Charter trains under threat

Same problem with steam. It is not the maximum speed that is the significant problem but the time and distance required to accelerate a heavy train to that maximum.

 

Today a DBS coal train has been blocking the up WCML for well over 2 hours near Warrington until very recently after the 66 up front threw a paddy, yet during this time it has been passed by no less than 4 light engines, why has it taken so long to be rescued in that case you ask ?, seemingly because the light engines were either from the wrong TOC or DBS didn't want to remove them from their allocated duty (I'm not making this up).

How the hell can the ORR have the cheek to question charter payments when this sort of farce can be allowed by regular operators purely because of inter TOC politics ?, if your unable the commandeer the nearest loco regardless of what it's up to and clear the mainline ASAP, then it's unfair to suggest charters cause big delays payments when your regular TOC's can do it perfectly well on their own.

 

Claasic case of an easy target being available to shift attention away from lunacy like that highlighted above, which the ORR prefer to ignore seemingly.

You'd have thought it would be written into all franchise agreements that Network Rail has the power to requisition a TOC loco where necessary, and at their discretion to clear disruption such as this, for the good of all, (not least passengers).

 

I don't know exactly how it works but generally the nearest available and suitable loco will be requested, which these days will usually be from a FOC rather a TOC. However it seems this train was rescued by a DRS 57/3, presumably one of the WCML thunderbirds.

Chris

 

I have seen a video on youtube of a 66 on an aggregate train pushing a failed FGW HST so it seems sometimes there can be co-operation on the network sometimes

 

Remember Leander on the S & C. Now that was the way to sort a failure out.

 

Couple of things; in this case, the FOC would have to pay the full costs of the delays caused and, secondly, as far as I'm aware, NR do have the power to commandeer the nearest available assistance (I recall having to leave a stone train at Purley to go and rescue a failed Virgin Voyager at Wivelsfield with a class 59 many years ago and - I doubt that things have changed much in the interim).

 

That's partly the problem with the delay minutes system, all the talk seems to be about how much the delay will cost rather than the length of the delay, nice to know as a passenger the TOC is more concerned about how much money they will be losing/gaining today than whether you'll be 2 hours late to a meeting, the emphasis should always be on clearing the line first and foremost no question asked rather than fingerpointing whos fault it is and who pays what.

The system is also open to manipulation by others too, if their train is a bit late and they see a major incident happened elsewhere earlier that day, that incident magically becomes the cause of the delay, unless the offending TOC has the resources to check out whether their claim is legit or not (you can be sure charter operators don't have the resources to do that), funny that...

 

But DRS, WCRC and DBS do have the time and resources and might have to up there game if this scaremongering is true. I however still believe it to be tosh, have been hearing the end of steam doom stories since 1985 that I can remember.

 

I can't see the point in starting another thread. But this seems to go with this thread. According to UKRail forum and Steam Railway mag. Network Rail is putting a ban on steam and diesel rail tours from going through Reading and Nottingham railway stations until summer 2014 because of the on going rebuilding work.


Steam and Diesel Charters through Reading - RailUK Forums

 

The Reading blockade has been known about for a while though Nottingham is a news to me (is there anyway to bypass the latter when heading to say Lincoln), anyway more to do with a lack of paths in a temporarily restricted space than an outright ban.

 

With regards the ORR proposal to end the £5K CAP on charter train operator liability in the event of a charter train incident resulting in delay minutes being caused, an e-petition has been set up to show support for the CAP being retained, which is to be submitted to the Dft. The link is below :-

The ORR Insurance Cap Regulation Change Proposal - e-petitions

 

Signed - although it may be a futile exercise. Will spread the word.

Mark

 

Yes, I doubt it'll influence the outcome either way, but pleased someone has set it up all the same.

 

Signed!
I trust all the operators and TOC s are hiring good lawyers to fight this latest ORR escapade. ORR are rapidly poking their nose in lots of corners BUT they can be defeated. They are deeply unpopular (freight charges!!) and do backdown. They hold very simplistic views on pricing.
I firmly believe a very senior NR person is behind this move but cannot prove it. Worried by PPM figs he is not keen on any charters as they unduly cause problems to the network . Most NP members are likely to disagree.........
instead of an open debate the ORR are using fiscal tools to adjust outcomes. In other words price off charters and make them less frequent.

many senior TOC people NR managers want unusual workings,steam and diesel.

I feel the outcome will be an increase in the cap ,maybe to 10/20k.

pressure to reduce risk may result in a diesel in the next section ready to help if not already on the back.

The present cap is difficult to justify. I hope the ORR can be defeated.
WCRC. DBS RTC. Steam dreams. Etc will,I feel certain,be determined. The recent LT 150 shows how much emotional support we have...............

Ray Mason

 

Signed it too.