TORBAY EXPRESS 2011 Season

I refer you to my previous post?

 

It all depends on how they are maintained. Take DRS's 37's for example. 2X37 managed the 500 (about) mile round trip from Stockton to Sheerness (1300 tons of scrap when loaded) with as far as I can recall no failures (certainly nothing major). Old diesels work just as well as newer loco's do when kept in top condition,unfortunate things do happen,much the same as happened with 71000 this weekend,it cannot be avoided. One can bet that if steam rescued a diesel then failed that none of this sort of criticism would be on here,this forum is as steam biased as WNXX is diesel...simple.

What makes me laugh in this situation is the 47 worked fine,so why there is a huge debate I really don't know!

 

With due respect the "punters" on the platform waiting for their train to work do not give a cause for concern as apposed to those waitng to see a kettle storming through the station. How often do you see people off the end of the platform, even on the lineside, geting too close at foot crossings with their cameras. Sometimes even looking the opposite way from the adjacent platform whilst waiting for said railtour to come through.

 

The point is you need a contingency plan, which to be honest, on one or two steam tours, there really isn't. Rescue is too far away - clearly on a Sunday there aren't any spare crews around and DBS nearest locos are probably Bristol and St Blazey with nought in between. Suppose the Torbay fails to surmount Torre Bank one day in poor conditions and a heavy train - where's assistance going to come from on Sunday night and how long? "Heritage" traction running on NR on a daily basis invariably goes around in pairs or top and tail to give a contingency (DRS trains, NR test trains etc). You could say that they've had all their likely failures all at once, but remember the Torbay Express has now failed out on the west of England main line on two consecutive Sundays - last Sunday it was just good luck that the 'drought' conditions meant the 47 was being conveyed dead behind 71000, and was fired up at Whiteball to rescue the situation with minimal delay. This week it was many miles away....

 

I have cleared out all posts regarding other forums, members etc. This topic is titled
TORBAY EXPRESS 2011 Season

Cheers

 

I absolutely agree about the 'off platform' and 'too close' issues re steam (but also diesel gricers do the same) - my point is that commuters are just as inattentive at times (I watched them for 20 years - heads buried in paper or book within cms of non stop metal !!) and far more of them are "in the firing line" in any typical week! I am definitely not condoning either situation - simply putting the "railfans" issue into the broader context.

 

Couldn't agree more. If anyone thinks that it's only those out to see a railtour who do some silly things, they haven't seen what some commuters get up to. There's a thread on here about a whole train load of passengers trespassing after being stranded. I know that they considered themselves in extreme circumstances but the 750v DC wouldn't have taken note of that. Whether NR pays more attention to the behaviour of "enthusiasts" or commuters though, I know not.

 

Maybe there is a case where regular steam is concerned that a Thunderbird diesel loco be stabled somewhere strategic. Certainly the Jacobite and Cambrian operations have always had this due to the remoteness of the operations. Given the amount of steam down in the south west over the next couple of months I would suggest a diesel positioned at say Exeter would be a good investment. In fairness to steam though, it is very rare for a loco to not be able to limp to a loop of some sort when it fails whereas when a diesel fails it is likely to sit down a block the line.

 

And again.

 

OK. Let me put it simply.
NR and TOC's have had concerns about the amount of "Joe Public" on and around platforms duing STEAM charters. Also the amount of "incidents" at crossings, ends of platforms etc.
There are views that access to (certain)stations should be restricted during steam charters.
Please dont bury your heads in the sands as the above is a real threat to steam on the main line.

 

Back on topic......

I have just received a letter from Torbay Express regarding DOG failing last weekend. The letter apologises for the problems and late return, offers to reimburse any extra expenses involved in getting home and included a voucher towards a future Torbay Express or Pathfinder tour.

I hadn’t contacted Torbay Express so I think this is a prompt and decent unsolicited response from the tour operator.

 

Excellent PR...........

 

I also got the letter. Very positive move, well done.

It was a slightly strange experience on Sunday with only two standard class coaches (not full) and no buffet car; it was a very different atmosphere to previously. I guess the weather didn’t help, PDS&R staff were reportedly said it was the worst they have ever known for a TE!

I know Tom is irreplaceable as a steward but the new chap did a very good job in very difficult circumstances – thanks. We will be back.

 

No heads buried here - just reasoned arguments. Platforms are already restricted access in many situations and I personally have NO problem with restrictions being applied if there is a genuine H&S risk wherever that may be - as you rightly say - the future of steam depends on responsible actions from all concerned - the saddest thing is that the worst culprits are often not joe public - they are fanatical gricers that risk the whole enterprise for us sensible ones - witness the trespassers in my vide from Llanfhangel last sat here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-iT7M2FmmM lets all work together constructively to minimise such instances and secure the future of ALL heritage traction on the mainline. P.s sorry for going off topic mods - no more posts from me on this one....

 

Any ideas what is hauling the TE this weekend (26.06). UK steam info has gone TBA ? I was looking forward to a run with 6024. I don't really mind as long as something boiling water turns up.

 

60163? The third loco in the pool and although currently at the WSR the (unofficial) website says its not working at the weekend for passenger trains, unless they are the "Driver Experience Days" mentioned.................? http://wsr.org.uk/news.htm#1580

 

I've heard on the grapevine that it has been cancelled, although my source isn't always reliable.

 

Oh well,sounds like i'll just have to sit tight and hope its a nice surprise rather than an unpleasant one.Tickets arrrived last week so that implies TE were/are commited to running, in principle. The way I read both WSR websites was that 60163 was scheduled for service trains on the 26th.