GCR/GCRN Question.

Phoenix · 4 Feb 2009

Just a thought but if the GCR achieve their goal of bridging the loughborough gap and Connect to the GCRN what would happen as both are two completely different lines with their own policies.
Like the GCR keeps it to a tight order regarding liveries and the ages (so new stuff can't go there apparently).

I mean considering the fleet that the GCRN keeps and it's stock a see there being some major changes being made but anyway just wanted to know what you think or know would or will happen?

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AlexS · 4 Feb 2009

I must have been dreaming the DRS 37 that worked last year.

And also the BR blue and large logo 33 and 37 sat around the place.

And the EWS liveried mail vans (although they'll change soon enough).

Phoenix · 4 Feb 2009

AlexS said:
I must have been dreaming the DRS 37 that worked last year.

And also the BR blue and large logo 33 and 37 sat around the place.

And the EWS liveried mail vans (although they'll change soon enough).

Along with the 37 and BR blue is still quite old so could you answer the question for me?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Just added for continuity.

AlexS · 4 Feb 2009

The answer I think is that nobody knows yet!

Phoenix · 4 Feb 2009

AlexS said:
The answer I think is that nobody knows yet!

Ill keep fishing.

P156KWJ · 5 Feb 2009

basically, there is apparently a bit of controversty between the two (won't go in to detail), but it's not as simple as building a bridge. Mostly money. Bearing in mind that the 'gap' crosses the Midland Main Line, the two parties would be forking out god knows how much to Network Rail and East Midlands trains for engineering and lost revenue, as they would ahve to close the line for a little while (and it's a principal route in to the capital and the North).

EE Type 3 · 5 Feb 2009

Sulzer25 said:
basically, there is apparently a bit of controversty between the two (won't go in to detail), but it's not as simple as building a bridge. Mostly money. Bearing in mind that the 'gap' crosses the Midland Main Line, the two parties would be forking out god knows how much to Network Rail and East Midlands trains for engineering and lost revenue, as they would ahve to close the line for a little while (and it's a principal route in to the capital and the North).

Surely East Midlands Train's plan could come into force then? Running trains up the GCRN to Ruddington, for a short hop by bus to Nottingham. Would be possible, but ISTR track and signalling would need to be upgraded.

Phoenix · 6 Feb 2009

EE Type 3 said:
Surely East Midlands Train's plan could come into force then? Running trains up the GCRN to Ruddington, for a short hop by bus to Nottingham. Would be possible, but ISTR track and signalling would need to be upgraded.

And that Viaduct I know it holds loco's and they can run about 10 MPH but I doubt any mainline company would take the risk.
To be fair though if they eventually bridsge the gap it would be quite a decent line overall much much distance and hopefully a good fast linespeed overall.

P156KWJ · 6 Feb 2009

EE Type 3 said:
Surely East Midlands Train's plan could come into force then? Running trains up the GCRN to Ruddington, for a short hop by bus to Nottingham. Would be possible, but ISTR track and signalling would need to be upgraded.

HAHAHA!!! I like your thinking

well, it is certified for mainline traffic as far as Rushcliffe Halt sidings (where GBRf turn back gypsum traffic. Well, used to until the other week), and it would require reversal at 50 steps bridge Jn, and a HST can't fit in to the reversal loop. Then the current temporary plaform can acommodate 1 loco and 3 coaches until the new one is finished (10 coaches IIRC), then a walk in to the village and 25 min bus ride to Nottingham would be quite a trek

D306 · 6 Feb 2009

it'll do them good to do some exercise

EE Type 3 · 6 Feb 2009

Sulzer25 said:
HAHAHA!!! I like your thinking

well, it is certified for mainline traffic as far as Rushcliffe Halt sidings (where GBRf turn back gypsum traffic. Well, used to until the other week), and it would require reversal at 50 steps bridge Jn, and a HST can't fit in to the reversal loop. Then the current temporary plaform can acommodate 1 loco and 3 coaches until the new one is finished (10 coaches IIRC), then a walk in to the village and 25 min bus ride to Nottingham would be quite a trek

I can recall an article in a magazine a while back that they were planning to put a temporary platform at 50 Steps Junction, for a bus onwards, this was during engineering work, but of course it would cost too much and Network Rail didn't like the idea that much, so it never went through.

