LE Movements, ECS and Test Runs 2014.

cheers Ralph, been deleted from RTC website now

Neil

 

Wonder why the Jacobite aint cancelled as its full of trees, and more prone to fires, always wondered why Riley is always on it

 

The Jacobite is a good test of enginemanship and provides the sort of challenge which Ian enjoys; that plus the fresh Highland air makes a change from the industrial grime of the northern industrial centres (the local brews are reportedly quite good north of the border too ! )

 

Maybe but he seems to e always on it, and thought Scotland would face steam bans too like us.

 

In my view, the wcrc should alternate the locos, to allow loco operators chance to share the money, as its obvious that they lose money due to cancellation ect

 

It is probably better to have a dedicated pool of 3 locos up there for the whole season rather than alternating; such a plan would involve regular moves of steam locos to and from Fort William, which from Carnforth takes around 12 hours for the 300 miles or so including water stops, pathing stops etc.

 

Ok but use other locos too up there, to give owners a chance to recoupe some money, yes Riley engines are well maintained, but it seems favouritism to not have say the same every year up there, when you could have Uosa,a jubilee or scot,and black 5, then 3 more the year after, this allows a rotation too, and allows people to ride on a different engine around the country.

 

In addtion to Big Al's comments the other issue is having a loco owner/ owning group which has a large enough pool of people for the support crew, who are prepared to live a way from home for a week at a time.

 

I can confirm the truth in this statement!

 

Do you know the line, , the only engines that can handle it are the K1 K4 Black 5s and 8f Forget A4s etc

 

B1 too of current registered locos. In the past 75014 and 76079 have been used. Also 5972 rarely. 42968 was a also under consideration at one point according to the SMF.
However this is way off thread now.

 

Further off topic, but still on Jacobite lines;

You are nowhere near proper engineering facilities when based in Fort William, so if an engine fails, it's a big rally to get the work done to bring back in to service. Riley owns his own maintenance team, with large facilities down at Bury but with a squad of workers who he can instantly turn his attention to any repairs on 45407/44871 and the transport of replacement materials between the two bases. Any other organisations may not be so prepared for such acitivies and remedies in the 'back of beyond', and I imagine NELPG have adjusted their workings as support,maintenance crews and materials in accordance to meet these requirements. A daily service, more intensive in summer, has to be provided. How many support crews would be able to drop everything on the word of their engine's failure, organise a repair 300 miles away and bring back in to service within a few days?

 

Well said Jonny

 

So if you run a shop that does well in a particular area you feel that as the successful operator you should allow your store to be used by other traders who thereby gain a share of the trade that YOU have built up ? To be blunt - WCRC took up the Jacobite when nobody - including BR - wanted to continue running the service and made it the success it is today. After making a success of something that NOBODY wanted why should WCRC share the benefits with anyone ?

The second problem is that the Jacobite operates under the WCRC Safety Case and "other operators" need to adhere to WCRC disciplines and standards; how many "other operators" currently meet them and how many are prepared to adopt them if required ? There is already a famous locomotive which has failed this test and has seen reduced main-line work so it is not simply a rhetorical question.

In the wider context of main line running all loco owners need to make their own arrangements for the operation of their locomotive(s) whether on main or heritage lines and if they suffer financial hardships because of the contracts they enter into why should they expect to be "assisted" by other owners giving up their contracted work.

 

Can we get back to light engine runs & test movements PUR LEASE......................................

Ralph, please do the honours & shove the Jockobite stuff into the relevant thread - Ta!

BACK on topic (ish...) still no word on the Chesham set moving, that'll be something worth seeing!