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Unavailability of Main Line Steam Locomotives

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by Big Al, Aug 8, 2013.

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  1. guycarr360

    guycarr360 Part of the furniture

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    Would say they are doing that with long periods of running at NYMR, barring scheduled maintenance.
    Strangely their support crew may not be keen on an extended stay in London, they are mainly from the North....
     
    guycarr360, Aug 9, 2013
    #21
  2. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Were 60007 ever to be based down south for a while, it would of course have the same route availability issues as Bittern. That said, the main lines out of Wloo would be fine but not Kent.
     
    Big Al, Aug 9, 2013
    #22
  3. ADB968008

    ADB968008 Guest

    Seems like they want it all ends up...
    A promoter to have faith in the locos abilities, willing to run railtours in a less affluent area, closer to home.
    I guess the promoters have already spoken for 2013.
    This months RM suggests theirs some issues with DBS to be resolved too.

    Hope it all works out, I miss seeing 60007 on the mainline.
     
    ADB968008, Aug 10, 2013
    #23
  4. guycarr360

    guycarr360 Part of the furniture

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    It seems they are contracted to NYMR, as the loco is the star attraction, getting away mid season seems to be a problem.
    She only seems to be available start or end of season, start now seems to be taken up with maintenance, to improve reliability.

    Either she is being undercut price wise, or they are waiting for a prolonged period of reliability to book her.

    DBS issues are reported on members website, as paper ONLY, basically a whole heap was dumped on them very late in the day prior to a tour.
    That was after requests had been made for its availability, she is fully certified by WCRC, DBS should get there house in order...
     
    guycarr360, Aug 10, 2013
    #24
  5. greenslade

    greenslade Member

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    what a stupid comment ,probably from someone who does't get his hands dirty ,but who knows all from an armchair.
    nobody was more upset than the owners .
     
    greenslade, Aug 10, 2013
    #25
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  6. twr12

    twr12 Well-Known Member

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    At least Railtours in the South will gain some normality when Tangmere returns from its repairs at Carnforth.
     
    twr12, Aug 10, 2013
    #26
  7. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    In the south it seems that the absence of Tangmere is making life difficult for the standard summer trips such as the Dorset Coast Express and other RTC trips. Am I wrong in sensing that Carnforth seems reluctant to provide anything more than the minimum 'cover' of locomotives at Southall? Over dependence on a small fleet leaves virtually no flexibility that it appears is enjoyed up north with the many alternative combinations of motive power possible on Scarborough/Fellsman/North Wales etc etc. Perhaps the south is seen as an inconvenient outpost?
     
    Big Al, Aug 11, 2013
    #27
  8. Bean-counter

    Bean-counter Part of the furniture

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    Or perhaps why look for work that produces irregular income, hammers the locomotive with heavy trains and punishing schedules and involves very considerable volunteer commitment working many miles from homes and incurring extra costs when you have a contract that gives regular income on lighter trains that aren't a trial for 60007 even on the NYMR, where prep, FTRs etc, are covered by the hirer and a good number of the support crew can spend each might in their own beds!

    But I suppose you will just say I am biased........

    Steven
     
    Bean-counter, Aug 11, 2013
    #28
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  9. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    No, not biased. Sounds pragmatic to me. I guess it's just sad that a loco with, arguably the most prestige of all the working A4s (112 down Stoke and of course the name), spends its time on a heritage line. But at least it is doing something. The irony is that a few planned trips on the ML (rather than anything regular...and the load limit can be set by the owner) would be a train filler, I reckon.
     
    Big Al, Aug 11, 2013
    #29
  10. 61624

    61624 Part of the furniture

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    Arguably, though, far more people will be able to enjoy a ride behind it at an affordable price on the NYMR than would be the case if it was focused on min line working.

    Surely train loadings are dictated by financial viability on the main line?
     
    61624, Aug 11, 2013
    #30
  11. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Yes, that's true. But if the reason for the loco being used is strong enough, then you can set a price that reflects the load that the owner may dictate. For example what will 60007 be doing on May 23rd 2014 - 55 years after its epic run down Stoke?

    If that was all it did on the ML next year you would fill a train, I reckon. If more selective use was made of all the locomotives capable of main line work, there is an outside chance we would get a better reliability rate and less cancellations/substitutions for various loco availability reasons. UK Steam looks a bit like a battlefield this year, hence the reason for starting this discussion.
     
    Big Al, Aug 11, 2013
    #31
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