P156KWJ · 6 Feb 2009

EE Type 3 said:
I can recall an article in a magazine a while back that they were planning to put a temporary platform at 50 Steps Junction, for a bus onwards, this was during engineering work, but of course it would cost too much and Network Rail didn't like the idea that much, so it never went through.

hmmm, the nearest road to 50 steps bridge is a bit of a walk, on one side there's a housing estate with a maze of paths and little roads, and on the other side, it's quite literally the middle of the sticks really!

bunnahabhain · 9 Feb 2009

Basically, there is a lot of work to go till the gap is bridged; when it is done, then I would expect that the professionals will take over from the people who play trains.

Phoenix · 10 Feb 2009

Jamie said:
Basically, there is a lot of work to go till the gap is bridged; when it is done, then I would expect that the professionals will take over from the people who play trains.

So basically the GCRN will have to seel all it's diesels in that case

P156KWJ · 10 Feb 2009

Jamie said:
Basically, there is a lot of work to go till the gap is bridged; when it is done, then I would expect that the professionals will take over from the people who play trains.

don't mean to be funny, but what are you implying there? Unfortunately the board we have on the North bit do not seem to relaise we have to move out of Rushcliffe Halt services every Sunday during the summer. The majority of people there are all decent, hard-working individuals. I don't slag anyone at GCR off, so if you are saying that we all "play trains" up here, shows how childish you are.

And Phoenix, no. We have a very wide range of interesting diesels at the North end. When we have our full fleet, it's 2x 08s, 3x 20s, a 25, 37, 2x 47s, 56, 73, 108 and 117.

:mad:

Phoenix · 10 Feb 2009

Sulzer25 said:
don't mean to be funny, but what are you implying there? Unfortunately the board we have on the North bit do not seem to relaise we have to move out of Rushcliffe Halt services every Sunday during the summer. The majority of people there are all decent, hard-working individuals. I don't slag anyone at GCR off, so if you are saying that we all "play trains" up here, shows how childish you are.

And Phoenix, no. We have a very wide range of interesting diesels at the North end. When we have our full fleet, it's 2x 08s, 3x 20s, a 25, 37, 2x 47s, 56, 73, 108 and 117.

:mad:

Hey you should know I know your fleet a plugged my photo's from the gala to death (some people eh lol)
I honestly love the GCRN I had a great time and would rather see it in GCRN ownership and the playing trains statement.
Better than guards purposly walking infront your shots like on the GCR.
Sorry but it's getting annoying.

P156KWJ · 10 Feb 2009

Phoenix said:
Hey you should know I know your fleet a plugged my photo's from the gala to death (some people eh lol)
I honestly love the GCRN I had a great time and would rather see it in GCRN ownership and the playing trains statement.
Better than guards purposly walking infront your shots like on the GCR.
Sorry but it's getting annoying.

next diesel gala is in May if you are intending on going

, might take one of the days off from working there seeing as I often work my ar$e off there on the train and enjoy the thrash

Phoenix · 10 Feb 2009

Sulzer25 said:
next diesel gala is in May if you are intending on going , might take one of the days off from working there seeing as I often work my ar$e off there on the train and enjoy the thrash

Yeah most likely Ill be there.
Was good going behind the grid and the pair of 20's.
What livery is the FL spoon to be in soon?

87015 · 10 Feb 2009

Sulzer25 said:
next diesel gala is in May if you are intending on going , might take one of the days off from working there seeing as I often work my ar$e off there on the train and enjoy the thrash

Any standard running turns this year or just galas? The May date is a bit of a nightmare with stuff going on every weekend around there something will have to give... But 25279+56097 puts you pretty high up the list of priorities

bunnahabhain · 10 Feb 2009

Sulzer25 said:
don't mean to be funny, but what are you implying there? Unfortunately the board we have on the North bit do not seem to relaise we have to move out of Rushcliffe Halt services every Sunday during the summer. The majority of people there are all decent, hard-working individuals. I don't slag anyone at GCR off, so if you are saying that we all "play trains" up here, shows how childish you are.

And Phoenix, no. We have a very wide range of interesting diesels at the North end. When we have our full fleet, it's 2x 08s, 3x 20s, a 25, 37, 2x 47s, 56, 73, 108 and 117.

:mad:

I'm not slagging you off, but after sitting in a pub talking to two people who regularly volunteer up north, and hearing words like "We don't care about the timetable, it doesn't matter, we only run one train", "Sometimes we don't have a Duty Traffic Manager, then we just do what we want, we don't even obey the rules" and "We don't let people work unless they have a tie". I think I reserve the right to say whatever I like about them.

P156KWJ · 11 Feb 2009

Phoenix said:
Yeah most likely Ill be there.
Was good going behind the grid and the pair of 20's.
What livery is the FL spoon to be in soon?

The FL 47 (292) is currently on shed being painted in to BR Large logo. Rather funny last week, before the undercoat was applied when it was sanded you could see the original BR arrows and even more amazing the British Railways crest that were originally there!
And yes, 20154 is quite a beast

87015 said:
Any standard running turns this year or just galas? The May date is a bit of a nightmare with stuff going on every weekend around there something will have to give... But 25279+56097 puts you pretty high up the list of priorities

Yeah, though mostly the standard opening days seem to be booked for kettles, but we usually have a diesel one once every month or so. Check www.gcrn.co.uk when they ahve the proper timetable confirmed for this year

Phoenix · 11 Feb 2009

Sulzer25 said:
The FL 47 (292) is currently on shed being painted in to BR Large logo. Rather funny last week, before the undercoat was applied when it was sanded you could see the original BR arrows and even more amazing the British Railways crest that were originally there!

As they say some things come back to Haunt us and BR logo's included.

Muppet56097 · 12 Feb 2009

Phoenix said:
And that Viaduct I know it holds loco's and they can run about 10 MPH but I doubt any mainline company would take the risk.
To be fair though if they eventually bridsge the gap it would be quite a decent line overall much much distance and hopefully a good fast linespeed overall.

The viaduct is perfectly serviceable. There is some debate whether a checkrail should be added. As for "doubt any mainline company would take the risk" - have you considered the fact that Gypsum trains, track machines and other vehicles travel over that viaduct on a regular basis? If it is good enough for a loaded freight train, I think it could just about manage to hold an HST.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Jamie said:
Basically, there is a lot of work to go till the gap is bridged; when it is done, then I would expect that the professionals will take over from the people who play trains.

As a mere "train player" at the GCRN, that made me laugh. Not worth dignifying with a response though!

Phoenix · 13 Feb 2009

Muppet56097 said:
The viaduct is perfectly serviceable. There is some debate whether a checkrail should be added. As for "doubt any mainline company would take the risk" - have you considered the fact that Gypsum trains, track machines and other vehicles travel over that viaduct on a regular basis? If it is good enough for a loaded freight train, I think it could just about manage to hold an HST.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

As a mere "train player" at the GCRN, that made me laugh. Not worth dignifying with a response though!

You got me that was basically my opinion and hardly any sleep and I should remeber the Gypsum cheers for pointing my dumbness out to me lol.

AlexS · 13 Feb 2009

Muppet56097 said:
As a mere "train player" at the GCRN, that made me laugh. Not worth dignifying with a response though!

Not to cast such a general aspersion as others on the staff at Ruddington, but having met several guards including the ones responsible for training new staff, or so they say, they worry me greatly and I told them so.

Another comment from the same pair that Jamie quoted was 'I'd never pass a medical, but it doesn't matter because I haven't had one'.

That from a supposedly safety critical member of staff that helps train new bods!!

Another one was 'the first train never runs on time but it doesn't matter because we don't need passengers, the gypsum contract keeps us happy'.

Not very professional, at least from those particular representatives of the railway.

Phoenix · 13 Feb 2009

AlexS said:
Not to cast such a general aspersion as others on the staff at Ruddington, but having met several guards including the ones responsible for training new staff, or so they say, they worry me greatly and I told them so.

Another comment from the same pair that Jamie quoted was 'I'd never pass a medical, but it doesn't matter because I haven't had one'.

That from a supposedly safety critical member of staff that helps train new bods!!

Another one was 'the first train never runs on time but it doesn't matter because we don't need passengers, the gypsum contract keeps us happy'.

Not very professional, at least from those particular representatives of the railway.

To be honest I would agree some professionalism is needed in these sorts of matters but when it comes to things like medicals I honestly don't think it matters.

For example for my first few months volunteering I couldnt lift a buckeye but the chaps I worked with could and by the time I was fit and able to one member of team couldn't so I would do it when it was needed to be done.
Basically if we screened every volunteer nearly every old person or middle aged person wouldn't pass I even bet at your place some wouldn't pass.

To be fair in this whole debate I won';t take sides cause both railways have their good and bad parts such as.

GCRN = they defiantly know how to use their diesels and have a wide variety of stuff to do.
But sadly it seems at times like a bit of a mish mash operation but seen as though their in their early stages I will grant them that.
But seriously they need to buck up and get everything squeeky clean if they want to attract more visitors.
As for their reliability on Gypsum Traffic well this hasn't run this week and that industry is current beginning to fail so they can't count on that for long.

