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Cathedrals express - 21 July

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by steam_mad, Jul 15, 2011.

  1. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    There are several paths on the ECML which are not used on anything like a daily basis so it's a pity one of them couldn't be used for steam runs.
     
  2. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    But can one of those paths be guaranteed to be free months in advance when the tour is in the first stages of planning?
     
  3. Oakfield

    Oakfield Guest

    If not then they should not have accepted this tour when the specification was delivered to them several months ago. Just total incompetence, no other excuse.
     
  4. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    That is the problem of course but a couple I can think of are used so infrequently that it would be long odds on the train running on the same day as a steam special using the "spare" path and if that did happen then the situation isn't so very different to what we have now, i.e. late cancellation.
     
  5. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    The way I understand it is that the people who use/own that path, albeit infrequently, are afraid to relinquish their hold on it for fear of losing it. Now I know that is perhaps illogical, but how often to we see logic ignored these days?
     
  6. richards

    richards Part of the furniture

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    To organise a railtour on a path which might be taken back by the "owner" at the last minute seems a risky way of doing business. Or maybe the operators don't have any other options/paths?

    Richard
     
  7. spindizzy

    spindizzy Member

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    I think the key words here are from Steam Dreams " no availiable path in the new timetable" does this mean an end to all mid week steam to York? Surely Bittern with two tenders can be found a path?
     
  8. mattjuler

    mattjuler New Member

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    Just seen the news that the tour tomorrow is cancelled. We are booked on the Friday 30th September Cathedral Express, also to York from Kings Cross with "Bitten" out and "Sir Nigel" back. As others have said, I assume this tour is now in serious doubt?
     
  9. gwr4090

    gwr4090 Part of the furniture

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    I believe the 30 September and 24 November tours to York may be rescheduled to weekend dates, although there is no confirmation of this at the moment.
     
  10. osprey

    osprey Resident of Nat Pres

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    According to an article in today's Yorkshire Post the request for a path from SD was only booked 4 weeks ago. Under the circumstances NR said it was impossible to accomodate them due to heavy use of the ECML in these summer months at such short notice.
     
  11. admin

    admin Founder Administrator

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    Can I remind people, it's not the promoter who asks for the paths, it's the TOC, The promoter does not have a contract with NR. SD have been advertising this train since Autumn 2010.
     
  12. osprey

    osprey Resident of Nat Pres

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    You're right, an early morning post...........brain not up to speed...
     

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