late delivery caused added complication with getting tickets out, arranging water and supply stops, etc, not to mention arranging a 1:30am check-in for 24 staff and crew in Bo’Ness.

We have had the times for the Jubilee trip this Sunday and they are exactly (to the minute) what we asked for. The times for the Cornishman were nothing to be disappointed at either!

Many trips we run go off without a hitch with the engine we schedule at approximately the times we ask for.

Please don’t let this one “challenging” trip effect your future travel on our or anyone else’s tours.

 

Not sure about better, but definetly try and re-live!

 

I doubt it will be allowed to go 96mph down Wellington Bank, but a maximum of 90mph might be possible for a one off.

 

The date is already duly marked in the diary ! A chance to relive that wonderful day of 9 May 1964 perchance ?

David

 

Hi,
I don't know much about the GWR so whats special about 10/5/2014?

 

In 1964 a special 'all out last throw of the dice' ultimate GWR express railtour took place, using the cream of the surviving castles including 4079 Pendennis and 7029 Clun, from London to Plymouth and back. Not sure what route they used, I vaguely remember they used the Berks & Hants out through Westbury to Taunton, and back via Bristol but someone may correct me on that.

That's a point, Ben - if 4079 is out of Didcot by then will you get her involved?!

 

Route and timings The Railtour Files

 

Re: "Panniers on bank holiday weekend"

Ooops .... and there was me thinking that "stephenlammas89's" post of 30th May 2012 was merely an example of atrocious spelling, when he was actually looking forward from (or, more correctly, back to) the pannier trip of several days before his posting!! :nerd:

 

When are we likely to hear about the October tour my money is currently going to the shakespeare limited due to the fact its going from the southwest and there's where I live however I had a excellent trip on the cornishman which was my very first mainline steam tour and got home thinking I couldn't wait to do it again so I'm very intrested to find out what you have on offer in October as that's my birthday month Aswell which means I could get help paying for the tours being a young enthusiast I'm looking at doing as many tours as I can so please any idea on information would be most appriecated.

 

We are working with WCR and Chiltern Railways (now there's a hint!) to do a non-stop (and we mean non-stop) train in early>mid October. Full details will be announced within the next few weeks.

The Castle will only be able to take a limited amount of coaches (due to platform length and weight) so it will not be cheep.

As soon as we have some fixed info, I will put it up in a new thread.

Cheers!

 

Right, I've been following this topic, I wasn't traveling so I'm not getting involved.
I'm not a great admirer of GW locomotives BUT, credit where it's due, that 5043 looks the dogs danglies, and by hell it can go up a hill. It is a credit to every body connected with it, many thanks to you all.
And I like the little Panniers. :wink: