Reading the latest issue of Rail (741, page 62) it states that 47798 "has not been seen on the mainline since its controversial use by WCR".
What was this controversial use?
EWS donated it to the NRM, West Coast used it on charter work. They are rivals in charter market. EWS cheesed off about that.
EWS/DB could have worked around this by leasing the 47 to the museum so they could dictate terms.
A quick search seems to indicate that both take place, based on a report published by the NRM itself.Items are claimed by the NRM not donated to them!
Exactly why they should have loaned it to the museum rather than donating itIt should be considered that once something is transferred to the museum it becomes their asset - DBS have no real grounds to complain! I can see how it might be galling for them mind!
Although were WCRC not using it for free?
Even if they were, surely the argument would still stand because they would be making money from the use of it?
There wasn't an issue in that the loco was being used on railtours it was that it was being used on almost every railtour, I remember seeing it come through Wigan around once a week either on a tour or on it's way to/from Carnforth before or after a tour.
DB could have the same issue with 58050 or 60100 which are to join the national collection, what if they hired them out to a freight operator? Heck we've seen what EWS did with the 60s to keep them out of their competitors hands, at least DB are trying to put some back in service (whilst keeping them out of everyone's grasp).
While I have sod all interest in buses I know from a friend who is a big bus preservationist that when First sold a load of their old buses they stipulated that if it was used for anything other than preservation runs and the odd charter it was immediately defaulted back to First ownership, I believe Arriva do or did something similar.
Just imagine if EWS did that, all those 37s which are flying out of preservation and back into service or the 56s which some shrewd scrap merchant hung on to for a demand in decent locos...
Phil
The NRM is a public body, so you could say it is our business.
Have to say I doubt the clause that First/Arriva put in the sale of their busses is legally enforceable. Once sold, it is the new owners property, end of story. Had First/Arriva leased the busses then fair enough, but when they dispose of them, they generally sell them.