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RTC 2025

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by 2857Harry, Sep 7, 2024.

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  1. Alex Productions

    Alex Productions New Member

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    Brilliant news 44871 is pulling the train! So happy for all the passengers they've got a steam loco. Hope to see the trip on Saturday!
     
    Alex Productions, Sep 22, 2025 at 5:27 PM
    #641
  2. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    400 passengers on RTC's trip get steam. 1800 passengers on the Jacobite this week don't because 44871 is moving south a week early. WCRC need five steam locos this weekend, yet only two are fully fit, plus another that may or may not be able to leave Carnforth. Pathetic situation, and entirely of their own making.
     
    5944, Sep 22, 2025 at 6:22 PM
    #642
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  3. Alex Productions

    Alex Productions New Member

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    I completely agree with everything you've said, I was only pleased for those on the Railway 200 trip that they've got their loco. It's completely unfair the Jacobite passengers have no loco, I honestly had forgot about that side of it. Unfortunately as you said with the situation WCR are in, they will end up disappointing people and it's not right that is happening. The Jacobite passengers deserve steam just as much as the Railway 200 passengers.
     
    Alex Productions, Sep 22, 2025 at 8:38 PM
    #643
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  4. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    45407 is still there, I think it’s the afternoon train that’s now diesel
     
    Johnb, Sep 22, 2025 at 10:03 PM
    #644
  5. 16Ventnor

    16Ventnor Member

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    44871 hauled BR's last steam hauled train on 11/08/68 so it's fitting in a way that it should be allocated this turn to commemorate the 200th year since the first one. There's a YouTube vid of it and carriage running slowly but definitely more than 20mph.
     
    16Ventnor, Sep 22, 2025 at 10:45 PM
    #645
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  6. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Do not know what they currently do but there used to be money off against a future trip for diesel substitution.
     
    Gladiator 5076, Sep 22, 2025 at 10:49 PM
    #646
  7. henrywinskill

    henrywinskill Well-Known Member

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    I think we realised a long time ago that the coalman has no respect for anyone
     
    henrywinskill, Sep 23, 2025 at 7:15 AM
    #647
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  8. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    And of course they have RCT over a barrel, If there were another operator, with the required licences and contracts with engine owners, would they have stayed with West Coast? Its Un fortunate that DB decided to reduce its presence in the Railtour market, as they could have provided an alternative. Instead, West Coast have a near monopoly in the market, due to the coverage they have.
     
    martin1656, Sep 23, 2025 at 8:40 AM
    #648
  9. twr12

    twr12 Well-Known Member

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    Which locos and coaches would DB or AN Other operator use?
     
    twr12, Sep 23, 2025 at 8:48 AM
    #649
  10. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    Hence why I said West Coast have a Monopoly , and have any tour operator over a barrel,
     
    martin1656, Sep 23, 2025 at 9:11 AM
    #650
  11. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Main line operation is not easy and significant investment is needed in compliant rail operation , compliant stock and locomotives which means there are only ever going to be limited options available and quite significant barriers to entry . It isn't a monopoly as there are four steam operating TOC's but equally if hypothetically RTC wished to tender the operation I suspect there maybe limited desire from the other three TOC's to be able to support the scale of RTC's operation

    RTC and WC have a long standing connection which as others have alluded too maybe deeper than some assume.

    The current situation is not ideal for all parties but equally armchair critics throwing insults at the owner , who has done a massive amount for main line steam and preservation over the years doesn't help and reflects badly on the enthusiast movement and if anything will just further entrench the resolve . I don't condone nor necessarily agree with the actions taken but equally I can understand why the position has developed as it has .

    Had LSL, VT and WC been able to challenge collectively then the outcome may have been different but once one adopted in light of the mandate it totally changes the potential outcomes
     
    Sidmouth, Sep 23, 2025 at 10:24 AM
    #651
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  12. Andy Williams

    Andy Williams Well-Known Member

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    Perhaps LSL and VT had the sense to realise that mounting a challenge against Regulation 5 was likely to prove fruitless, and would only serve to enrich members of the legal profession. Hindsight proves their decision to be the right one.
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2025 at 12:38 PM
    Andy Williams, Sep 23, 2025 at 12:32 PM
    #652
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  13. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    once LSL had committed there was I suspect no turning back . we will never know if a collaboration forum had sat down with the ORR if the outcome would have been in any way different
     
    Sidmouth, Sep 23, 2025 at 1:56 PM
    #653
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  14. 30567

    30567 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Quite sad though. Not that long ago WCR was clearly number one. This weekend, if Ralph is right, the Lune Rivers will be diesel, according to reports the Royal Duchy will be diesel, and 44871 has to be brought down a week early to do the Rail 200 Stanhope and Newcastle trip. How times change.
     
    30567, Sep 24, 2025 at 11:20 AM
    #654
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  15. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Yes, times are changing although there is a case for suggesting that what is really happening is that the dial is shifting and that is potentially generating some collateral damage.
     
    Big Al, Sep 24, 2025 at 11:48 AM
    #655
  16. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    5944, Sep 24, 2025 at 12:25 PM
    #656
  17. henrywinskill

    henrywinskill Well-Known Member

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    Yes,Bob Dylan was right!
     
    henrywinskill, Sep 24, 2025 at 1:02 PM
    #657
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  18. 30567

    30567 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    There must be some way out of here
    said the Joker to the Thief
     
    30567, Sep 24, 2025 at 2:16 PM
    #658
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  19. twr12

    twr12 Well-Known Member

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    A number of (dual braked) steam locos previously available for hire by charter promoters for operation by WCR are now unavailable for a number of reasons:-
    60009 mothballed
    46233 general overhaul
    70000 LSL exclusive
    34016 ditto

    1 or 2 of those could potentially have covered for either or both of 34028 & 34067 this coming weekend.
     
    twr12, Sep 24, 2025 at 4:06 PM
    #659
  20. AMP

    AMP Member

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    34046 not 16 but you could also add 60103 and 60163 spat/operators choice

    Andrew
     
    AMP, Sep 24, 2025 at 4:38 PM
    #660
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