If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

Vintage Trains: Mayflower to Plymouth - 27/09/24

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by nanstallon, Jun 27, 2024.

Page 6 of 6
  1. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2005
    Messages:
    10,146
    Likes Received:
    9,775
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Alderan !
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    presumably one of two things . following coming to a stop close to the summit of Hemerdon after the trees knocked the butterflies causing the brakes to bind on the trip with 7029

    or Andy Taylor from WC I think I saw drove on one of the legs
     
    Sidmouth, Oct 2, 2024
    #101
  2. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    22,582
    Likes Received:
    22,715
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    @MellishR - I suggest you go back to #90 and the photograph in #97 to help you understand the post.

    My guess is that nobody from Vintage signs the route and Andy Taylor from West Coast does and it helps to have someone on the leading loco who knows the road...
     
    Big Al, Oct 2, 2024
    #102
  3. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2007
    Messages:
    2,949
    Likes Received:
    4,377
    Location:
    Powys
    Correct, Andy Taylor drove Bristol - Plymouth - Bristol back in May too. Since Ray Churchill retired, VT don't have anyone with that route knowledge. I believe he is a regular driver on the Royal Duchy trips too.
     
    acorb, Oct 2, 2024
    #103
  4. hyboy

    hyboy New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2012
    Messages:
    133
    Likes Received:
    134
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Bristol
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Before leaving the train at Temple Meads.
     

    Attached Files:

    hyboy, Oct 2, 2024
    #104
    26D_M likes this.
  5. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2009
    Messages:
    8,911
    Likes Received:
    5,847
    The last I knew was some years ago when WC said they could no longer operate trains for VT, who thus had to set up their own ToC. Was The Mayflower a joint operation, or were VT now just employing someone who also works for WC?
     
    MellishR, Oct 3, 2024
    #105
  6. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2007
    Messages:
    2,949
    Likes Received:
    4,377
    Location:
    Powys
    Vintage Trains continue to operate the trains, they purely hired in Andy Taylor to drive these sections. Reading between the lines I think the impending retirement of Ray Churchill caused a number of issues a few years ago as his route knowledge was immense and he pretty much handled all of VT's work. Becoming their own TOC was a way of safeguarding operations and in Martin Fake & Alistair Meanley they are now developing the next generation. Don't forget Ray came out of retirement to help train up both and get the operation started.
    I don't believe there is any ill feeling between the 2 TOCs, note the basing of the castles at Carnforth for recent northern operations and now the hiring of Andy Taylor for excursions to Plymouth. I am sure further co operation will happen if needed.
     
    acorb, Oct 3, 2024
    #106
    banana patch likes this.
  7. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2015
    Messages:
    7,914
    Likes Received:
    6,646
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Swanage
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    That was a WCRC resource issue rather than any falling out I understood.
     
    Gladiator 5076, Oct 3, 2024
    #107
    Paul42 and 5944 like this.
  8. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2007
    Messages:
    2,949
    Likes Received:
    4,377
    Location:
    Powys
    Yes, caused by the retirement of Ray Churchill.
     
    acorb, Oct 3, 2024
    #108
  9. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    May 12, 2006
    Messages:
    19,232
    Likes Received:
    17,566
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Cumbria
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Did I notice up thread that Alastair Meanley drove Clun back from Plymouth, I assume conducted by Andy Taylor who was also on Clun for that leg, possibly part of a route learning process?
     
    GWR4707, Oct 3, 2024
    #109
  10. acorb

    acorb Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2007
    Messages:
    2,949
    Likes Received:
    4,377
    Location:
    Powys
    Alistair also drove Bristol to Paddington with a conductor back in May and I think also over the S&C too, so yes seems to be gathering plenty of route knowledge for the future.
    Alistair's career story is pretty remarkable really when you consider as a teenager he helped with the rebuild of Rood Ashton Hall.
     
    acorb, Oct 3, 2024
    #110
    Mick45305 likes this.
Page 6 of 6

Share This Page