Cotswold Explorer 3/10

Hope the train isn't parked up at Oxford North Jn. Arrived on time but next timing point at Wolvercot Jn not showing onRTT.

 

Thank you for that.

Re gauging. Misinformation here to start with again, seized on by at least one other and we get NR being accused. Wrongly. One day methinks someone here will be getting a letter from their legal department.

 

Unfortunate that the Hall wasn't up front, but it would have been crawling past here due to the walking pace restriction on Halls northbound through the platform at Culham (haven't heard its been lifted recently)

 

Steady on. The original comment was reported to have come from the driver on the train wasn't it? He should have been a reliable source.

 

I don't know that for sure: "a friend who was told by the driver" is not really first hand confirmation. But I am concerned that the steady stream of attacks here on NR, some of which may and some of which may not be justified will see a reaction that will cause the entire Forum future problems.

 

You know 2015 is a bad year for mainline steam, when Tyseley's two main locos pack up in the space of two weeks ! Roll on next year !

 

s.1 of the Defamation Act 2013 sets quite a high barrier for a successful claim by a corporate, but I agree with your sentiment.

 

It also proves that things happen in the best regulated spheres of operation hence why WCRC should also be given credit for its successes and not grief for its occasional failures - especially given the number of trips that it operates

 

Highly unlikely, no-one at NR can fit a letter in an envelope!

 

There is no comment or report on here that mentions the driver of the train. The Man has issued a correct report of the situation but he was not driving the train today.

 

And they wouldn't be able to serve it until the evening before the court case!

 

Little point me continuing to at least try and give NR the right to more balanced and accurate reporting here. Based on actual facts where balanced critical comments can address known and certain shortfalls and not just rumours and inaccuracies.

Yes, I agree an actual defamation case is maybe unlikely. But I wonder how much of what is written here just adds to them having to deal with 19th Century technology running on a 21st Century railway and gives them even just one more nail to bang in to it's coffin.

 

There's nothing preventing NR posting on the Forum is there? Would be good PR if they did. Taxpayers money funds them directly so they should be more open. I'd love to hear their explanations for their persistent failures to maintain the gauging 'as was' and why they cannot provide timings in a reasonable time before charters run, even when the required 12 weeks notice has been given.

 

Couldnt agree more. Certainly up to a 2 or 3 years ago they were much more open about steam charters. I recall a 2 part interview in Steam Railway with their director of special trains,Rachel Gilliat(wonder what happened to her?). Very hard to see anything like that happening now.

As you say,just not good enough from an outfit receiving eye-watering subsidies from the UK taxpayer.

 

We don't really have a lot to add to the above.

We are all pretty upset to have had issues with two of our locos in the space of 2 weeks. The issue with 4965 was discovered at approx. 20:30 Friday night. The loco was too hot to attempt repairs; it was too late in the evening to attempt to contact the passengers and cancel the train so running with the 47 was the best option available.

Bob & I did speak to the passengers at Tyseley prior to boarding the train. Anyone that did not wish to travel was given that option. Only 8 out of 240 decided not to travel. We will be writing to all the passengers on Monday/Tuesday.

 

Thanks for the background Ben. Better luck next time.

 

To be honest, I don't think NR care a toss what is said about them on here. They have much more important things to worry about just now. Forums like this are about the comments from "Joe Public", railway enthusiasts, former and existing railwaymen. If you want to see controversial posts and damming condemnation of Network Rail then are plenty of Rail Forums around. I could name one in particular which has postings about the mess the national network is in with, for example, massive delays to sleeper trains, poor conduct by platform staff, suicides, derailments etc etc. Every day, a further nail is hammered into the NR coffin by posts which make ours on here look like Alice in Wonderland.