The Royal Duchy 2016

I think it is totally out of order running these trains on Sunday without consulting me first, The Torbay and the Mighty Duchess to Cornwall on my wife's 60 th birthday so I can't go is just not fair!!

 

There is the acknowledgement here that often ambition exceeds capability where planning is concerned. If this translated into routine honesty more "armchairs" would remain or become "customers".

(Post edited by Moderation team)

 

James, I'm sure that 90% of NP understand what goes on behind the scenes to keep steam running. The problem is only 1% of that 90% will tell you that. The armchairs, the 10%, will probably all moan because that's what they do but it gives a false impression and must be a bit soul destroying for those at the sharp end

 

I trainspotted at Newton Abbot in 1960 and there were railway tracks all over the place. Lots of platforms, up and down bypass lines for the non-stop trains, semaphore signals, plenty of steam with the odd D6XX, D8XX and D63XX. It was heaven. To see Newton Abbot now, it is of course a shadow of its former self as with many other big stations. I have to admit that if someone said to me in 1960 that steam trains, what is more 2 of them, would pass through Newton Abbott in 2016, I would suggest a visit to a mental institute would be advised.

 

Why can't you go? What is more important. You can postpone your anniversary for a day or so, what you cannot postpone is the magic of a Duchess in the West Country. Now come on. What is more important. You know you can! That said, I have been divorced twice so what do I know about relationships!! Ha ha!

 

I wish, got a family surprise on Sunday night with a West End show afterwards, what you suggest is tempting but I think it could well lead to my first divorce!

 

This is in the wrong thread really because the Duchess story is a triumph but the background info from @TheMan profoundly illustrates the difficulties at play.
Nobody is under any illusion that trying to operate steam charters is straightforward or easy. However, without a "business model" JS insists is missing it runs the risk of "playing trains" with customers along for the ride subsidising the hobby and being collateral damage when things fail to happen as hoped.
JS has worked in the industry for 20+ years so it is disconcerting to see it implied there is no strategic foundation or structure to steam charters but it perhaps explains why some of the negative outcomes occur. Striving to meet customer expectations which are perceived to be ever more sophisticated has huge risks if under resourced as JS implies. Might it be wiser to try less and provide more as well as being open about the issues that could affect a charter folk might be booking on in good faith?

 

Can someone explain why 46233 is only working the Duchy from/to Taunton?
If its due to gauging issues, why is she able to run between Bristol and Taunton on the ECS move?

 

I dont think JS was saying there is a problem with resources I think he was implying that the resources they have just work very hard. For various reasons but mainly because of the shortage of motive power 2016 has not been a good year for steam. In an ideal world the Torbay, for instance would have two locos at Bristol to cover failures but that's just not possible, by next year there will be a number of old favourites back and one or two new ones so it looks as if we have hit the low point.

 

At the risk of splitting hairs or taking an unintended inference, JS and your interpretation both imply that there are too few folk to accomplish the arrangements in the normal time available. Hence the "above and beyond" remarks?
Such a situation is hardly surprising and greater consideration of managing customer expectations accordingly should be applied. The circumstances described are virtually annual occurences with the routine refrain "next year will be better" so it would be wiser to conduct business in a more realistic fashion that is fair to all parties, not least the paying passengers.

 

It is not due to gauging issues, but the lack of suitable stabling points in the Bristol area, as Barton Hill is not currently available for steam. Apparently there is room for only one loco at St Philips Marsh, currently used by the Torbay Express loco. So the loco for WCRC trains is stabling at the WSR instead. The situation may change in due course.

 

As I made clear the Duchess on the Duchy is a triumph.
The other points should be in a separate thread to discuss the context steam charters are planned and operated. If it is routinely required that staff from various organisations have to perform miracles for stuff to happen that is not a reliable basis upon which to conduct business, is it?
As the bard said
"When the sea was calm, all ships alike showed mastership in floating".

 

Thanks - why is Barton Hill no longer available?

 

Reserved paths on preselected routes with long lead times.
Mark Carne's assessment of the recent debacle in Scotland is commended because it identifies several root cause factors most of which he takes responsibility for. There were other problems in the mix outside NR too though. The commonality though is unrealistic expectations from the resources available. Steam charters will never be a priority for NR so that has to be worked around, however sympathetic certain of its employees may be in smoothing things on may occasions. Being realistic is the key to sustained success regardless of how much fantasies appeal.

 

Having extra staff sitting around with nothing to do for much of the time is also not a good way to run a business, WCRC do a lot of other things apart from steam charters. I think your guns are aimed in the wrong direction, it says a lot about NR and the pathetic remains of our national rail network when they can't find somewhere to stable two steam locos in a city the size of Bristol.