Spring/Summer/Autumn 2018 CMEs

I'm generally on your side in this but I think the weather situation is not fluid. The steam restrictions have been on for two weeks now, ground conditions are baked dry in the Dales, a few downpours will just run off. Unless the weather breaks definitively and we get a couple of weeks of steady rain, I don't see the situation changing any time soon up here.

Another Peter

 

I tend to agree about being wound up but there is a danger of making the assumption everyone else thinks the same way. As far as I'm concerned it seems inescapable that the lack of advance detail on the website or social media posts is an example of being somewhat economical with the truth. Presumably, like you, RTC thinks that once people have bought their ticket they will put up and shut up, make the best of the inferior situation they are presented with on the day even though its been prevailing for some time prior. Perhaps there is simply a generational difference in our expectations over the way customers ought to be dealt with.
As regards the 50 years on, it is indeed truly remarkable that so many steam workings are available on the mainline. However, like it or not, that fact is largely unappreciated by most of today's customers so hoping they cut providers some slack accordingly, if quality fails to meet expecations, may well prove forlorn.

 

Well said Peter. Most of our generation would concur with that.

 

Agreed.

 

Whilst there is a lot in what you say I am only interested in pure steam so I am glad I didn't book on this or on anything else before the end of July. The autumn promises some good trips

 

Shap area due for some heavy rain friday

 

Timings are now in the system for the Cumbrian Mountain Express on the 21st

Outward http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55123/2018/07/21/advanced

Return http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U55124/2018/07/21/advanced

 

Whilst I totally understand your beliefs it surely cannot escape your thinking that your enduring delight is almost entitely predicated on there being passengers in sufficient number to stump up the not inconsiderable, and rising, fares. These trains are not the enthusiast jollies they once were and are an almost totally commercialised version of what went before. If a virtue is made of particular features to attract custom it seems wrong to me if the promoters are slow to advise when said features cannot be provided, albeit for reasons out of their control. If this in turn causes adverse customer reaction or loss of confidence that is bad for business and ultimately our "time warp" nostalgic pleasures. Best avoided, I'd say.

 

It rained solid in Kendal for about two hours today but you wouldn’t even know it had now so a long way off a possible lift in the steam ban sadly.

 

OK

 

Steam off at Hellifield on Saturday?
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K99114/2018/07/14/advanced

 

Out of interest, @26D_M, how many charters do you travel on a year?

 

Now, didn't you agree to ignore me Mr Puddicombe because it gets you in a bit of a tizz? Quite apart from that being, most obviously, none of your business.
Please do feel free, however, to make a valid contribution to the debate on whether, or not, RTC should be clearer to actual and potential customers about the probable effects of the fire risk management strategy on upcoming charters.
..... but I can see we might have some views in common, who'd o' thought??
https://twitter.com/Thatcargeek/status/1013094576691777538?s=09

 

I noticed earlier in the thread that RTC stated that steam would do the S&C on the return leg with a can in behind but no path showing yet on RTT for a move to Carlisle from Carnforth via Hellifield oddly !

 

Shots Fired!!!!!

 

.

 

Now on rtt
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O20143/2018/07/14/advanced

 

A diesel behind the Kettle then ???

 

Thanks John .

 

That's what seems to be the norm at the moment .