STEAM TOUR CANCELLATIONS‏ AND POSTPONEMENTS ETC.

Apologies I pulled them, long flight, went to bed, just got up, looked at it now.
reason as Ralph said.. Low value, provocative, aimed at attacking the poster not the content.

Forum rule B.

Remeber we support preservation, not attack it.

 

We are probably hearing the same conflicting rumours! Let's open a new thread for these tours...

 

the comment I made expressed concern for loco owners, and received a shouting down. I wont be concerned in the future but I think it had some relevence to the present situation. Yes it would have been appreciated if an explanation had been forthcoming.

 

Re. the ASLEF/DBS dispute: I gather that a ballot is being conducted at the moment among ASLEF members, overseen by the Electoral Reform Society, and the result is expected 7th Oct. Although my chums expect the latest offer to be accepted, I suppose we shouldn't make any assumptions until the result is declared. In the mean time, I guess that some DBS-operated tours may still be cancelled or postponed.

 

Will be interesting to see the plans Charter Operators make once their current ones are over and done with (no one's itineries stretch beyond March yet I believe ?)

 

my apologies, its deleted

 

Just a note to say that agreement has been reached between DB Schenker and ASLEF over the issues surrounding the suspension of rest day working.

 

They are indeed a very decent group of people with whom I have had the pleasure of their company (some of them at any rate) over the years.

The big fear now, however, is that this ASLEF dispute will ultimately rob them of the volume steam business that these guys cherish and it may be back to the VSOE and tours with Tornado only because Steam Dreams may decide that the risk is too great or the scars too deep to extend the contract with DBS.

Let's hope not.

 

I note that this Thursday's Canterbury run is still shown on 'Uksteam' as cancelled - is there a view on whether this working could be reinstated now that the dispute has been resolved, or have crews been allocated to other rosters?

 

Shown as postponed on Steam Dreams website.Also states elsewhere on their website "4/10/12 postponed due to DBS & ASLEF dispute. New date will be posted ASAP. Provisionally told dispute resolved today but too late for 4/10" posted on 28/9/12

 

Had an e-mail from Mr Farrow yesterday positive all UK Railtours trips in October are OK.

 

Received A letter from pathfinders today to say that the Shakespeare limited has been cancelled due to the A.S.L.E.F industrial action as a goodwill gesture they offer a 10% discount on a future tour .

 

It's probably gone past the cut-off point for pulling it, so better be safe than sorry. Should be OK in reality.

 

Such a shame as it was on the same day as the 5043 non-stop. Steam to Stratford-upon-Avon from the south has failed to run three out of three times this year!

 

A more concerning aspect of the industrial relations issue is I believe there may be some delay in Rail Head Treatment this year. Not nice for crews of regular trains to deal with.

 

I see the 'Industrial action' bit has been removed from the cancellation notice on UK Steam Info for the Pathfinder trip 13th.

 

From the Pathfinder website :

"Cancellation of Saturday 1st December 'The Festive Pompey Pacific' excursion.
02/11/2012 10:42

It is with regret that we must advise the cancellation of the 'Festive Pompey Pacific' excursion due to run on Saturday 1st December 2012. Unfortunately, we have not received enough bookings to run the excursion. This could be because the featured steam locomotive 'Braunton' will not now be ready (70000 'Britannia' would have substituted) or that Premier Dining was not being offered (due to train length restrictions at Portsmouth Harbour). There will be other reasons of course."

 

More likely people are staying clear of DBS operated charters until the issues are resolved - you have to feel for Pathfinder.