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UK Railtours - End of Southern Steam - 2017 Commemoratives

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Where's Mazeppa?, Nov 25, 2016.

  1. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    That all feels like another "wouldn't it be nice" idea but who knows?
     
  2. derby2

    derby2 New Member

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    Whilst I don't want to get all misty-eyed as we drift off into "Wouldn't it be nice" territory, I can say that all the suggestions put forward in postings since mine of yesterday have already been given an airing in our marketing committee discussions. None at all have been rejected, and - provided this year's trips are financially successful (that is imperative) - then they will doubtless be up for discussion for 2018 and beyond.
    The 'big push' for this year now has to be filling the '50th anniversary' commemorative trains; I doubt that anything more will be added to the already published programme, other than a Christmas operation in December, but you never know. I certainly can envisage 35028 turning up at both Minehead and Kingswear sometime in the foreseeable future; it's just how we do it that has to be looked at carefully. At the risk of being overly-repetative, the words "commercially and operationally robust" have always got to be at the forefront of our thoughts.
    If I might put in a 'plug' for "Clan Line", the loco has been one of the most active on the main-line since the return of steam in 1971. Not only does 2017 mark the 50th anniversary of its withdrawal from BR service, but also the 50th anniversary of its ownership by the MNLPS. The fourth major overhaul in our ownership is just being completed, and we are one of the very few main-line locos that is not owned by a fairly wealthy - or very wealthy - businessman, and has never received a penny in lottery funding. The reason I keep banging on about the money side of things is that the MNLPS committee is 100% aware that we are transient and mortal, but "Clan Line" is here for all time; thus as her present 'guardians and custodians' we are duty-bound to keep her in the best possible condition for the benefit of future generations. So as part of this we are already thinking ahead to the NEXT 10-year overhaul, which the Stewarts Lane crystal ball tells us will probably require at least one million pounds to fund! That means banking an average of £100,000 in net profit every year, without making allowances for contingencies! A decade of 'squeaky bum time' to be sure.
    Therefore, if you'd like to join us for the ride - literally and/or metaphorically - please give consideration to joining the society; every little helps. We're looking at ways to give a bit more 'benefit' to members than hitherto, and we're not such a studious and straight-laced bunch as you might imagine. Full details, as ever, can be found at www.clan-line.org.uk
     
  3. Wayne

    Wayne New Member

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    There is a restriction on locomotives (inc diesel) on the pier section of Portsmouth Harbour station at the moment.
    I believe Network Rail would block the idea at the starting blocks!
     
  4. gricerdon

    gricerdon Guest

    I hope you will be driving No 28 on 9th July Wayne (and on 27th May)
     
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  5. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    i have just watched a video of the woking 100 runs, seeing 30055 doing shunt release, now, that the one detail that will be missing on the tours a tank loco to drag the stock back to clapham, its a pity none of tysley's panniers mainline reg are air fitted , or are they? didnt former WR panniers get transfered to nine elms for empty stock workings?
    yes Don, i am going to wash my mouth out saying WR on a waterloo sunset post
     
  6. Wayne

    Wayne New Member

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    Have been instructed by those up high 'don't even think about asking for leave around those dates!'.
    Also, of course, 5th July. So will be involved, but won't know which bits until much later.
     
  7. mrKnowwun

    mrKnowwun Part of the furniture

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    Just been informed the 27th ACE postponed to 23rd Sep due to gauge issues at Thatcham and Clan Line overhaul slippage

    I can't make the new date so i will be claiming full refund
     
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  8. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    UKRT has today postponed the ACE with Clan Line until September 23rd. This is because of the gauging issue on the Berks and Hants route that they have been told will be sorted out in the summer and the tight timing of the return of Clan Line to the tour's running date.

    That is a really sensible decision as it moves the trip away from the Tornado one-way to Penzance and also it avoids the potential for Clan Line's first major workout to be one at full stretch on an extended day before any possible snagging issues have been discovered and addressed.

    I'm more than satisfied with that change of date. Good thinking by UKRT and the MNLPS.
     
  9. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    Same here.
     
