West Somerset Steam Express 2016

Yep.

The reason I asked the question earlier about views 'from the train' is that on Saturday evening I was on Bishops Lydeard platform during the change from WSR steam to main line diesel on the outgoing working.

The folks on the train were mingling, shopping, taking photographs of the train and each other (and me, given that I was in uniform for the Quantock Belle that departed a little later - I think they thought I was associated with their train ). I always have fairly long antennae extended to detect any unhappiness from customers on WSR premises and I got no whiff of that.

Anyway, who could be unhappy on a perfect summer evening in West Somerset? It is almost as if we serve a soporific, euphoria-inducing drug to visitors. Ah, yes. It's called 'Thatchers Gold'

Robin

 

I was on the train and it was disappointing to have steam only one way especially as I had a rear facing seat at the back of the train an underwelming steam experience IMHO however on the WSR it was superb with no diesel and head out window I could not only hear the S&D 7f but see it strutting it's stuff! However until there is a sufficient pool of gauge friendly class 7&8 locos available nothing is going to change much

 

I think just about anyone would be happy once arrived at Bishops Lydeard or points west. Even this curmudgeon is.

 

It seems to me the broader debate divides along two lines. Firstly those that are tolerant of steam charter providers because something is always better than nothing.
The other camp has expectations based more in line with conventional business practices where what is purchased gets provided.
Both viewpoints have their merits and it seems unlikely either will convince the other of the righteousness of their arguments. It has become a fairly tiresome debate, more than one mod has politely asked for refrain where criticism of charter providers goes so it is clear where the NP balance rests.
My twopenneth is that it would be better to run a dozen "perfect" charters annually than multiple numbers beset by problems. Taking this stance I am only interested in the sustainability of steam charters, fearing that more is less and that there is a risk of ambition over capability damaging the long term viability. Ultimately, is it a question of faith and trust?

 

We always used to say the front door of the Hobby Horse pub was MP188!

Marcus

 

47580's 6' x 8' Union Flags seemed to attract a fair amount of approval from some of the railtour passengers. On arrival at Paddington, one gentleman didn't believe the loco was so adorned for HM's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 - he was convinced that it was to do with the EU Referendum!

 

How OLD were you when you used to say that?

Robin

 

Theres the thing, how many people were enthusiasts on that train, how many people were on there for a day out....
The latter pay the bills now I'm afraid,
Like it or not, its the truth.

 

I may have been a little on the young side back in my early railway days, but I have never been a big drinker and I am pretty sure I drank Coke!

Marcus

 

Wondering if September 17th run with 6024, I'd love to see a King on the mainline.

 

would people have complained if D1010 took the train back to BL from minehead on return

 

If the alternative were a steam loco yes very much so!!!

 

It will be several years before 6024's overhaul is complete, so you'll have to wait a while longer!

 

Yes. The original promo said steam out and back. That is what the punters will have paid for. Why would D1010 have changed their perceptions and feelings?

 

One of the crew told me that it was also to do with the working hours. By staying at Bishops Lydeard and working the train home in the evening, the crew would have run out of hours before they got to London so going home early was the only option. He also said that because the booked engine wasn't available and there were no other substitutes, GALATEA was pressed into service as a last minute stand in on the proviso that it only did the down journey.

But, as has been said, an official message from WCRC and RTC would help to clarify things. I was told that using GALATEA just on the down train was the only real option; the others were diesel both ways or cancel the train.

Anyway, I have now got the rest of my pictures of her at Bishops Lydeard on Flickr and this is the first one in the Photostream :

RD13560. 45699 GALATEA at Bishops Lydeard on the West Somerset Railway. by Ron Fisher, on Flickr

 

Should always read the T&cs....
http://www.railwaytouring.net/conditions/uk-tcs.html

All reasonable efforts, within the control of the organisers, will be made to ensure that on the day of the trip, the train runs as planned. However, we cannot accept any responsibility for delays, mishaps, alterations or curtailment of the tour from situations outside of our control.

There may be occasional re-scheduling or re-routing of a train. In adverse conditions the train operating company, West Coast Railways, may feel the need to run with a diesel locomotive attached to the rear as a precaution.

The nature of steam trains is that breakdowns, delays and substitutions have to be accepted. Every genuine effort will be made to ensure that the tour runs as planned and advertised, or as close to it as possible.

Your booking is taken as constituting acceptance of these conditions. No refund or substitutions are available, other than due to cancellation by the organisers. We will not be liable for any consequential loss you may suffer or pay any compensation to you.

 

The Consumer Rights Act etc might have something to say where unfair contract terms are hidden in small print.
As has been mentioned, the increase in diesel contribution becoming the norm should be reflected in the advertising proper. That way if you get pure steam its a bonus nobody is upset by rather than vice versa. All this apology on the day etc might be sincere but the more it happens the less ethical it looks.

 

It's been tried , You don't have a leg to stand on the T&Cs cover the companies 100%.
You would be wasting your time.

 

Rubbish!

 

A class action would succeed, likewise a prosecution when it could be shown the disclaimed events had a higher probability of occuring than the purported service.
It seems odd why someone would seek to defend such an obviously unfair principle. What is required is only clearer advertising and let folk decide in full possession of all the facts. The reasons for diesel usage are usually sound and unavoidable but hiding the probability from customers is plain wrong as well as most likely illegal.