Black fives to Winchester Monday 9th December

DJW that's a nice clip, and FWIW you should be able to see yourself in my video

 

I'm afraid I did not make a cameo appearance in your video, as I didn't charge across the bridge for a going away shot like the other photographers. The 5s were accelerating away very nicely by the time they reached you.

 

This comment from WRGEN........re the usual WCRC "silent running".

Many of the assembled gallery of photographers, video guys, and spectators (including children) were rather disappointed that they were ignored by the loco crews in terms of a bit of whistle blowing as the 2 Black Fives passed, particularly as there were also some track workers present at the junction as well.

The same thing happened with 44871 when it was on the ECS to Weymouth for a recent special.

Bit of a poor show, lads, as even the Freightliner 70 acknowledged the crowd.

John Clark

 

May be the crews had more pressing things to do like checking the water levels, putting coal in the fire and getting the train on its way! Shakes head!

 

You don't seem to realise that these trains are run for the benefit of those who stand by the lineside

 

This is something that's often remarked on. It's not that many WCRC crews don't whistle at on-lookers - that would be nice, but as 8A says, they've usually got better things to do. Rather, they often don't whistle for crossings or when about to move the locos during shunting. I noticed again last week around Petersfield that the EMUs were all tooting at nearby footpath crossings, but the Black Fives' crews didn't. Maybe they think there's no need, given the exhaust noise of the locos?

Give a WCRC crew a chime whistle, though, and they'll play tunes on it at every opportunity, as they did with Ollie on the Welsh Marches two weeks ago. Maybe it's the LMS "hooter" that puts them off? ;-)

 

No Simon these trains are run for bums on seats, PASSENGERS without the paying public there would be no steam trains to go out to see or photograph

 

I think you have missed the smiley at the end of my post........

 

And again an important qualification is being overlooked. Some of the linesiders will at other times be passengers. The dramatic spectacle of a steam locomotive whistling through a station or past a bridge might well encourage a steam railtour virgin to try one.

 

In front of CHILDREN too!

Disgraceful behaviour. Everything has to be done for our children these days. They must never, ever be exposed to any disappointment in their lives. I suspect there will now be social workers in the front coach of every WCML train, or even on the footplate to make sure the whistle is used . And they will have to be at every major lineside location now to counsel the poor little things if it every happens to them again.

Write in for a full refund of your ticket price John. That'll show them.

 

Totally agree with everything Kent Yeti has said, crews may have other more important things to deal with on the footplate other than whistling at every Tom Dick and Harry.

 

Back to basics, the whistle is a warning device, a safety feature, so playing to an audience is not a requirement. Should be used to warn track workers or other personnel near the track, starting a movement if appropriate, at level/foot crossings and stations, and where a trackside sign requires such use. In short where mandatory, or sensible in view of a possible close encounter with humans, and other forms of life I suppose....

46118

 

Track workers working at the junction don't count then!

 

The track workers were on the opposite side of the four track 3rd rail line (over 40ft) and next to the building, which is more than 6 feet from the line, so therefore not presenting themselves to be in possible danger and clearly the driver(s) thought that too. I will add on the pretext that the FL 70 was apparently acknowledging the crowd, then that too did not acknowledge the track workers either from what I can see and hear from the video. Again please remember the trains are not run for the benefit of linesiders regardless of age etc.

 

Why are heritage mainline trains run?

 

Just because you didn't hear it does not mean it wasn't sounded elsewhere! The American whistle was sounded at Basingstoke. Came as a surprise as I didn't know it had been fitted to 44871.

 

Good old Nat Pres.

A row developing now about line siders and their rights to hear steam loco whistles from main line steam specials. Or not!

I really am sure we will one day be arguing about the correct colour of p..

It's been a slow day today so far. But I sense it is going to get better as it goes on.

 

See message 27 in this thread! Simples!

 

Passengers, agreed!

And it might help to maximise the number of people wishing to travel on heritage mainline trains by appealing to a sense of romanticism and nostalgia by whistling when passing a number of spectators.

 

As promised way back on Monday, here is my shot of the tour just outside Egham:



http://www.flickr.com/photos/69575101@N06/11356236354/