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  10. 1020 Shireman

    1020 Shireman Part of the furniture Friend

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    Couldn't agree more. Only odd thing about the date is a Belmond Pullman was scheduled.
     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2017
  11. green five

    green five Resident of Nat Pres

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    That is a relief. I was a little worried that 35028 would be thrown in at the deep end so to speak. At least she will be well run-in before tackling any of the SR Anniversary runs.
    I just hope the change over of SWT to the new operator in August doesn't throw a spanner in the works for the new September date.
     
  12. mrKnowwun

    mrKnowwun Part of the furniture

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    I am less than satisfied with the change of date but even less surprised. The UK mainline steam business remains one that is oversold and under delivers. The choice of this tour was not mine, and I tried to warn the others of my party that this tour was always going to be "a chancer" (in fact a "no chancer") but I had no answer to the comment "But why would they advertise it if it wasn't going to run" Its a very valid question.

    Of course its not all the fault of the promoters (tho they do appear at times to live in fairy land when they propose these tours), a recurring theme is the shameful inability of Network Rail to keep the network in gauge. (or even know what the hell is going on)
     
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  13. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    That's a rather curious comment. I don't think that the gauging issue at Thatcham could have been anticipated when the tour was proposed and were gauging to be a query generally then that would almost preclude you trying to run a steam charter anywhere. I assume that, given the return is into Waterloo (and not Paddington) the time it would take to run back from Exeter on an alternative route and then head across to Waterloo from Reading probably made the finish time unacceptable.

    On the loco overhaul point, even with quite a large chunk of recovery time built into the overhaul schedule, when the tour was proposed the need for a new tube plate (if you were going to do the job properly) was known but that may well have been one factor that has made the final stages quite tight. And if you know the MNLPS then you will also know that they always go for a 'belt and braces' approach to what they do. And @green five has already commented on the sense of not plunging the loco straight off test into a multi hundred mile day.

    Sometimes the good things in life are worth waiting for.
     
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  14. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    Good thinking to postpone maybe but the new date isn't good as it's right in the middle of the Severn Valley Autumn Steam Gala. I'm not missing that so I'm afraid I shall be asking for a refund on this one. Not too worried to be honest - the main event for me is the 9th July run
     
  15. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    To their credit UKRT have addressed the issue in good time. Other promoters I could mention sometimes change or cancel tours with just a few days notice.
     
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  16. mrKnowwun

    mrKnowwun Part of the furniture

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    Thats the point. There wasn't. It was obvious to even a casual observer that rostering this loco on that date was unfeasible. As a casual observer I knew it, others in my party would not accept that a promoter would act in such a wilfully unrealistic manner. I assumed that Clan Line would not make that date, and assumed that another loco would stand in. (with a revised route maybe)

    Except of course when the revised date is unsuitable.

    Based on experience I am reluctant to book rail tours. Its sad to say my experience has not let me down. Still as was mentioned the promoter quickly acted when the inevitable happened so I'll get a full refund. Some other poor punters dont even get that.
     
  17. mrKnowwun

    mrKnowwun Part of the furniture

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    I doubt that China Rail will have time to change the livery or the letterheads, let alone fiddle with the scheduling by that date.
     
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  18. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Says who? I would suggest that both UKRT and the MNLPS have rather more knowledge of the infeasibility, or not, of dates than your good self. I take it on trust that both groups knew what they were doing at the time the trip was proposed.
    Then you clearly know nothing about why that loco was chosen in the first place and why a substitute might not have been acceptable to UKRT. As for the "assuming Clan Line will not make that date point", all I have to go on is the MNLPS site updates that seemed to suggest things were not far off the planned timing. Perhaps the reasons have something (unknown) to do with LNWR Crewe work patterns. Either way, it is sad that you cannot make the date but at least that gives people on the waiting list a chance to go.
     
  19. mrKnowwun

    mrKnowwun Part of the furniture

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    Said me at the time of booking, and clearly current circumstances justify such doubts

    Of course I do, I can read as well as you can , and you can stop being so personally condescending and sarcastic. Stick to discussing the post and the circumstances and keep personal remarks out of it.
     
  20. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Sorry. I thought that was exactly what I was doing. For example: your comment:
    "It was obvious to even a casual observer that rostering this loco on that date was (sic) unfeasible"

    Well, it wasn't obvious to me. And neither was it obvious in the messages given at the time of the announcement about the trip from the society that is not known for inaccuracy and overstatement.

    Anyway, we are where we are. At least it will run as planned, just at a later date.
     
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