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Cath Ex to Cambridge, Ely and Norwich 23/9/18

Discussion in 'What's Going On' started by Paul42, Sep 16, 2018.

  1. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    Out http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U62722/2018/09/23/advanced

    Return http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U62725/2018/09/23/advanced

    According to the SD website it will now be hauled by Nr 9.
     
  2. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Cheers @Paul42 might have to pop into work just for Elevenses next Sunday!
     
  3. IamDaniel

    IamDaniel Member

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    I understand this going to be load 11 (not sure if that includes the POB or not though) without a diesel for those interested.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  4. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    That's what I heard re the diesel so I will be on it. 60009 - what's not to like.
     
  5. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    60009 requires a washout after its trip to Newcastle last weekend so won't be appearing tomorrow, according to a post on their Facebook page earlier.

    "Number 9 will be unable to work Sunday's trip to Norwich due to a minor fault caused in part by the water used on last weekend's trip to Newcastle and the need for a boiler washout."
     
  6. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Caped? Or some sort of Modern Traction?
     
  7. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    So it's been back at base for several days without having had a washout and presumably the FTR exam triggered the realisation that there was a problem that needed a washout and attention to another problem. I suppose that there is something inevitable in this news given that the loco has been overworked recently - never a wise plan.

    I guess that there is little to do given that I am on my way to KGX. So, with travel, another £150+ down the drain. :rolleyes:
     
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  8. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    There’s some good pubs in Norwich. Go drown your sorrows. :)
     
  9. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

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    We all know machines can fail unexpectedly but it is the high cost / fragile confidence ratio that threatens to undermine the future of this type of trip. It wouldn't be quite so bad if, as a customer, you knew you would be reccompensed in the event of "no steam" but all the "terms" are stacked in favour of protecting the businesses from any financial losses. Same with the sugar loaf fiasco too.
     
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  10. thegrimeater

    thegrimeater Member

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    Heard it's a 47/33 combo. Please can someone post which is leading as may still go and see it if the 33 is. Thanks
     
  11. garth manor

    garth manor Well-Known Member

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    Sink a few in the Black Cat, always worth the trek.
     
  12. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    At KGX and not travelling, of course. I am told thst the problem is a leaking tube plate discovered at the FTR exam. Given the intensive programme of work undertaken by UoSA an issue like this is almost inevitable when there is just not the gap between trips to have a long hard look at the loco check water treatment levels, wash out the boiler etc etc. It's a lottery.

    Nothing Steam Dreams can do as these things happen. But the general question to ask perhaps is whether all loco owners should be far more careful over how available they make their locos. Two out of two 'no shows' today.

    By the way, a Cl33 is on the rear today although I don't know or care whether it's gong to Norwich with the Cl47 up front.
     
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  13. jackshepherd

    jackshepherd Member

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    Not a good day for this tour, due to thameslink train crew problem at Stevenage, the tour has sat outside the station since 1040, no movement as of yet.

    Edit: tour on the move again 87L
     
  14. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

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    Glad I went to the SVR yesterday despite the timekeeping and didn't risk either of the main lune steam trips. No. 9 has had a very long run and so I suppose its no big surprise but I really feel for you Al. Rotten luck.
     
  15. 26D_M

    26D_M Part of the furniture

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    The A4 is under Rileys care which operates the most diligent of maintenance regimes out there, as the availability record of the fleet bears admirable testament to. What grounds have you to say it is being overworked and, by implication, missing PPM?
     
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  16. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    Overworked, rubbish you seem to forget that there are other locos out there that work for a full week. It appears that the problem was discovered at the FTR, are you therefore suggesting that one should have been done as soon as the previous trip was completed.
    Support crews do have other lives to lead and cannot be available 7 days a week.
    It's almost as if you have an issue with No 9....
     
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  17. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    We don't often agree but on this occasion we do.
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2018
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  18. Spamcan81

    Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Little digs recently from the same poster regarding 60009 and 60163. The talk of overwork is rubbish IMO, as is the inference that the operating team have not exercised due diligence over washouts etc.
     
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  19. damianrhysmoore

    damianrhysmoore Well-Known Member

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    I'm in Norwich for the weekend and had thought to go and watch this come through Wymondham. What a shame the A4 isn't fit to run. I don't know enough about maintenance regimes to know whether this was just bad luck or whatever but I know I'd be bitterly disappointed and probably having a good old moan if I'd paid for it, deserved or not.
     
  20. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    It's all a matter of judgement isn't it? Making a decision about when a loco is or is not going to be available is definitely not a call that I would like to make - even if I had the skills to do so. And it's not a dig about No 9 either as I booked on the Norwich trip because it was No 9, unlike those who are making the comments on my post.

    I think that for one steam loco to be on five different charters so far this month is a big ask. Do the maths. Each charter has a two day lead in to the trip (light up etc) to include the FTR plus the trip itself. So that's 15 days in the space of 20 days plus the day to get No 9 back from Newcastle = 16. Ask yourself how much time the support and engineering team really had over this period to give the loco the care and attention that they would wish. Contrary to what may seem the case to some I do think carefully before I express a view about a set of circumstances. These are not 'digs'; they are sympathetic observations about the pressure that support teams put themselves under so as not to disappoint the public when perhaps they should think far more of themselves and their loco.

    I was told at KGX and Facebook also suggests that today's problem was in part due to the water used on the Newcastle trip. Well whoever has made that judgement clearly knows how that can be so. At least that warning is now out there for other locos visiting the north east. Either way, today was a sad situation and I hope No 9 is back in action again after a rest.
     

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