Mainline Steam Operators

If the comment is not a reflection, then why write that tripe at all?

People will not have had a full career if they were incompetent, and will not have been accepted for the very different world that is WCRC if they did not display an aptitude to learn new skills, work in totally new ways, and thereby take the company and operating heritage forward?

 

Not tripe at all, in fact an observation that plenty of mainline railwaymen will make if they are being honest, and as I said, I am not specifically talking about WCR, who obviously filter/ use word of mouth, etc., in who they recruit. If you were looking for aptitude/ trainability you would definitely look across the whole spectrum.

For reasons explained above, that's not going to happen with WC anyway. However, the industry as a whole had moved on from its obsession with length of service, and I'd suggest is a better place for it.

Not bashing WCR either. Their wider business brings work into the rail industry that would otherwise be lost to it. A slightly "different" business model is obviously necessary in order for them to be able to do this.

 

Some interesting comments here, perhaps a few words to help things along.
EWS eased back training drivers & firemen a few years back due to the loss of work to Merlin then WCR.
Being that we are all full time staff made are crewing costs alot more expensive than the others who used mainly retired staff on a lot less pay. There are some other things that also contribute to DBS being more expensive but I do not know all of these to list. But I did say 'eased back', some training does get done. Not as much as when I went through the system in 1999, but a few more have been passed for driving in the last few years. Indeed there is a good chance that four new fireman are to trained in the South/West and some of the current fireman trained up to drive.
As far as vacuum brake is concerned, the reason DBS do not opperate vacuum braked trains is purely because the lack of Vacuum braked diesel loco's to haul stock around and to assist failed trains.
All DBS drivers need to be vacuum trained to drive the steam loco's, because by and large they are all vacuum braked with air braking fitted. Not air braked with vacuum facilites like most diesels. There are a few that operate in one mode or the other, but they are in the minority. 35028 Clan Line is a typical case, you would not be able to work an airbraked train without both systems working, air for the train, vacuum for the loco even though we would be using just the air brake handle in the cab.
As far as using drivers with less experiance of loco's and therfore maybe 'trashing them' bit wide of the mark here!
As I mentioned before we, on DBS, are all full time drivers. Its our day to day job, we are kept a close eye on by our managers. We get regulary 'down loaded' from black box data recorders to make sure we are doing our job right.
Steam is no different, if we do not drive the loco's as the owners wish, we get our collars felt! That is how it is as full time staff. Because the end result of not doing it right is 'down the road'. Then who is to pay the morgage or feed the kids?
It has happened, not that most people would notice it, in the not to distant past as well.
There are times when a loco needs to be 'pushed' a little, but they should never be thrashed.
I would hate myself if a loco in my charge was damaged due to an error on my part, and alot of my colleages feel the same.

 

Full marks, Wayne.

It has been my experience of recent trips with DBS that there are trainee firemen being brought on which bodes well for the future. The DBS boys have good route knowledge and are thoroughly familiar with the vacuum brake. That is the one advantage with the A1, it is air brake primary + air brake for the train with vacuum for preserved lines, perhaps more will go this way?

Foxy

 

Fantastic stuff. How do DBS go about their steam training in that case? Good point about the cost, very hard for a full time company to compete.

 

This thread has concentrated on English operations, does anyone know how the SRPS goes about it - I'm booked on their Forth Circle on Sunday?

Dave

 

No different to England. I think that all of SRPS' steam tours have been operated by WCRC, but they use a mix of WCRC and DBS for their diesel tours, so I don't think there's a specific reason why they have to use WCRC.

 

Do DBS have any steam crews in Scotland or steam crews with Scottish route knowledge?

 

Presumably they must have some crews able to work to Scotland, as Tornado has made it north of the border. Was the 'North Briton' tour of a few years ago DBS operated, as I recall it having one of their rainbow sets of stock? That made it all the way to Kyle.

 

Well done Wayne for presenting the DBS case.

The events of the "not too distant past" have resulted in a noticable positive culture shift at DBS. You have some very good younger steam men and have the advantage of a pool of drivers who could come up the steam links. WCR have a good policy with firemen and some very capable preserved railway men now fire for them, but they might have a problem replacing an aging pool of drivers over the next few years.

Maybe DBS could integrate the experience within support crews to help it bring on its next generation of firemen, especially now your ex BR steam men are approaching retirement?

 

When did 60163 make it to Kyle?

 

The "North Briton" in 2008 was indeed operated by DBS.

 

He was referring to the stock making it to Kyle, not 60163.

On the North Briton the loco crews all travelled with the tour, so it was the same drivers etc throughout.

Dave B

 

Interestingly the stock on the Mersey Moorlander this week seemed to be a mix of WCRC branded and SRPS maroon mark 1's?