Jacobite 2024

I'm sorry to see the 3 LNER classes not included on the approvals since they are the historically appropriate ones. But I guess that as they are unlikely to run on the line anytime soon so it removes the need for gauging etc to be carried out before agreeing the approval.

 

They’ve only removed the B1. It doesn’t actually show the exhaustive list of what is on there

 

Black 5s were allocated to Fort William and Eastfield from the early 50s but the Mallaig road was the preserve of 2-6-0s. The turntable at Mallaig was too small for a 5 but a B1 would just fit with some difficulty.

 

Imagine if that turntable had survived in Mallaig….The daily chasing both ways that would have been done by photters would have racked up the miles!

Although as you say not much good for a 5

 

The intention was to put a turntable in for the Jacobite but it didn’t happen and the acquired TT was sold. If you ask the crews they will tell you they don’t want it as turning the engine would eat into their lunch break and the one at Fort William is in an awkward position on a tightly curved siding off Fort William Junction.
On the charters and three of years ago we did have two engines facing east when the FW table was out of action.

 

That assumes that the economic and safety regulatory functions are fully joined, rather than on separate tracks.


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The extension is to the agreement between WCRC and NR, not ORR.

ORR may not be totally happy about the present messy mix of CDL coaches with passengers and non-CDL coaches presumably without passengers, but has allowed it to continue for this season, so may still do so for subsequent seasons. West Coast have deemed it worth running this year, depite the apparently poor economics. It remaims to be seen whether they will continue in the same way next year or run a train that continues to (just) satisfy ORR while providing more seats.

 

Go to 32 miutes.

 

Interesting. I don’t blame WCR for using MK1s in the consist whilst they can. It’s better than having a diesel
On the back that’s for certain. Although perhaps adding an other MK2 in and putting a diesel on, vice the 2 MK1s would be an option.

But either way it sounds like the option for an exemption is there if done properly

 

Everyone can have a view although I am not sure what the SPAD had to do with CDL.
All a bit tabloid journalism to me, and I thought the court case proved the ORR had the right to do what they did, not Harris' interpretation of it.

 

A few clips from last weeks trip to the Highlands

Video Available Here

 

It stands a very good chance that once the final expiry date of the current CDL exemptions for Mark 1 carriages has passed, and the current operators have completed their agreed fitment plan, that no further exemptions will be granted by the ORR other than those applying to 25MPH heritage operations (e.g. Grosmont-Whitby). It would not surprise me if all non CDL-fitted Mark 1s were banned from use in revenue-earning train sets on the main line network, whether or not they were carrying passengers. I fully expect the CDL requirement to be extended to support coaches in the not too distant future.

 

The issue with support coaches however is that they would have to have independent release for water stops, etc that aren’t in platforms. Which then becomes a minefield of SDO and all sorts.

 

That green signals interview is a bit odd. Nigel trying to insinuate that West Coast are breaking the rules running MK1s as support vehicles and even Ian shuts him down and then he says it again. West coast are not breaking any rules running MK1s in the consist of the Jacobite or any other train it runs.

He then mentions Wootton Bassett that has absolutely nothing to do with the CDL point and Ian says West Coast improved after that.
Nigel then goes on to say the ORR look weak...so what axe is he trying to grind here?

Nigel clearly hates WCR and you can tell green signals is biased after the LSL interview where it was insinuated that only LSL do major coach work and the gushing afterwards.
(I have nothing against LSL but heavy coach repairs didn't start with them)

I quite like the other chap (I forget his name) but I agree, it feels like sensationalism at its finest when he rounds on West Coast almost every episode.

 

Support coaches are staff vehicles and for the purposes of train operations the support crew are staff. ( And have to abide by the National Network Rulebook.)

Cheers, Neil

 

Never did I say otherwise. I just said it would be hard to CDL them and find a way of opening just the Sup Coach without SDO.

 

Here’s ORR’s letter confirming their approval of the NR/WC agreement:
https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/defaul...22-supplemental-agreement-decision-letter.pdf

It includes “LSL queried whether The Jacobite was compliant with Railway Safety Regulation 99 (RSR99), which relates to the locking of carriage doors. LSL wanted to confirm that The Jacobite’s passenger-carrying vehicle doors can be locked in a closed position from a single location (central door locking), and that the vehicles that do not have this central door locking cannot be accessed by passengers.

As these were immediate safety concerns, Network Rail asked The Jacobite to alter the formation of its passenger vehicles to ensure compliance with RSR99, thereby resolving the issue. ORR Rail Safety colleagues have inspected the vehicles and confirmed that they are compliant.”

 

Thank you for that important additional information.

 

Nigel Harris has been anti WCR for ages. He’s one of a number of railway journalists who took umbrage that WCR did not and do not feed them with news.
Mr Harris was Editor/ Managing Editor of Steam Railway mag for many years.

I’m looking forward to reading how Trackside and Steam Railway report on the NR Charter Train Conference last week.
Representatives of WCR observed having lovely chats with ORR over tea and biscuits at every break. Witnessed by Messrs Brodrick and Pearce.

The other chap on Green Signals is Richard Bowker. Richard had a decent railway management career.