Cumbrian Coast Express 14th March 2015

HaHa, like it ! Although it will be a good comparison with Galatea on the 2014 WCME's, cold engine from Carnforth and all that !

 

Seen a message from RTC saying it hasn't had finalised times from network rail and may only be 5 days before the trip before received. Tickets will follow. No further loco info either.
My pals are a bit dismayed to say the least at the lack of info given how far in advance bookings were taken and how close the day is. A potential hour and a half on the end if the day will be significant to many people whether for onward travel or domestic arrangements.

 

We're booked on this train and I can't think of any reason for delays in the timings as the itinerary is the same as last year, as are the WCMEs. What do they know that we don't? Are we going to be stuck with a 60mph loco perhaps???

 

Enthusiasts struggle to comprehend such things so imagine how ordinary customers must feel when seeking an answer to a simple question like "what time is the train expected to arrive back in Preston?" Whatever happened to putting the customer first?
I don't know the answer, if NR is being slow to give the paths. RTT seems to have had times for a while but maybe something else has happened in the meantime meaning a revision is necessary. If that were the case though the tickests would have been released sooner followed by a late amendment, surely? Makes one wonder how many non-enthusiast repeat customers RTC get if this is a relatively common issue. If the trip is good maybe all the pre event hassle is forgotten.
Regarding 60mph loco, dont forget the 8F took the second one last year and thats 50mph limited .........
The absence of any "positive sightings" from 10A of 46115 aren't encouraging in that direction so maybe if 45690 proves itself tomorrow it will be given the job, possibly with a diesel assisting at the rear?

 

Bit different with VT isn't it? It's all about starts and most pickups close to Birmingham not the whole country like RTC and SD.

 

where the indicated times vary wildly from the ulimate timings is where the major problems lie. RTC always publishes indicative times which is important to allow potential customers to work out the feasibility of them buying tickets. Arguably RTC would be better advised to publish nothing than to offer times that are in effect nothing more than a wish.
Isn't it the TOC that does the arranging with NR? It must make running such a business very difficult if the service level agreement with NR leaves it open for such late advisement of timings. For one thing it must affect the crews and their hours so the TOC needs to know how many to roster etc; also water and coal arrangements are critical.
Its all a bit unsatisfactory, with the customer probably the longest in the dark but who's stake has underwritten the trip in the first place. Just hope it works our for the best on the day but its not a very optimistic message to offer my pals. The restaurant table reservation in Preston has already gone by the wayside so there is another business victim of the uncertainty.

 

E-tickets arrived. Two diesels Euston to Carnforth then 46115 "confirmed" to Carlisle outward via Shap, back via the coast. Times as per the RTT ones published several weeks ago so 10.20/19.49 Preston.

 

The issues were the same as the WCMEs - can't stop at Watford Junction on the outward journey with the 2 Class 47s.

 

The Scot shall be ready?

 

Well it was fine 4 months ago .........

 

The train's on it's way from London (a few mins late into Crewe). Any sign of which loco is going to appear from Carnforth this morning?

 

46115 just shackling up at Carnforth.

 

Les Ross sitting outside at Willesden this week. Work done?

 

That's good news. There were rumours last weekend that firebox corrosion had been found over the winter that either wouldn't be repaired in time, or wouldn't be repaired at all, causing early withdrawl, depending on the gloominess of the informant. Let's hope she has a good run today.

 

23mph at Shap summit.