Main Line Steam - Possible ramifications of the WCRC suspension

The only point worth adding to that, perhaps, is whether 60103 is being prepared with DBS use in mind. Its been stated before that 60103 will be limited to 2 tour companies so whether it is now intended to get the loco on DBS books as a precaution only those on the inside can say. Think the vac brakes are going back on but is it retaining air too?
In the event of WCRC matters not turning out favourably it would amount to a further disaster for NRM should 60103 be curtailed through not having a mainline TOC to work with. Presumably those decisions will have to be taken quite shortly in order for any additional auditing that may be required for DBS purposes if it hasn't already been covered.

 

It's been my long held view, posted on Nat Pres a few times way back, that eventually main line steam will operate from a very few number of bases where expertise and infrastructure etc is concentrated. And over a very few routes where the impact on the crowded, fast moving 21ct century railway will be minimised. If such routes still exist. Maybe this crisis will bring that closer.

IMHO such a move will need a new way to raise finance as I question if such limitations will give the general public the variety of routes that will keep them buying tickets.

Nothing stays the same for ever.

 

Yes I agree with that and I have also stated so both on Nat Pres and elsewhere. Such routes are most likely to be secondary but there may still be scope on routes such as Berks and Hants which are not heavily used.

Don

 

can foresee a simular situation, for instance the GW route out of paddington will be a no go zone, once its fuly electrified so asuming that one of the former eurostar platforms at Waterloo can be used, then waterloo to reading via Virginia water, then via the hants and Berks , that gives a destination of bath, bristol, or minehead, Victoria can still be the departure point for sussex and kent , Tysley would carry on as they do, based on Birmingham, and Crewe would be a changeover point for tours from Kings Cross.and other london departure points

 

Abellio have now publicly stated their intention to seek a new partner for their steam operations and hope to have confirmation within the next 2 weeks.

 

The S&C would be ok but maybe not the WCML. That raises an interesting question which is how does this square with Open Access and who decides which TOC should have priority?

 

Why? The West and East Coast main lines are not "no go zones"

 

Whilst some loco's we work on more regular than others, we (those of us who have been driving a few years) have worked on loco's from all of the big four, plus BR standards. So this is not an issue.

 

I just wondered who was on 60163's footplate when she did The Border Raider last summer?

It would be a shame to lose Shap and Beattock and the site of stanier pacifics among others.

 

Open Access will end for heritage traction. I would reckon a good case could be assembled of all sorts of heritage traction based incidents to justify a change in legislation. Straight off the top with no research at all, I think these are somewhere near correct, please correct me if I am wrong as I could be. Clan Line having to drop it's fire after I think it dropped a plug, 30777 causing major fire problems at Doncaster, Tangy's rod incident and the latest Tangy incident. Add in all other lineside fire incidents and any other incidents and I believe a very convincing case could be made for a very restricted access policy for heritage traction. i.e no right of access at all, just on a grace and favour basis. It will come I am sure. One more step towards that could be if there is found to be a steam loco specific reason within all that happened with Tangy, (but not to be discussed on this thread of course).

Yes, incidents occur all the time with modern traction. But why add to them with 19th century based technology. A truly major incident with such traction would be totally indefensible in the public eye.

 

Lacks of paths on the GW mainline between Paddington and Reading because you would imagine that any spare paths would be used to increase the number of commuter trains during the week days,week ends maybe may not be so busy where as if there's space at Waterloo it may be easier to path a 75 mph train on the SWT route.

 

i dont think open access would end as such, but it would be harder to get paths agreed, steam will be restricted to a handful of routes that are not busy, and the examinations of any engine that is passed for NR will be more stringent, with proper records of every FTR and the maintenance schedule having to be available for inspection.

 

Not surprised. Where did you see this, Fred? On a ScotRail web site?

 

Northbound driver Keith Murfin, fireman Mark Dale, TI Bob Hart, Southbound driver Pete Sheridan, fireman Sean Levell (+ a trainee fireman), TI Gareth Jones.

What a pair of teams!

Foxy.

 

Intrigued who they plan this to be, do DBS have crews with steam experience in Scotland - how many weeks is it to kick off?

 

The first trips on the ScotRail web-site are June 20th - 22nd. Waverley Re-opening (the high-profile event) is September.

DBS have worked steam tours in Scotland in recent years, including a couple of Cathedrals Explorers and last year's Border Raider (see above). Not sure which routes required conductors, though. With 2 months to make arrangements, they should be able to come up with something. Mind you, they won't be able to use 48151 in June as previously suggested.

 

Steam out of Paddington is usually weekends anyway.An available platform that steam is passed for and long enough makes it very difficult for weekdays.

 

See the FUJI been out again.Thought it didnt start til next Tuesday