WCME/CME 2024

Oh I know how to deal with it, whether many othersb who just want a nice trip down the S&C looking at the scenery do is another matter.

I know on the second year of the WCR Santa's the elf in our carriage came round with cleaning wipes and did the windows after about 30 mins.

 

Amongst all the other bits and pieces I used to take along on "winter" trips was a small zipper plastic bag containing a microfibre cloth moistened with washing up liquid, it worked a treat and was often passed round to those seated nearby. It seems whilst you relied on an "elf" I relied on some "fairy" (liquid).

 

Ahh good skills. Why fork out for Premier Dining when you could be playing 'pass the microfibre' in standard class; it's the simple pleasures in life...

 

We took the grandkidlings on the Santa train at the GCR. Bitter cold and windows totally steamed up, as per usual in Mk1s, but help was at hand. Each table was provided with a window squeegee, hooked up on the opening vent handles - perfect and much better than paper towels etc.

All mainline tours should follow suit imho (assuming they’ve got opening vent ofc!).


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Looks like the CME hasn't left Euston yet.

 

Departed 49 down

 

Away 49L stock left Southall late

 

If I had got up a silly o'clock for a railtour I would be seriously annoyed to be hanging about for nearly an hour.

Also what is this https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U66476/2024-01-27/detailed about? Apparently a scheduled shunt from platform 16 to platform 4 which didn't happen, perhaps cancelled to save time, despite which departure was delayed more than the ECS arrival.

 

That's the diesel move.

 

The 86 was also well late into Euston https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U66466/2024-01-27/detailed

 

According to a control centre e-mail I get from work the Elizabeth Line had delays this morning due to a points failure at Acton. Might have affected the ECS?

Regards,

Dan

 

RTT Crewe says there's a reported problem with the 86. Seemed OK leaving on Crewe Railcam. What a lovely rake.

 

The 86 had failed but then came back to life. The delay to the ECS was caused by trying to extract another loco from Southall to take the train in case the 86 didn't kick back into life.

The path has been poor and the train was diverted via Northampton but in fairness to the signallers we have had a clear run since Colwich and have still lost time so clearly the correct decision.

Andrew

 

I am sure most were not relishing the wait, but stuff happens, and on the network on a daily basis. Even modern stuff fails one of the 66's failed on the UKR Awkward week Avoider tour last month and that left Peterborough with about the same length of delay and they then had to collect a replacement 66 at Eastleigh.
A PHBT delay would have been far longer.

 

Pretty sure some of these Mk2 FO’s in that set were acquired from FM Rail’s former Blue Pullman set.

 

According to Vintage Carriage Database, yes.

 

The ORR will need to approve mainline use of squeegees! if approved, only the stewards will be able to operate them... otherwise there may be a murder when someone suffocates somebody else with one!

 

Yes, and of course, the stewards would have to attend a five day residential training course in order to achieve competence in the safe handling and operation of said squeegees!