Steam Dreams says farewell to DBS ?

Something not touched on yet is the question of the number of steam crews that WCRC have on their books. Will they have enough people available to cover the extra work? Or are we likely to see some "thinning out" in the steam tour market? I don't mean the loss of companies, but maybe a drop in the number of tours on offer.

 

A very good question given there are dates on the calendar already that WCRC have taken over tours from DBS on which they are already committed to running others. I'm sure they have these covered, but long term who knows ?

 

The steam tour market was already "thinned out" by DBS's constant inability to provide the resources, thinning out that nearly brought Steam Dreams to their knees.

I dont see why there has to be "exclusive one or the other " contracts in place, in fact I am not sure its even legal being anti competitive in nature.

And of course the steam tour market has been thinned out by the lack of motive power. Brittania, Cromwell, Tangmere, all with poor availability this year, and the late arrival of Braunton.

 

Could WCRC be looking to take on extra drivers for the work or train up some currently only passed on diesels to handle the extra work ?, I'd be surprised if they agreed to taking on more work if they didn't think they could resource it, they may not be a multimillion corporation like DBS, but they are certainly no cowboy outfit.

 

And the fact that they are not an enormous organisation may be the saving grace for mainline steam. If it forms a significant part of their business and if they don't end up with a monopoly.

Have to see how things go now.

 

Wayne Thompson drove Braunton on the westbound leg of the last weekend's Torbay Express. In fact I believe Newport, Barton Hill, Didcot, Eastleigh and Bescot men (and maybe others) have all worked the Torbay Express.

 

I didn't realise that Clan Line or Tornado were proping up the steam charter business! Having rostered both of them on exactly zero occasions, I don't know how we have survived!

 

I know there is a "challenge" with WCR and the A1, but I am not aware of anything similar with Clan Line. Truth is I have never asked! I will find out.

Can't do a 10am departure - it would be pitch black for the whole return trip. We have a 09:20 departure from B'Ham Snow Hill for this Saturday if that is doable?

 

Just curiosity,but what is the issue(if there is one?) with WCRC and Clan Line. I am aware that they have run it only once I think? Presumably the MNLPS could very well do with the income from a few non-VSOE trips and if they & WC can't work together that won't happen.

 

It's not only Steam Dreams that are turning away from DBS. Pathfinder are gradually turning to DRS for their railtours. <BJ>
07/10/2013 DRS 47s,
30/11/2013 DRS 47s,
14/12/2013 DBS 67s,
21/12/2013 DRS 37s.

 

No issue at all between WCRC and the MNLPS. It's just 35028 is tied to the VSOE work with a very detailed maintenance programme built round those booked dates, so she isn't as footloose as some locos like 70000, 34067 or 60163 which get here, there and everywhere picking up work from other locos becoming unavailable. But from something I read in one of the mags a month or two back, the MNLPS aren't doing too badly from the VSOE gig!

 

I am a very big fan of all of the Eastleigh steam and ex steam mainline drivers (I attended Rodney Tizzard's retirement party in Eastleigh many years ago) and think that whatever the outcome, they along with other DBS drivers will be totally gutted by recent events. As I have said before, Torbay Express trips are great but when the drivers realise the quality and variety of work that they have lost in the blink of an eye, the Torbay Express will be no adequate substitute for these great drivers and fireman from DBS.

Many will reflect that the very impressive Don Clarke retired at precisely the right time but what of the inspectors who love their steam work? Gareth (due to retire soon), Colin Kerswell, Geoff Ewans, etc who will now have a fraction of the work they would have expected in the years ahead, will be equally gutted.

Whatever way you look at it, there are a lot of dedicated mainline steam men who have been deprived of the work they love.

Nick

 

So who are you blaming then?
DBS?
WCRC?
Steam Dreams?
A1ST?

 

ASLEF?????????????????

 

From a couple of conversations i've overheard in the last couple of weeks at different preserved railways it seems the people are reluctant to book tickets on a charter that is using DBS as they seem to have no confidence in it running and maybe being cancelled the day before its due to run.

 

I am one of those. Of the four trips I had cancelled this year, two of them were to entertain friends and family at my expense and it was a real let-down for all concerned. It has made made me thnk very carefuly about bookings for next year, and I know I am not alone. Admitedly the dry spell didn't help either.