North Yorkshire Moors Railway General Discussion

Perhaps some good news i in order for a change - the latest update from Grosmont shed is that tubes have been delivered for 34101 "Hartland"; even though there are still quite a lot of roof stays still to fit, perhaps the end of the overhaul is starting to be visible, maybe this is one for 2027? Equally good news is that 3672 "Dame Vera Lyn" is to take the place of the S160 2253 when that emerges shortly, and will be the next big project. I suspect it will be the next oil-fired engine on the NYMR, and I'm sure it's return will be eagerly awaited byall those of us who reme

 

And LNERCA even got a mention!

 

As mentioned by @unslet, it is to allow access for a crane. This will be needed for the intended propping work and thee is nowhere practical to site it except on the formation between the road and the bridge.

 

As NYMR is in UK and not USA, it’s not really acceptable to just stop paying staff.

 

This is pure guesswork but is it something to do with the location of the water tower at Pickering? Need 29 to be at the right end of the train to access the water tower if its not running round?

 

That's all well and good, but the NYMR can't make money out of leaves. If they don't have any money, how are they going to pay staff?

Noel

 

Perhaps the answer to the first part is in the second; maybe they have decided that no matter what they say, they are going to get bashed - so why say anything?

Mind, I happen to believe that that's not the best approach - burying one's head in the sand, when one is standing in the middle of the road, is not going to prevent one from getting run over by the HGV one can't then see.

Noel

 

It isn't. But there's a word for what happens when an organisation can't fund payroll - or other debts when they fall due.

The challenge posed by @60044 is one that is in my mind, though I'm possibly softer in my interpretation - how does an organisation the size of NYMR sustain the pay budget that it is committed to? That then goes back to fundamental questions, debated many times on here, about the railway's strategy and leadership.

 

I notice signal NB17 (a position light) has been mounted on a short post to improve sighting.

Does anyone what the large wooden cabin/chalet in the car park is used for? Is it a ticket office or information point? I've haven't seen it in use.

 

They become like NCP and call in an administrator, who makes money off the back of your distress

 

I think the point cksteam was making was that there is a turntable available at Pickering - so if 29 needs to be at the North End of the train for watering (makes perfect sense given the locatio of water towers at Pickering and Goathland) why not turn it so it is facing north and therefore running chimney first? Unless the Turntable is not available at the moment?

 

When I measured 29s tyres last year, they were slightly uneven and with the curvature of the railway, it is best leaving it that way round. Not sure what they measured like this year as I'm not longer involved with the railway

 

It probably is but I won't be surprised if this weekend when the Yellow timetable kicks off, the Mk1's are hauled in the same way. Just with a Black 5 going tender first on one end instead of 29. Maybe I'm just over thinking it but IMO most of the visitors to the NYMR go for the steam. In the current setup with no run round at Goathland everything has to be top and tailed. If those that have gone for the steam only see it tender/bunker first I'd bet a significant number of them leave disappointed. It just seems such an easy fix to turn the engine for a month or so rather than have those disappointed customers.

Just for another angle to this.... the railway needs to be doing all it can to advertise its still open and running trains. I can't imagine much of the free publicity they get from the rail photographers/youtubers is going to happen with the steam engines all facing the wrong way. And those that do travel need to be singing the praises of the railway to encourage others to come!

I appreciate operationally it might throw a little complexity, but if you can't leave an engine on the South end of the train due to watering, then surely just turn it for the sake of a few weeks.

 

How many of the general public see any photographs or videos taken by enthusiasts? Anyway there must be plenty out there already if the railway wanted some. Do they not have their own official photographer?

 

I think you need to see this from the customers perspective. This is an experience business. As far as I know the NYMR are still charging full price despite only offering a shortened length. If most of the customers have then come to see a steam engine which they can't see the front of, I think they'd be disappointed. Admittedly that's just an opinion though. But think about the many visitors that take a photo in front of the engine of themselves, or family/friends, that now probably won't bother. Yes you might think that a small thing but now that memory isn't there, that photo isn't there to trigger it, and the whole visit is forgotten. The next time they plan a holiday, or trip, they won't think of the NYMR and if they do, is it a positive thought? To those of us that see engines all the time it probably isn't a big deal, but that isn't most of the people that go to heritage railways anymore. Most of them visit once or twice a year, they aren't members and they aren't always local. You need to make positive memories to get them to come back.

For something that seems to me like such an easy fix I just mark it as an own goal. It doesn't give me the impression of trying very hard when you'd think they would be clamouring to please people and encourage more spend.

 

Meanwhile, in the North Bay at Scarborough a banner invites people to meet 37264. Sadly the people responsible for this are unable to spell the fuel it runs on...

How many marketing Professionals does it take to spellcheck 9 words?

 

Perhaps it's just a temporary thing, as no. 29 needs to be nearer the water crane at Pickering. The water capacity on the 5s and 9F isn't such an issue. I would've thought they'd easily manage 2, possibly 3, round trips to Goathland without needing water if they're only working half the journey.

In an ideal world the steam loco would be on the south end rather than the north. Visible from the road at Pickering and Goathland to passing traffic, and more accessible to passengers at Pickering too. I've never seen too many wander down to the front at Pickering, people seem happier getting on the train and finding their seats. Grosmont is another matter though, but completely irrelevant for the next few weeks/months. IIRC the loco is off the platform at the north end of Goathland anyway, so it doesn't matter which way it's facing - you're not going to be able to get a shot of the smokebox anyway.

 

TBH with a tender loco you could probably have it at the South End as there is a suitably placed water column on the southbound platform at Goathland, and you can probably do a round trip to Goathland on a tender loco's tank. All though that does kind of depend on which platform they are using

 

Almost everything, even the simple stuff, seems to be too difficult for the NYMR at present. It’s such a shame, and if not reversed will be terminal.