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Cumbrian Mountain Express - 14/10/17

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by iancawthorne, Oct 2, 2017.

  1. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    Look, it was what it was. Yes, a big risk was taken but WCR got away with it, rather Mick Kelly rescued it for them. Move on. The disaster didn't happen. Still think WCR had the solution 'in house', Galatea to double head with Leander, but they chose not to go there. Whether it was a costly venture due to the delays caused to the 3 Northern Trains only WCR know.

    But in any case, that's it for the CMEs for 2017. They were all interesting to say the least. Guardsman was very good, good and ordinary; Leander was way overloaded twice but got us back to Blackburn both times.

    My only issue of note is that after cancelling their whole tour program for the year because of the 'bookings they had' - including CMEs - why didn't PRCLT's 46233 turn up for any of them? Having said that, she didn't run like a Class 8 on the Slough-Gloucester and Rtn with 10 on; undoubtedly my most disappointing run of the year. Sad to say because I love big Lizzies. Mind you, I have been travelling behind the 2 true Class 8s, the undoubted class acts of 2017, Tornado and Clan Line.
     
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  2. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    So next steam in the North West is the Santa's. Could be good proving ground for the Merchant Navy.
     
  3. 5098

    5098 Well-Known Member

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  4. sgthompson

    sgthompson Part of the furniture Friend

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    Don't forget the Cumbrian Express this Saturday with 45690 over the S&C Liam . Edit , sorry missed the reply above my comment .
     
  5. LMarsh1987

    LMarsh1987 Part of the furniture Friend

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    I thought that was it lol ! Will be interesting to see what happens Saturday then ! Double Jubes would be a turn up !
     
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  6. gricerdon

    gricerdon Guest

    I hope Les Fishburn took the names of the offenders so that they can be banned from all future RTC trips
     
  7. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    It's Vintage Trains who have a sensible train length so Leander shouldn't be as stretched with the load.
     
  8. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

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    Which raises interesting questions about the economics dictating train lengths and thus motive power requirements.
     
  9. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Actually it doesn't. VT uses their own stock so they can afford to have a shorter length train to at least break even. (They do, of course, have to fund the maintenance of their stock.) Ditto for West Coast. But the RTC and UKRT have to charter the stock and that adds to their overheads although I believe that West Coast may offer a more reasonable rate for hire of their stock than Riviera.

    The CME? The basic problem here (and arguably it is one that is specific to this route) is that a popular steam charter circuit - Shap and the S&C - involves a bit of main line where paths are few and far between and the need for good timekeeping is critically important. It happens also to involve sections of line that are particularly challenging for steam and dependent on the weather and time of year. If operators cannot be relied on to always go for the safest option with loading of their trains when this route is involved then you could see NR laying down specific restrictions based on engineering knowledge and past performances.

    Wait a minute. Isn't that what they have done? :rolleyes:
     
  10. gricerdon

    gricerdon Guest

    Yes but it's being ignored. RTC should have limited the train to max length 10 or even 9 including support coach and not gone for maximum sales. What they did is irresponsible and might jeopardize future steam operation over Shap
     
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  11. henrywinskill

    henrywinskill Well-Known Member

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    Yes at last a couple of sentences sum up the situation perfectly.Well said Sir!
     
  12. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

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    Actually it does.
    If RTC is reliant on hiring stock and is told of any restrictions that determines the overhead. Its farcical if they are forced to add coaches to sell more seats to make it viable but then exceeds sensible limits.
    Surely as the same business is supplying stock and TOC this is a manageable process. Then there is the "special relationship" between RTC and WC to take into account.
     
  13. 60017

    60017 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Maybe it would just be better to run up to Carlisle with an electric locomotive. Steam one way to Hellifield, diesel back to Carnforth/Preston and electric back down the WCML. That way delays would be minimised, steam not as stretched and all the analysts and finger pointers would be happy with nothing to whinge about.
     
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  14. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Not so sure about that John. I think some of them are only happy when they've got something to whinge about.
     
  15. sycamore

    sycamore Member

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    imagine if there had been a diesel on the back...
     
  16. Copper-capped

    Copper-capped Part of the furniture

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    Lose-lose.
     
  17. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

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    But then, equally, you would have nobody to comment on and as you only tend to remark on individuals, rather than the substance of a debate, your days would be as empty as your contributions.
     
  18. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Electric to Carlisle, one steam to Hellifield and another back to Carnforth like the good old days. - passengers and those in armchairs seemed so much happier then :D
     
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  19. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Sorry can you point me to the bit in @Spamcan81 comments where has remarked upon individuals as I am obviously missing something?
     
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  20. 60017

    60017 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    OK
     

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