4464 Bittern to do 90mph on ECML - 29 June & 27 July 2013

Really? I know they don't often work on DBS-crewed charters, but I wasn't aware they were under any kind of exclusive arrangements. Just as you seldom see Clan Line worked by WCRC, but it can happen if/when it suits all parties.

 

I believe DBS have only used 1 loco that only has vacum brakes in the last 4/5 years and that was 61994 from Inverness to Kyle

 

Are any of us really surprised by today's news ? Why on earth couldn't the inevitable decision have been made a week ago ?

Absolute shambles !

 

Travelled across today to be sure of being at York for 11:00, so two days holiday, train fare and a night's accommodation wasted, thanks very much Network Rail. I won't be risking it again.

 

Don't expect much from network fail but worth a shot.

Sent to network rail on their online contact us section.

 

Think September might be a problem for the Bristol train. The booked set is the Torbay Express stock which is booked to work
The Exe Parrett on September 21st. The following weekend Pathfinder have a Scottish Landcruise so all their staff will be tied up with that. Looking at the long range weather forecast this dry weather looks to be continuing right through September.

If a redate happens then October at the earliest surely. Then will DBS have traincrew with the RHTT season starting??
With these trains now postponed twice, many many people have lost a lot of money on wasted advance fares, hotels etc and simply cannot afford to shell out on a new date. I would not be surprised to see these trains simply not run.

I find the decision of Network Rail totally disgraceful. Just what has changed since Tuesday weather wise?

I really do get the feeling that NR certainly want steam off the East Coast for good.

This must be a situation for the ORR to look at. The promoters are being crucified. The fire risk might not be so great if
NR maintained their assets. In particular manage the vegetation situation which seems to be out of control in places.

 

Of course, sorry, I was forgetting about the vacuum brake issue.

 

What gets me is that Pathfinder must have checked with Network Rail before telling ticket-holders and Railway Herald that the trains were going ahead as planned. They're not stupid. They wouldn't give affirmative answers without checking, especially after the summer we've just had. This isn't a situation like the Bristol - Weymouth train that had a diesel slapped on the front at the last moment, where the train formation was cleared with one area control but not with the other. This one is down to one region, ECML controlled from York. So who in NR told Pathfinder it was OK and who countermanded that at the very last moment? That is what the ORR and the railway press should be asking.

 

Regarding the weather forecast, dry and warm weather has been forecast all week on the East Coast and I do think that a much earlier decision to cancel could have been made. That said, if 46115 had not started line side fires this week, it is probable that the tours would have gone ahead as planned.

With no sign of a prolonged periods of wet weather, I fear that we are likely to get a string of cancellations throughout the UK (excluding Scotland where there is rain). September can be the classic time for an "Indian Summer" and that would be a disaster for mainline steam.

The trains to the South West on Sunday (Royal Duchy and Torbay Express) are at serious risk of being diesel assisted because there is no rain forecast.

As for the high speed A4 runs, I get that horrible feeling that they probably will never run as the organisers and disgruntled passengers will throw in the towel and say "enough is enough".

 

I would estimate they would have got confirmation either Friday 23rd or Tuesday 27th as that is the post stamp date on the envelope for the tickets, which arrived the following day. I know when booking the tour Pathfinders stated they wouldn't send the tickets out until the times had been confirmed by Network Rail.

Rob

 

Perhaps there was a late realisation at NR that to have a 90mph steam train arrive at York unassisted, followed half an hour later by a 75mph steam train hauled by a locomotive of the same type with enforced diesel assistance, would look suspiciously like discrimination against one TOC.

 

I feel very sorry for those booked on these two trains but I very much doubt anyone involved in their planning could have predicted the very dry spell we've experienced. Whatever way you look at it, given the exceptional conditions, these tours were always likely to be cancelled or postponed at the last minute. I doubt anybody involved in this decision is happy about it, and I'm sure an exceptional resolution will be found to match the exceptional circumstances.

 

Very unlikely !

 

The London set was The Royal Scot set on the previous trip and that is likely to be used by UK Railtours on the 14/9, 5/10 and 19/10.

 

Personnally I doubt September is practical, I know another operation in September was not progressed becasue DBS were reported not to be able to resource any more work.

I'm lucky, I booked hotels that I could cancel but really it is very understandable passengers are upset. I feel sorry for the 60019 team, they have kept 19 at York to run these tours, now what... It must be costing them a lot in lost of earnings.

Such as shame after the worderful buz created by the first trip, I feel very lucky to have actually been on that trip.

 

Just to set things on a more level playing field, or perhaps a farmers field ,..Over the last couple of days I have been driving due to work along the M62/A62/A1M/A1/M1 etc to Hull, Leeming, Catterick, Ripon, Northallerton and south to Doncaster etc . North, south and east of York and the area is tinder dry with thousands upon thousands of acres of barley, wheat, rape and other crops waiting to be harvested. The only green areas I have noticed are hedgerows and maize fields and they are not looking their best in some areas.

Everywhere I drove off the M and A roads there are tractors shifting what they managed to harvest so far, working at all hours of day to get in what they have grown before the weather takes a downward turn. The last thing mainline steam needs is to be blamed for torching a lump of the best harvest East Yorks has had in donkeys years.

I would suggest the 90MPH derogation is extended to the end of the year, weather permitting....

 

Not if it was drawn to their attention....

 

If it happens after mid September, hopefully they give the return to the cross earlier timings, I doubt many would want to go down Stoke Bank in the dark.

 

In addition to availability of stock and crews, 60019 will not be available 26 October–8 November 2013 - the Autumn Great Gathering.