WCRC Licence Suspended

Quite so

 

Not sure about that. ORR has its own responsibilities related the H&S rules and so on, which are independent of NR's operation licence and track-access decisions. What they might each be waiting for, though, is the RAIB report into the SN45 SPAD. Any idea when that might be completed? I guess WCRC, ORR and NR will have sight of it before it's published.

 

RAIB reports generally take around 10 - 12 months from notification to publication, so let's hope that's not what NR/ORR are waiting for!

 

Ah, right-hoh. NR's time-line is 4-6 weeks, and I guess it's much the same for ORR.

I wonder how many new bookings RTC and SD have received since Good Friday, and how many of those they've felt able to accept? It must be a worrying time to be running those businesses right now.

 

In simple terms, it has launched formal proceedings to revoke WCR’s safety certificate.

Correct, it does not say or mean that at all. Its a very poor piece of journalism.

 

My major concern out of all this, is the likelihood of WCRC throwing their toys out of the pram, chucking steam charters down the pan, throwing the blame solely onto ORR and NW and trying the Big Bad Brother spoilsports routine.

 

I'd have thought there's too much invested in steam locos by WCR for them to throw their toys out of the pram, unless there is a massive sell-off - but if there was, would the market be able to absorb such a quantity of stock?

 

DS and his partners probably feel like doing that (especially given all the flack that must be coming their way at the moment!), but I think sense will prevail. What they need is an experienced railwayman as "Director Of Operations" or something of the sort. That's quite a recruitment challenge ;-)

 

In a way, it needs a director of operations that has NEVER worked in the rail industry before but is a competant and experienced manager - and therefore has to learn the correct way first from the various authorities and then applies things within WCR..

 

While I can see you line of thought, the system doesn't work in a way that it could be applied here. It is up to the TOC to develop its own SMS and this includes monitoring to ensure compliance. Given a suitable approach, obtaining some guidance from ORR is not impossible but if somebody who clearly had no experience of the areas they are seeking to be responsible for in a senior role were asking about the very basics, I am sure ORR would see that as indicating they were unsuitable for the role they held. Gone are the days (familiar to the heritage sector) of asking an HMRI such Major Peter Olver for his judgement or approval of new works etc. Even then, the Major (a true gentleman and a very great "critical friend" of the heritage movement) would expect to see options presented for guidance not a "we have this problem - what do we do?" approach.

Hence, people with experience and relevant knowledge is exactly what any TOC needs in the senior posts. That could be from a similarly safety dependent industry (the network rail CEO is from the petrochemical industry, I believe) but again it will depend on the size of the organisation and hence the extent and breadth of its senior team - the smaller the outfit, the less room for those lacking immediately relevant experience.

I am equally sure that ORR will look for the appropriate approach to the importance of safety ("safety culture") and the lead on safety coming from any senior post holders. I would suggest the attitude on this has gradually hardened over the years and relevant knowledge and experience and definite evidence of safety culture are much more important today than even a small number of years back.

None of these comments relate specifically to the case under discussion - just the sense I have picked up from others in the industry of the general expectation and requirements - and probably not just for those operating on Network Rail metals but, suitably adjusted to take account of an organisations level of operations, on any "guided transport system".

Steven

 

Do I hear a call for Chris Green - the no-nonsense manager who seems to succeed with every task he has been given; in that context his ScotRail experiences will surely help with the "Jacobite" as a first step in the necessary reorganisation of WCRC.

 

Toys out of pram simply isn't an option, surely. There is too much at stake for WCR, it's employees, partners and a whole host of other stakeholders. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the suspension (and incidentally, I don't recall seeing anyone arguing against it being justified), it is in everyone's interest, but primarily WCR's, to work towards meeting Network Rail's criteria which will hopefully see a return to operations. This is obviously a very complex situation and the involvement of the ORR adds to that complexity, but let's be positive and hope for a resolution within the next few weeks.

 

What's Adrian Shooter up to since he retired? He had/has some involvement with Moorlands and City, but I'd have thought that wasn't very onerous right now.

 

He's busy as CEO of Vivarail, putting Ford engines in ex-LT D Stock to replace the BL**DY Pacers!
Dave

 

Cue another thirty pages of speculation and froth!

 

If the company's called "VivaRail", should he be using Vauxhall engines, not Ford?
(It's OK, I'm just leaving...)

 

Push the emergency door release quickly someone.....

 

People with long memories may care to remember why David Smith used the opportunities created at privatisation to set up a TOC.
All because InterCity Charters and SLOA were too snobbish to use his mere freight engine (48151) any more than 4 times each year.
Who knows if he has the same resolve this time to find a solution? I bet he does!

 

Any news from Scotland

I suggest that in view of the importance they attached to steam tourist services in the recent tendering process for the Scotrail franchise & the impact of the possible loss of The Jacobite they may want to get involved

 

Thinking about it basically whats needed is some sort of desire across the industry to see steam continue on the main line, and a willingness to do whats needed to make it happen safely.