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RTC 2024

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by alastair, Sep 25, 2023.

Page 38 of 38
  1. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    I doubt if many of those parts originated on 34073, it was normal to exchange various parts on overhaul. Tangmere is running with an MN tender btw.
     
    Johnb, Dec 23, 2024
    #741
  2. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Perhaps all those doubting the ability of the Carnforth engineering team to get Tangmere sorted in time for last weekends run would now like to offer praise for the effort involved. :)
     
    RalphW, Dec 23, 2024
    #742
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  3. alastair

    alastair Well-Known Member

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    Praise indeed, how great it would be if the same team could get weaving on fitting CDL to a few of those pesky Mark 1 coaches mouldering away in the Carnforth sidings....
     
    alastair, Dec 23, 2024
    #743
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  4. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    It's all to do with priorities. They needed a loco quickly or they would be in breach of contract. They had a set of coaches so no issue there.
     
    Big Al, Dec 23, 2024
    #744
  5. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    So no praise from you then.
     
    Spamcan81, Dec 25, 2024
    #745
  6. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Well-Known Member

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    I mean I’m not quite sure how much praise is expected. What they’ve done is effectively carried out exactly what BR would have done, and used one loco to keep another going. However, that has almost condemned that 2nd loco to a life as a donor now, with an infinitesimal chance of steaming again.

    Where WCR do deserve praise is for running the vast majority of services that they planned to run in 2024, despite the huge challenges faced. Some will likely say they set themselves up for a tough year, but even so they’ve come through it. But then Mr Riley’s also deserve that praise too!
     
    2857Harry, Dec 25, 2024
    #746
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  7. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Did you just make that up for effect? How strange. Anyway a Merry Christmas to you as well.
     
    Big Al, Dec 25, 2024
    #747
  8. henrywinskill

    henrywinskill Well-Known Member

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    Mr Riley deserves all the praise without his engines WCR would have problems big time.
     
    henrywinskill, Dec 25, 2024
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  9. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    Agree Henry, 44871 has been all over the country knocking up a huge mileage with 100% reliability. The West Highland Line knocks an Engine to bits over a season but I did a few days of cleaning 45407 at the depot in Fort Bill at the end of the season and it still looked the business.
    On the flip side Bahamas has had no steaming fees from work out of Southall this year, let’s hope something is done about the Mk1s before the 2025 season
     
    Johnb, Dec 25, 2024
    #749
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  10. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Lets not forget that Ian has great team working for him whose engineering skills must be second to none.
     
    RalphW, Dec 25, 2024
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  11. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    If any Mk1s are fitted it will be for Jacobite services in 2025, not anything else. The decision to acquire the Riviera trains stock was a very telling business decision and for me effectively ended any chance of wholesale fitting of Mk 1 stock. Someone at West Coast looked at the cost and decided acquiring ready fitted stock was a more cost effective option - I can't say I blame them.
    My prediction is we will see a gradual disposal of Mk 1s from Carnforth in 2025, some are already on hire to heritage lines.
    For any non air fitted locos there remains only one option for mainline work now and that's Vintage Trains. For me there is a business decision to be made there for these loco owners. Another black 5 entered the Riley group in 2024, clearly a strong business case for more air fitted, go anywhere locos!
     
    acorb, Dec 25, 2024
    #751
  12. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    Option 2 would be fitting equipment to work air braked trains
     
    Johnb, Dec 25, 2024
    #752
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  13. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    All true. West Coast's survival can hardly be down to what they have done to keep the show on the road. Were it not for Ian Riley's air brake '5's it would have been in quite a mess and in the process could easily have brought the RTC programme to its knees.

    Meanwhile the likes of VT and LSL have been leading the way. Let's hope that 2025 brings about a bit of corporate common sense.
     
    Big Al, Dec 25, 2024
    #753
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  14. jonathonag

    jonathonag Well-Known Member

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    Option three would be to be included under the LSL safety case, but with use on the SRPS dual braked rake.
     
    jonathonag, Dec 25, 2024
    #754
  15. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

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    Good point, Carlisle is also a bit closer than Southall.
     
    acorb, Dec 25, 2024
    #755
  16. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    Does their safety case include the operation of vac braked trains. The other potential problem is how much work would they get with the expanding LSL fleet of locomotives.
     
    Johnb, Dec 25, 2024
    #756
  17. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Nope. Just an astute observation on your previous post.
     
    Spamcan81, Dec 25, 2024
    #757
  18. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    As I understand it the Vintage Trains set is now CDL fitted and the CDL in operation . Some recognition of VT quietly coming up with a design solution which is compliant to the ORR with minimum fuss and holding true to vacuum braked stock
     
    Sidmouth, Dec 25, 2024
    #758
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