'The Bath Christmas Market'; Three Bridges-Bath & Bristol; 34067 Tangmere Sat 8 Dec12

Re: 'The Bath Christmas Market'; Three Bridges-Bath & Bristol; 34067 Tangmere Sat 8 D

Five mins early at Salisbury.

Tom

 

AFAIK, there is a 1in200 gradient out of Fareham for 3/4 mile. Icy rail head this morning too.

James at SVN

 

Re: 'The Bath Christmas Market'; Three Bridges-Bath & Bristol; 34067 Tangmere Sat 8 D

But it's not at Parkstone this week. Already been mentioned that its actually working hard/pushing so not just for heat. Looking at the pictures it looks like it is providing steam heat anyway.

 

Re: 'The Bath Christmas Market'; Three Bridges-Bath & Bristol; 34067 Tangmere Sat 8 D

There is a note from Nigel Dobbing (at least I think it's him) on another thread stating that all their Christmas tours will have diesels on the back for heating. If you don't like it tough! As he points out these tours are primarily aimed at the family market and they don't like cold trains!

 

Re: 'The Bath Christmas Market'; Three Bridges-Bath & Bristol; 34067 Tangmere Sat 8 D

From the top of Portsdown hill which I've not tried before & won't be again unless the conditions are perfect. Why is it when we could do with a bit of cloud we get clear blue sky with no could in sight, but when we want the sun we get the only cloud for miles around covering the sun at exactly the wrong time???????
34067 Tangmere - The Bath Christmas Market - Portsmouth 08/12/12 - YouTube

 

Re: 'The Bath Christmas Market'; Three Bridges-Bath & Bristol; 34067 Tangmere Sat 8 D

How can you say it's pushing without knowing how West Coast set up the engine revs on their 47's ?, I've heard many things growling away while effectively idling so using this an an indicator can be misleading, might not be Parkstone this week but with 34067's track record, I think WCR, might have a few tough questions put their way if 34067 gets into grief again, I also recall some complaints from passengers last year or 2010 that the steam heat on some tours was something less than effective, hence I presume the bigger use of ETH we are seeing.

Don't get me wrong I'd rather be diesel free, but your not going to last long as a tour company with no effective heat in winter or blocking a mainline for 90 mins as more than a one off.

 

Re: 'The Bath Christmas Market'; Three Bridges-Bath & Bristol; 34067 Tangmere Sat 8 D

If electric heating is the only effective method, (though this point has been debated), it would be nice to see RTC / WCRC invest in a generator car for future use during winter months. Other tour promoters manage to do this after all, & while I accept the family market don't like cold trains, I'm sure many of those families are also dismayed by the presence of diesels at the rear. To suggest this is only of concern to the hard bitten enthusiast is a little disingenuous I would argue.

Not sure the inclusion of a diesel on the rear is just about heating anyway, especially as we hear it has already been used for assistance purposes today. Also, if RTC / WCRC decided in advance to include a diesel (for train heating), in the formation of all their Christmas trains, they should have made this clear in the advertising in my view. After all, the trains were primarily aimed at the family market we're told, who would have welcomed that additional information you'd have thought ?

 

Re: 'The Bath Christmas Market'; Three Bridges-Bath & Bristol; 34067 Tangmere Sat 8 D

I'm not laughing! But I'm a firm believer in getting what I pay for (and that is one reason I do not now partake in any steam tours). Don't forget there are two different situations here, a box for heating & a box pushing a steam ornament on the front for show advertised as a steam HAULED trip!

EDIT, partially overlapped post #29 above.

 

Re: 'The Bath Christmas Market'; Three Bridges-Bath & Bristol; 34067 Tangmere Sat 8 D

But as you don't partake in steam tours, you haven't therefore paid for anything, so I don't see why you have any cause for complaint here?

 

Re: 'The Bath Christmas Market'; Three Bridges-Bath & Bristol; 34067 Tangmere Sat 8 D

Coasting into Westbury 10 mins up. Scheduled stop. Left at 13.10(ish)

 

Re: 'The Bath Christmas Market'; Three Bridges-Bath & Bristol; 34067 Tangmere Sat 8 D

A matter of principle, I'm still allowed an opinion.

 

Re: 'The Bath Christmas Market'; Three Bridges-Bath & Bristol; 34067 Tangmere Sat 8 D

If the inclusion of a diesel on the rear is the "silver bullet" solution suggested above, why don't all the Operators use them ? SD don't for example, and I wouldn't say their tours are aimed at a market passionate about such things by any means !

I happen to agree with diesels being used on winter trains. It makes sense for all the reasons stated above. I just think Tour Promoters that use them as a matter of policy, should make it clear in their publicity, so all potential passengers, including those at whom such tours aren't aimed, apparently, can make an informed choice whether to travel or not.

If its such a great idea, why not make a selling point of it ?

 

Re: 'The Bath Christmas Market'; Three Bridges-Bath & Bristol; 34067 Tangmere Sat 8 D

Surely those who DON'T partake in steam tours currently are those we should listen to most, as it is their views that might hold the key to increasing passenger numbers ?

Just a thought !

 

Re: 'The Bath Christmas Market'; Three Bridges-Bath & Bristol; 34067 Tangmere Sat 8 D

Also VT don't, as shown today!

 

Re: 'The Bath Christmas Market'; Three Bridges-Bath & Bristol; 34067 Tangmere Sat 8 D

I think it is fairly clear that the 47 is powering up as the train accelerates after the slack over the Adur bridge here: 20121208103444 - YouTube

 

Re: 'The Bath Christmas Market'; Three Bridges-Bath & Bristol; 34067 Tangmere Sat 8 D

Who cares? As long as the people who paid their money are having a good time this debate by a few anti-diesel nuts is irrelevant.

 

Re: 'The Bath Christmas Market'; Three Bridges-Bath & Bristol; 34067 Tangmere Sat 8 D

Indeed, and lets hope they are.

I'm not anti-diesel by the way, just pro informed choice !