WCRC Licence Suspended

I don't remember any other TOC being banned from the network after a SPAD. One wonders, based on the last spat between WCR and NR if there have been more inflammatory WCR emails landing in the inboxes of NR.

 

Exactly my thought, this could be a first step towards easing steam off the mainline altogether. I hope not, but I do agree with Ralph, it'd be wise not to speculate too much at this stage. Once Network Rail have made their official announcement though, I don't see why it shouldn't be an open discussion, provided the usual legal rules are followed.

 

True, and I think that was the concern of some when SD moved away from them. I guess they could pick up some of the future tours if necessary though could they ?

 

I really do hope that the safety concerns can be addressed. Presumably because a steam locomotive is essentially a mechanical device, there is the ability to override the automatic brake application and carry on? I would have thought a pre-requisite of the system being installed (and a loco to run mainline) would be that it operated in the same way as a regular train - eg. it has to come to a full stop before being reset ?

 

It was a SPAD. SPADS have, and continue to occur with other motive power, even those fitted with all the modern safety systems. It was an operational issue, not a motive power issue.

EDIT, It is true tho, looking at the sequence of events, that this operational incident could well have had very serious consequences indeed. That is also true tho of most of the RAIB investigations, which at the end of the day, is why they are there..

 

You could be right there, it may simply not be possible for the system to work in the same way as it does on modern stock, but we're speculating a bit here so I think I'll wait until the NR statement before making any further posts.

 

True, never said it was a motive power issue. However, it all depends on how big an issue it becomes over the next couple of weeks, and based upon last summer's little escapade, I'm not holding out for a happy ending for this one. An excuse for making it harder for steam to operate on the network is now available.

 

Whilst I will not speculate on this specific case of the SPAD as nothing is official yet and signalling procedure way outside any expertise I have.

However it is worth bearing in mind that in addition to the ban last year for the fire issue and subsequent response/spat there is also the case at Winchfield which concluded that the maintenance arrangements for Tangmere 'were not in accordance with the principles of WCRC’s safety management system' and that the 'on-train data recorder fitted to Tangmere did not record the details of the locomotive’s movements' on the day.

I wonder whether multiple cases over a certain period automatically lead to review and potential action.

 

The very same thought occurred to me, "jeez I hope they had the OTDR working" when I saw the RAIB report, then I assumed they had, as the sequence of events seemed pretty complete so had a source somewhere. I could well be wrong of course.

 

This is the third major thing in, what, 2 years? (Tangmere's con-rod, York area fire precautions, now this.) I gather there have been various smaller things, too, that haven't had such wide discussion. AIUI, it's not just the incidents themselves, but the questions they've raised about WCRC's procedures and safety management. Remember the comments in the RAIB report into Tangmere's breakdown about WCRC inspecting their own loco? And as you hint, WCRC are not exactly known for their diplomatic, conciliatory approach. This time, though, it's not just steam that's affected, but the whole of WCRC's business. Hopefully, that will provoke a constructive response...

I sincerely hope that Bulleid Pacific is wrong in his pessimistic view. There's no reason why steam should be prevented from running on the mainline, but it can't be taken for granted, and it must "fit in" with regular modern operations.

 

Rest assured, I hope I'm wrong, too...

 

How many other SPADs have occured because the crew members have done something with the safety equipment making it inoperable?

If it was merely a simple SPAD then I doubt the RAIB would be involved to the level they are, and that this supposed ban would even be getting talked of. Sadly though this isn't the case, and it would seem only through luck more than anything that nothing more came of this.

 

It seems to me that the SPAD is the straw that broke the camel's back and NR were presented with all they needed to give notice of a ban.

 

For the sake of mainline steam, let's just hope that the folk at Carnforth have learnt from their previous dealings with Network Rail, don't dig their heels in, but play ball and quickly find a solution in the professional manner that will be required.

 

Its official:
http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/statement-west-coast-railways-suspension-notice

 

I've just read the report and I'm frankly astounded......Seems they take a bit of a light view to operation and NR did the right thing.

 

Kidsgrove 73, probably others. Southall may also be pertinent as it was a failure of an operator to maintain the AWS equipment.

 

Network Rail write, "You are aware that Network Rail has had concerns about WCR’s performance of its Safety Obligations for some time and recent events lead Network Rail to believe that the operations of WCR are a threat to the safe operation of the railway. Specifically:

WCR’s senior management response to the recent SPAD at SN45. This ranked as the most
serious SPAD that has taken place this year when the industry risk ranking methodology was
applied;

The response by the senior management of WCR to the issues raised in the meeting of 30
March 2015, where WCR demonstrated that its controls, communication and commitment
following the recent SPAD were inadequate;

Network Rail also has serious concerns about the fact that WCR unilaterally suspended the
response to Network Rail’s review of WCR’s Safety Management System undertaken in January
2015. The review raised some serious and significant issues and there was no communication with
Network Rail to explain that the response was being suspended"

I presume that WCRC responded to the incident in their usual arrogant and head in the sand manner with the inevitable result. The last point NR make is astonishing.

 

So, if WCR, cooperate with the actions that need to be addressed, the ban will be lifted, as early as the middle of, May.