WCRC Licence Suspended

I finally got to my reading library (WH SMITHS) and read the second editorial by Nigel Harris. Again I found it to be a second "outraged of cheam" letter to the Times rather than incisive journalism. Two key points, personal condemnation of the driver involved in the SPAD accusing him of lying, ignoring the possibility of what the driver seriously thinks he saw (its a common problem with signals), but the crux being that much was made of the fact that WCRC and David Smith refused to comment or engage with Rail Magazine but had the temerity to speak to someone from another magazine.

 

I'm not so sure. Certainly not in the next few months during the phased return to services. Only time will tell. But remember there were a lot of people saying this couldn't continue at the same pace BEFORE the suspension. Maybe I am just an old cynic.

 

I do suspect there was rather too much waking up and coffee smelling in your household Its true.

 

...still, even if it's not "Business as usual", it's a big step in the right direction.

My hopes began to rise when Ben Mason of Vintage Trains announced the postponement of 5043's trip to Poole to 30th May. Like a good few other people who have travelled with Vintage Trains, I am very impressed with its professionalism, so if VT was announcing a definite alternative date, it seemed likely that it knew that some positive news was in the offing and some sort of timescale for WCRC to return. Announcing a new date only to postpone it yet again as soon as it was in the public domain just isn't VT's style.

Having said that, after the seriousness of the event and its aftermath, I guess, like many others, I still didn't want to raise my hopes only to be disappointed - even after your post, Steve. Still, now the Jacobite Stock is on the move with the Riley Fives to follow, we can be thankful for some solid evidence.

 

And I'd bet that Mr Smith isn't complaining to NR about the letter, I think if I'd have been in his position I'd be breathing a huge sigh of relief.
The ball is very much in WC's court now, any more indiscretions and it'll all be over, ORR will be watching VERY closely, NR are waiting to pounce, it will be a stressful time for them.
I hope WC succeed, directly and indirectly they provide a lot of people with jobs................and they give a lot of pleasure to the travellers who use them

 

Just something that occurred to me.....the lifting of the suspension is perfect timing for the start of the Jacobite. At the end of April, NR indicated that there would be no early revocation of the suspension and following that statement, I think everyone expected nothing further to happen until at least 15th May and probably later than that. Even WCRC in their statement a few days ago eluded to a possible delay in the start of the Jacobite.
And so to my point.....it got me wondering if any political pressure from North of the border was applied to NR? I guess we'll never know and in any event, I for one am certainly not complaining!

 

I would think every politico, north or south of the border, was rather more engaged in (to them) more important stuff. If it had any political mileage someone would have used it before the final vote, not quietly slipped it out after.

 

You have a point but there are still one or two politicians out there who continue to work for what is right for their areas and constituents, regardless of political gain timing. You don't know who knows who in this game and one or two phone calls between influencers and decision makers can make all the difference, not just in this case but in all walks of life.

 

Having a major railway disaster in your constituency is not good for your constituents

And being one of those responsible for short circuiting a safety issue for political or constituents gain is not good for your constituents, your party, your own career, possibly even your liberty.

 

Thanks Steve, not steam but good to see WCRC moving on the rails again .

 

Absolutely, but I wasn't suggesting for one minute that the suspension would have been lifted if there had been any remaining concerns regarding WCRCs safety case, even in the remotest sense. That would have been plainly ridiculous.

 

but that wouldn't matter in Scotland though...............would it?

 

Surely given their respective roles, if NR have decided/agreed with WCR that lifting the suspension on the basis of a phased implementation plan starting with a relatively simple self-contained operation is an acceptable way forward, ORR is not going to reject that. No doubt there will be briefings and questions. If it had gone the other way, then ORR would have come into play bigtime and it needed to prepare the ground for that with its consultation and leave the parties in no doubt as to its seriousness.

It will be interesting to see what step 2 along the road is, assuming step 1 goes well.

 

I'm not sure there is a defined "step 2", there was certainly no provisos, intermediate requirements, or milestones specified by NR. Its seems to me, based on that published by NR, that the phased implementation was a sensible conciliatory offer from WCRC. Its a good indication of the less confrontational management attitude of WCRC.

 

Really? Quote "This will include reviewing with you in three months the progress made by you in working within your new governance structure and Safety Management System".

 

Pretty non descriptive in milestones and specifics tho isn't it. No mention of restrictions before that date, no mention of what can be achieved after that date. No mention in any way of what specifics needs to be achieved by that meeting. Its a review, nothing more nothing less.

 

Edit, I will tell you one thing NR will be expecting at that review. They will be expecting to be shown documented examples of where WCRC have tested the SMS, they might even be expecting to be shown examples of where in practise the SMS has holes and what steps WCRC have taken to resolve them.

 

Did they? That's not the impression I had, I thought it was WCRC that suggested there'd be no further progress until the 15th but I'm happy to be corrected.

 

Yes, indeed, I would expect all of that to happen as well.