Tornado

But if you don't adhere to the rules especially on posting news items expect a telling off.

 

Yes, its not as preservation focused as this site, but it is IMHO worth a look at,

 

Good luck with that until your view differs to that of the chief administrator over something. I got kicked off after the first Covid lock down for having a different view over travel risk and told if I was not going to travel my opinions were not wanted.
I will say to me the only good parts are the Disputes and Fares threads though.

 

I find it complementary to NP rather than a substitute. The section on railtours, preservation etc is a lot less informed than on here, and if you want to read the views of professionals I'd say WNXX is better. However for news about things like disruptions, what's going on etc, Rail Uk is good, and I agree the section on fares and disputes is also good.

 

And sometimes... it really is.

 

I find this forum and https://www.railforums.co.uk/ complementary.

 

That's the one to which Martin is referring.

 

And thats how it should be, open handed and fair, both sites complement each other,

 

Meanwhile back on thread, pics have emerged of her at York, on her way to NYMR.

 

Yes, dragged to Grosmont by DB

 

Interview with Steve Davies in Trackside this month, states a meeting was due to take place with ANother TOC on 8th August with view to going on their books. He is not in a rush to resume mainline operations as Heritage line hires are proving just as lucrative - states they are ahead of budget financially this year.
Once again door is firmly left open for them to work with West Coast again.
Trackside also reports that disagreement stems from A1 Trust choosing to have a washout undertaken at Wansford rather than Southall. Seems like a minor thing to throw toys out of pram for!
RTC hope to have a Black 5 in the south and Tangmere in the north from end of August. Kelly Osborne still hopes Mk1s will return but acknowledged this is taking longer than expected.
Whole article reeked of spin to be honest, could easily have been written by Alistair Campbell..

 

Possibly, possibly not. It depends how your boiler maintenance procedure has been documented between the two parties. If the agreement is that washouts are carried out under the supervision of WCRC staff, then it becomes an issue if that is not done, because the person who is accountable for ensuring it is done correctly may not have been present and able to observe that it was done correctly.

That's not intended as a slur on the standard of work carried out at the Nene Valley; but the key point is that if there was any future issue, someone has to put their signature on a document that says the washout occurred according to a standard, and if that person is a WCRC staff member, how could they sign that off if they weren't present to watch? So I can understand the disagreement, particularly if washing out at Wansford had not been agreed in advance.

(There's a lot of surmise in there about what actually happened, but I am just noting why what might seem a minor issue could actually be quite significant).

Tom

 

As I can't see Tornado doing any Trust promoted tours this year what is the purpose of 21st Century Steam currently?

The first tour after the overhaul was supposed to be the Ribblehead Rambler, which due to the prolonged overhaul eventually got postponed and was going to be rescheduled at a later date. Somehow I think that idea has been scrubbed and supporters currently look like only being able to travel behind the loco if they go to a preserved railway it will be appearing at.

Dave B

 

only dragged to Tees yard, Solo to NYMR

 

This was what I heard a week or so ago.

 

BUT as noted at §9893 does the process require sign-off by WCRC personnel which isn't possible if process was carried out at location other than a WCRC one.

 

Quite possible and if that was the case then you could see reason for grievance by West Coast if they weren't aware, however, is it an issue that warrants immediate contract termination?
Or would it have been better to say 'we require someone from West Coast present to ensure the process is done according to our procedures, please ensure this happens moving forward'.
I guess my point is that normally if there is a grievance between contracted parties then an opportunity is given to correct the issue before hitting the big red button, especially if the relationship had been good and mutually beneficial up to that point.
It will also be highly unlikely to be at zero cost to West Coast to terminate a multi year contract early. My gut says there is more to this than just a boiler wash out in a wrong place.

 

Your last sentence sums up the Trust’s more recent relationship with the facts rather neatly.
If Davies’ account sleights WCRC unjustly, it will be interesting to see if they break radio silence on the matter.
BTW where have you seen a copy of Trackside, it normally arrives on a Thursday, if I’m lucky?

 

I have a digital subscription, landed yesterday.

In the interests of fairness I don't think any of the parties quoted in the article were being particularly straight and honest - for Kelly to state she is still hopeful of Mk1s returning this year is fantasy land.
I just hope it all gets sorted out as its not doing anyone any favours.