The Border Raider with 60163 - 16/09/17

Rumour says Shap both ways due to bus replacement between Clitheroe and Blackburn. I sincerely hope this is BS !

 

Taken from Northern website.

Planned engineering work will take place between Manchester Victoria and Clitheroe from 05:55, Saturday 16 September 2017 to 00:51, Monday 18 September 2017, and from 05:55, Saturday 23 September 2017 to 00:51, Monday 25 September 2017.

Additional Information:
Buses replace trains between Blackburn and Clitheroe

Last Updated:24/08/2017 10:46

So this has been in the system since the 24/8 !

 

NR Enquiries showing bus replacement . . not what we want. So it looks like Shap or nothing, presumably NR had the work planned for months - pity they didn't start the timing (assuming they have started) at the same time when more options may have been available.

 

As said, giving NR notice well in advance means nothing, as it seems any proposal just gets sat upon until there's a mad panic two weeks before the off. Also highlights a worrying tendency of the right arm not knowing what the left is doing. Either way, it's a farce in the making.

 

What a sad state of affairs when potentially the customer knows more about operational changes than the TOC !

 

It would appear that the DBC - NR relationship is not that good, even taking note of the late timings the fact that part of the requested route is apparently closed and that doesn't appear to have been advised to DBC and by extension the tour operator is just plain peculiar?

Don't DB operate the Clitheroe cement trains though so should they not have known about the closure anyway?

 

Just spoke to UKRT, they told me that DBC are contesting the block as they wasn't notified with ample time ! Can't see much changing tbh.

 

I was thinking more the internal relationship between the engineering and special trains functions within NR. If memory serves, the latter has been amalgamated with freight, so DBC would surely still rely upon that function for information about blockades. As implied above, this sounds like a recent decision that has gone unnoticed until it is too late.

 

Would expect their planning system to have a permanent 'open field' link into the Planned Engineering Database to trigger an automatic response if there's an issue like a blockade on part of a route entered into the system. Not rocket science.

 

It would be sensible, but then again, if the proposals are not reviewed periodically or acted upon until a late stage, then all the failsafes in the world wouldn't be of any use. I guess we'll find out what the solution is soon.

 

Well it could always do the Cumbrian Coast but that is unlikely

 

Without in any way excusing the inexcusable, it seems as though September is a month for one-offs. I count seven in the two weeks from 11th to 24th Sept. I could believe that has created a pinch point at MK. In many ways what they have to deal with right now is more demanding than the summer season of repeat trains. Factoring in pathing at Carlisle and having a dialogue with Engineering re blockade at Clitheroe (of which there have been several this summer) should not be rocket science but maybe the system has gone into overload mode.

PS Can't imagine Tornado will gauge around the coast

 

Who'd really want to crawl around the coast this time of year anyway?

 

Thought 60163 has been round the coast, albeit a while back. I think back from whence it came is the more likely option.

Whilst disappointing, speaking purely for myself, I'd prefer that the best is made of a bad job, as its getting too late for a hotel refund...

 

Back over Shap got to be the best option surely for both time and performance??

 

I second that.

 

This on UKRT:

Station Depart
Tame Bridge Parkway 07.05 CONFIRMED
Birmingham New Street 07.40 CONFIRMED
Wolverhampton 08.05 CONFIRMED
Stafford 08.35 CONFIRMED
Crewe 09.10 CONFIRMED
Carlisle Arr 1240

 

So we're going . . . But are we coming back?

 

I'm sure all will be revealed in due(????) course. The suspense of it all... Just got confirmation Email to back up website.

 

Incidentally, Saturday's Avanmouth - Clitheroe cements is pathed WCML to Carlisle, south down the S&C and then Hellifield - Clitheroe. Seems a long way around given that it could have been diverted via Carnforth and Settle Junction.