The Pendle Dalesman March 25

Thanks for the clarification, when you say you have mates that know more than I do about Carnforth, that is exactly the reason I have to take what you, and other 'well informed' people on here as gospel ! As regards the 'relationship' between RTC and Carnforth, I may be mistakenly thinking of the Compass thing, if in fact this's is not the case I apologise.

 

Reading all this illustrates how the mainline scene is taken by many for granted. As someone who was inspired to become involved in loco restoration by trips to steamtown in the 70's and 80's I remember all too well the stored hulk of 5699 and the general consensus by the great and good that it was beyond repair. Here we are all these years later and its back in working order and registered for mainline use. We should appreciate this has happened and doff our cap to those who have facilitated it. Regardless of the livery and politics its a runner and we should be pleased it is.

 

Clearly the enormous financial investment and determination by the present owner cannot be anything other than respected.
Setting that aside though my impression is that Mr Smith doesn't give a damn whether he is respected or not for his personal investment. We may be grateful, and its their prerogative, but the petty subterfuge around 10A is needless. After all the ultimate reason for getting it running seems to have been so that people would take an interest and enjoy it in action, preferably paying for the privilege. So its hardly surprising there is a modest clamour for info. When it doesn't emanate speculation and criticism are inevitable. I doubt mr smith loses a wink of sleep though. Being open is not a part of the business model it seems but as its quite successful where is the incentive to change?