If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

Who pays for the diesel during steam ban?

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by neildimmer, Aug 3, 2013.

  1. neildimmer

    neildimmer Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    Messages:
    8,345
    Likes Received:
    946
    Just out of interest when a diesel pilot loco has been on all the steam specials recently, who foots the bill for this?
     
  2. mrKnowwun

    mrKnowwun Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2011
    Messages:
    4,333
    Likes Received:
    2,758
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    West Byfleet
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    The TOC. The question is, whats more expensive the coal or the oil?
     
  3. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2007
    Messages:
    35,121
    Likes Received:
    20,773
    Occupation:
    Training moles
    Location:
    The back of beyond
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Irrespective of which costs more, if the steam loco is hired in then the owner will want his fee paying so the TOC still ends up paying more than if just the one loco was involved.
     
  4. 6136

    6136 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2007
    Messages:
    366
    Likes Received:
    40
    I think I read somewhere (on here?) that diesel fuel is currently 4 or 5 times the price of the equivent coal cost.
     
  5. Steamage

    Steamage Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2005
    Messages:
    4,736
    Likes Received:
    1,107
    Location:
    Oxford
    OTOH, only one footplate (or cab?) crew member required on a DL, vs. 2 (WCRC) or 3(DBS) on steam, which probably out-weighs the difference in fuel cost.
     
  6. saltydog

    saltydog Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2008
    Messages:
    2,566
    Likes Received:
    70
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Birmingham
    Leaving aside the costs of fuel, coal v diesel. If a diesel has to be attached to a steam charter for operational reasons then the TOC will pass on that charge to the charter company, including hire, fuel and driver costs. And as in the case of the recent 'diesel assistance' during the recent hot weather there's no way that cost could have been factored into the ticket price (most tours are planned many months in advance, look at the websites and then tell us what the weather will be like in 3 months time) so basically the tour company has to take the hit. Having said that, where tours are planned that need a diesel for stock movements, reversals etc then that cost will have been known about well in advance and factored into the ticket price.
     
  7. Live Steam

    Live Steam Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2005
    Messages:
    1,173
    Likes Received:
    0
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Operations Manager
    Location:
    Anywhere and Everywhere.

    I don't quite think thats true in all honesty, I think diesel is a fair bit cheaper than coal on a per mile basis. Only reason I think this is that I deal with railway diesel everyday and know about coal prices and usages. Would have to sit down and work it out to be sure though. Of course it also depends on your coal quality/source/final processes.
     
  8. Stu in Torbay

    Stu in Torbay Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2005
    Messages:
    2,829
    Likes Received:
    42
    Occupation:
    GPS Navigation Engineer
    Location:
    Goodrington Bank, Paignton
    So, mini heat wave at the weekend. "London hotter that Ibiza" place your bets on where the first Steam Ban will be put in place!!
     
  9. david1984

    david1984 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2005
    Messages:
    12,910
    Likes Received:
    1,387
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Birmingham
    A good fire now might do the trick to dry out Bridgwater :p
     

Share This Page