GCR = Now a very well kept periodically correct line that attracts many many visitors.
The disadvantage is they seem to just not like diesel really and it's pretty pathetic that to do line side photography you have to buy a GCR branded HI-viz when most already own one and finally I'm beginning to get fed up at qourn that the majority of the guards there hide in their little room the whole time until a train comes and just walk in front of photos.

BJMorley · 13 Feb 2009

Jamie said:
I'm not slagging you off, but after sitting in a pub talking to two people who regularly volunteer up north, and hearing words like "We don't care about the timetable, it doesn't matter, we only run one train", "Sometimes we don't have a Duty Traffic Manager, then we just do what we want, we don't even obey the rules" and "We don't let people work unless they have a tie". I think I reserve the right to say whatever I like about them.

Strange, last time I looked GCRN abided by all rules. If not, they would of failed it's HMRI & H&SE inspections long ago. And for the "Playing Trains" comment, you can't believe how much hard work has been put into running the trains in the first place!!
Maybe it's not as good as GCR(L), but at least we've got this far and made a damn good job of it!!
I don't wear a tie when I work. I wear normal clothes, like most of the volounteers.
If you have that attitude to us, don't come to our site. Simple/
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The Gypsum trains have been cancelled, as it's cheaper to send the items by Road than it is rail, so for the time being, it's stopped.

bunnahabhain · 13 Feb 2009

Phoenix said:
To be honest I would agree some professionalism is needed in these sorts of matters but when it comes to things like medicals I honestly don't think it matters.

Actually it's a legal requirement if you are safety critical, this includes Duty Traffic Managers ("Control"), Guards, Drivers and Signalmen. So it does matter.

Phoenix said:
Basically if we screened every volunteer nearly every old person or middle aged person wouldn't pass I even bet at your place some wouldn't pass.

I know of at least two Guards over the age of 70 who are fit and able, one of whom is our Senior Guard and can swing a buckeye with the best of us.

Phoenix said:
GCR = The disadvantage is they seem to just not like diesel really and it's pretty pathetic that to do line side photography you have to buy a GCR branded HI-viz when most already own one and finally I'm beginning to get fed up at qourn that the majority of the guards there hide in their little room the whole time until a train comes and just walk in front of photos.

That's a pretty daft statement to make when you consider the following

i - We have added an additional Diesel running event to the lineup.
ii - Diesel services during the winter timetable.
iii - We bring in a guest diesel each year.

If you think we're so "anti-diesel", answer me this, what makes Ruddington so "pro-diesel". The answer is simple, they have had an incredibly low availability with steam locomotives for the past two or three years.

Finally, a Guard is in charge of his train, a Guard does not work on the platform. As a member of Quorn station staff as well, we don't hide in the booking office at all, and it seems fairly obvious to ensure that platform staff are on the platform when trains are around, does it not. If you'd like me to evacuate the platform for you tomorrow I'll be more than willing, after all every single platform is empty whenever a train arrives. :roll:

87015 · 13 Feb 2009

Phoenix said:
The disadvantage is they seem to just not like diesel really

Strange. A line that has a regular diesel turn is branded as anti-diesel. I think not. Much more diesel running than GCR(N) for starters!!

I've been to GCR(N) twice and the Loughboro end many times.

I think the GCRN has cracking potential and really hope it continues to develop, whereas the GCR itself is pretty 'mature' and does seem to have 'stablised' a bit on the diesel side in recent years and IMO gala crowds have fallen as a result, but it still has enough to draw me in (well, it has a rat!) Any line which has a diesel diagram has to be applauded, especially now the GC is all year aswell I really can't see any reason to complain about their diesel policy.

Both lines play totally different ball games, I hope they do 'bridge the gap' as it will be fascinating to see it play out and make one hell of a preserved line at the end of it, hopefully taking the good points of both.

Phoenix · 13 Feb 2009

87015 said:
Strange. A line that has a regular diesel turn is branded as anti-diesel. I think not. Much more diesel running than GCR(N) for starters!!

Yes indeed you are correct in saying they do more diesel turns than they originally did but I still get slightly Miffed when they advertise a diesel gala and run a steam train I am in no way Anti steam but if I pay to see diesel I'm happier with the knowledge that's it's all diesel regardless of whether there's steam needed for Sunday lunch or not.

These are obviously my own opinions and not conveyed by others but like I said I am not taking sides on this one due to the fact they both have their good and bad sides.

I would like to see someone justify the whole line side photography scam though.

GCR/GCRN Question.

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