RTC 2014

As one who travels with the RTC and enjoys the adventure of some of their tours, I too am pleased when there is a response to some of the issues raised by NP members.

Two aspects continue to puzzle me. First, the RTC has not improved the accuracy of its publicity both on line and in their printed programme despite the inadequacies having been pointed out many times. Second, when there is a response from Nigel Dobbing, it is almost invariably grudging and with a sense of irritation that a problem has been pointed out. Neither helps his business.

 

Clan Line out of gauge around Yeovil, its home territory? Yet another NR madness as per No 9 at Carlisle

Don

 

I feel that the publicity IS better than a few years ago given deadlines with more updates online and letters sent to tour participants but I am sure it can be improved!
Some of us find posting difficult and don't carry laptops. As a result a post is made on a mob phone taking ages(with a v old Nokia !)and late at night in a far off land several time zones away.
I defend RTC because-Nigel is a friend
-I still want a lot of track which NO other operator is likely to do with steam (Canon St!)
-without RTC the mainline would be v dull
-provides a lot of employment in areas with high unemployment ESP indirectly
-many of the trips are massively ambitious such as GB 7 but also the 4 Ukraine trips with 2 huge P36 to CRIMEA.
These were the ONLY steam tours to Sevestopal and Simferopol EVER..........Most other tours to Ukraine were v tame by comparison.Rackov,yes,but not hundreds and hundreds of steam kms. Same in Syria,Eritrea,Africa to MOZAMBIQUE(v v v v rare)and a planned crossing of Sweden! The last 2 Tasmania mainline trips and the first overseas group over the complete length of the Wilderness Railway with a dubbs rack loco(not poss at present). many parts of the overseas program have produced rare and "impossible"itineries......and ,yes,changes do have to be made at short notice but frequently a rabbit is pulled out of the hat that delights participants and locals alike!

Nigel is a long way from home and gets v upset at some anti RTC posts even if the poster intends to be constructive

I built my business up from scratch and LOATH criticism of staff,pricing policy,anything and can be v prickly. It can be like your own children or grandchildren. They may have faults but not always welcome them being pointed out especially by highly intelligent enthusiasts who can often work out the likely scenario .......

I am most concerned ND will stop or reduce the hardcore element of RTC as financially it is not important to RTC and one offs are at best marginal and at worst loss makers when ALL the costs are put in.

Gb7 46233 may playa greater role. Bris northwards.But Chester is no longer allowed so via Crewe instead. If the Brit is unavailable in the far West another loco is needed. St Blazey turntable may no longer turn..........yes,all good fun. Oh,and the coal!!!!!!!!!

I enjoy our hobby.lets keep it friendly and be gentle in criticism . In the season of Lent we should perhaps be reflecting and slow to anger

Now.....there's a thought

Ray Mason in a wet,train less Dawlish!

 

Ps lynemouth may still be possible if a coal train that is timetabled doesn't run on Sat as I believe local arrangements might be possible!
Sadly ,I cannot be on this tour next sat which is like an epic LCGB tour of the 1960s
The reference to the Duchess is due to problems with the Brit and a plan B being prepared. Refusing Chester for a duchess!
What next? No WC/MN at Waterloo......

 

Thanks Ray. I'm sure many of us on here really appreciate the time and effort you put into responding to some of the issues raised on this forum. Speaking for myself, I generally try to be sympathetic to the fact that the charter business on railways is a complex business. Trips like Saturday's foray to Whitby are testament to the patience of the organiser in proposing a plan that is subsequently completely at the mercy of third parties. However, when they work, they can work very well, and are a credit to all involved. I'm now looking forward to this Saturday's shindig, and getting to Lynemouth would be a pleasant surprise and the icing on an already epic cake. Keep up the good work, RTC!

 

46233 isn't the only ex-LMS loco NR won't allow through Chester, 46115 & 48151 are banned too. These gauging issues certainly seem to be becoming a recurring problem at the moment...

 

A little something RTC might like to use on their website....................................

A Peaky Blinder......................

Black & White....

 

The specific 'prohibit' relates to an overbridge at Mickle Trafford, not Chester itself. Work had been due to be undertaken, under a specific Network Rail enhancement scheme, last autumn, but the booked posession was subsequently cancelled, so it has fallen back down the queue.

It is very easy to be critical of NR's gauging process (and there is also much that can be said about the system by which the network is maintained to prescribed tolerances) but it is now, like many industries, based heavily on computer modelling and comparisons with data gathered by the gauging measurement trains; the gauging engineers have to assess the safe clearances identified, as, effectively, the shape is passed through the holes, by this program.

It should also be borne in mind that vehicles not otherwise contained within the Sectional Appendix - and steam locos are not in the SA, along with, in certain routes, several types of heritage diesels - are treated as 'out-of-gauge loads', especially where data is not readily available for their 'dynamic' behaviour, ie. when in motion. Additional safety allowances are therefore made, which result in 'prohibits' being issued, even though practical knowledge may suggest otherwise.

Be assured that it is in no one's interests to issue such 'prohibits' arbitrarily (other than for safety) and steam loco owners, operators and Network Rail are well aware of the problems it causes and working solve them. An awful lot of work has gone on recently, which should improve matters but it is a very frustrating and slow process, involves a very small but dedicated cross-industry team.

JS

 

I think the part about "bashing away at a keyboard and posting without a second look at what they have put" also relates to the person or persons who maintain the RTC website. Which is precisely which causes many of these complaints.

 

I notice that the 'Valleys Explorer' has been brought forward to Sunday 20 July. It actually helps me out quite a bit as I didn't relish the fact that I was going to drive to Bristol from Crewe that morning after a 14-16 hour trip up to Scotland the day before.

 

Helps me and I guess several others out as well Also there are changes to "The Tin Bath" According to the RTC website this tour is now be hauled by 44932 + 48151 double -headed, the steam section is now extended from Manchester to Crewe on the return, the train returning to Wigan diesel hauled via the WCML but then seemingly to Blackburn rather than Preston. It is extremely commendable of RTC to notify these changes so far in advance. Thank you.

 

Saw in Steam Railway yesterday about the proposed Seaford tour in June. It sounds an interesting trip with 70013 but its due to go down the Newhaven Marine branch. If I remember correctly when 70000 was in charge of a Cathedrals Express from Lewes in 2011 it was due to be stabled there but was out of gauge.

 

It ran t & t with a Duff ecs on the day, reversing at Hampden Park and running ecs from there to Lewes.

See pic

Don

 

That's how it ran on the day but I'm sure it was due to run to Newhaven the day before to stable the stock but gauging prevented it from happening so it was changed to go to Hampden Park.

 

yes correct so unless anything has changed it won't get to Newhaven if hauled by a Brit. Steam has been to Newhaven though 45231 from memory around 2005

Don

 

Your memory is correct, Don. It was 13th July 2005. The picture you will see above my name was taken later that very day at St. Leonard's Warrior Square.