WCRC banned from running trains on the mainline from 18th Feb 2016 now rescinded

[infobleep]

The UK steam info site details what happened operationally.

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/trs15.htm#apr

If you want to book for this year, details are here:

http://www.railwaytouring.net/travel-tours/great-britain-ix

I see how that might put people off.

I'd love to do it one year but don't wish to allocate funds to such a trip right now as I have a lot else on this year.

 

[Mvann]

I thought it was part of abelio's franchise bid for scotrail?

 

[Llanigraham]

Yes, what's Network Rail got to do with the WCRC situation?

Some people believe that NR don't want any kettles on the tracks, and see conspiracy theory!!

 

[Whistler40145]

Well if NR don't want any kettles on their tracks, why is Flying Scotsman back on the mainline?

 

[Darandio]

Just after to wait and see what happens, so before people cry me down lets see what happens I may be wrong.

You just sound like a very emotional kettle fan, blinkered by the reality of the situation.

What next? Wootton Bassett was actually an elaborate NR hoax? The incident at Weymouth was caused by NR moving the buffers back 10 metres?

 

[cj_1985]

Well if NR don't want any kettles on their tracks, why is Flying Scotsman back on the mainline?

Because some idiot at the NRM thought it was a wise investment?:roll:

 

[Whistler40145]

D200 would've been a better investment.

 

[90019]

Because some idiot at the NRM thought it was a wise investment?:roll:

Judging by how many charters are already sold out at prices that aren't exactly cheap, as an investment it's looking a lot better than something that would be of little to no interest to non enthusiasts.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

D200 would've been a better investment.

Would it?
I wonder how many people on the street would know what D200 even is if you asked them, as opposed to how many would know of Flying Scotsman.

In your view it might be a more worthwhile project, but that doesn't make it a better investment, as they'd be extremely unlikely to get anything even remotely close to the income they'll get from Flying Scotsman.

 

[CosherB]

D200 would've been a better investment.

I'd like to see your business plan then! lol

 

[Whistler40145]

I'm no businessman, but why leave a fine locomotive to deteriorate?

 

[a_c_skinner]

but other enthusiasts on this thread have lost their sense of proportion. This is about a company that allowed their train crew to drive past a signal at STOP, which they should have known was protecting busy main line and with the safety device that would have prevented it tampered with (not tinkered as one rail mag described it). Hundreds of people were on the two trains involved and only good fortune left the WCRC fouling the junction after not before the HST had passed through. The potential results were unimaginable (actually I can, I'm a doctor at a major trauma centre). They were given a chance to remedy this but lesser events continued. I don't really want my pottering around on DMUs and occasional trips to London to share track with them unless they can reach the high standards of safety I expect on rail. They run a limited number of trains for leisure, rail is about regular transport.

 

[Whistler40145]

I totally agree with you, WCRC have to maintain a very high standard of Health and Safety as per other operators.

 

[BRblue]

but other enthusiasts on this thread have lost their sense of proportion. This is about a company that allowed their train crew to drive past a signal at STOP, which they should have known was protecting busy main line and with the safety device that would have prevented it tampered with (not tinkered as one rail mag described it). Hundreds of people were on the two trains involved and only good fortune left the WCRC fouling the junction after not before the HST had passed through. The potential results were unimaginable (actually I can, I'm a doctor at a major trauma centre). They were given a chance to remedy this but lesser events continued. I don't really want my pottering around on DMUs and occasional trips to London to share track with them unless they can reach the high standards of safety I expect on rail. They run a limited number of trains for leisure, rail is about regular transport.

At last!... somebody speaking sense.
Those of us who are actually employed in the rail industry have been constantly banging our heads against the wall when it comes to getting this message across...
We are talking about the national rail network not a heritage line, and if WCRC cannot meet the same safety standards as other TOC'S and FOC's they should not be operating on the mainline.
It is as straightforward as that, no grey areas, no ifs, no buts.

 

[furnessvale]

At last!... somebody speaking sense.
Those of us who are actually employed in the rail industry have been constantly banging our heads against the wall when it comes to getting this message across...
We are talking about the national rail network not a heritage line, and if WCRC cannot meet the same safety standards as other TOC'S and FOC's they should not be operating on the mainline.
It is as straightforward as that, no grey areas, no ifs, no buts.

To be fair, if you look back in the thread , you will see others, me included, who have been pushing the same message.

 

[BRblue]

To be fair, if you look back in the thread , you will see others, me included, who have been pushing the same message.

Unfortunately the few of you that have are in the minority, but point taken.

 

[cjmillsnun]

Unfortunately the few of you that have are in the minority, but point taken.

No, over 26 pages of the thread, I think 23 could be made of people supporting your view. That is the vast majority.

 

[D1009]

I'm no businessman, but why leave a fine locomotive to deteriorate?

Well if it's being left to deteriorate, that's very sad, but absolutely nothing to do with this thread.

 

[Whistler40145]

Yes, get back on the subject.

 

[Argosy]

They run a limited number of trains for leisure, rail is about regular transport.

No it isn't. Rail is a mode of transport. Frequency is irrelevant. If an operator wishes to run aircraft, trains, ships or coaches the standard must be of a high enough quality to meet regulatory requirements.

 

[Whistler40145]

I agree Argosy, it doesn't matter how often WCRC runs trains, the same level of Health and Safety is required as any other TOC.

 

[furnessvale]

I agree Argosy, it doesn't matter how often WCRC runs trains, the same level of Health and Safety is required as any other TOC.

Or slightly more correctly "will be required in the future".

 

[Whistler40145]

I apologise furnessvale.

 

[furnessvale]

I apologise furnessvale.

No apologies, it was partly in jest!

 

[Whistler40145]

No problem

 

[a_c_skinner]

Sorry regular meaning normal not frequent. Same rules for everyone.

 

[RPTC]

I don't get the mentality of those who bang on about some mythical and imagined anti-steam vendetta. Imagine the media outcry if some company was running ancient planes in and out of Heathrow with zero hour crews, inadequate training and safety systems, and had a near miss with another airliner? CAA would ground them immediately and probably permanently. Why are trains any different? If people want to play trains and not do it properly then build your own railway to play with, as the rest of us don't want being put us at increased risk of death or injury on the grown ups network. Perhaps start with this and work upwards.

http://www.modelrailwaysdirect.co.uk/Brio-33042-Little-Forest-Train-Set/

I wonder if the managers and directors involved have had legal advice on their personal responsibilities, especially in the event of an incident where people get hurt. I know many senior people in the outside world are not familiar with these areas of safety legislation, and get a bit twitchy when it is explained to them.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/leadership/legislation.htm

 

[CosherB]

I wonder if the managers and directors involved have had legal advice on their personal responsibilities, especially in the event of an incident where people get hurt. I know many senior people in the outside world are not familiar with these areas of safety legislation, and get a bit twitchy when it is explained to them.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/leadership/legislation.htm

Managers and directors in any industry shouldn't need to rely on legal advice regarding the Health and Safety at Work Act - it became law in 1974. Ignorance is not an excuse.

 

[Whistler40145]

CosherB, indeed ignorance is no excuse.

 

[CosherB]

I agree Argosy, it doesn't matter how often WCRC runs trains, the same level of Health and Safety is required as any other TOC.

That's an extreme oversimplification, but I think I know what you're getting at. If it was applied exactly the same across all TOCs, then the likes of our friend Brian Aylott will get their way regarding Mark 1 stock.

Managing safety is the balance of hazard and risk to the point where it is as low as is reasonably practicable. Legislative and regulatory requirements, however, are a universal for everyone concerned.

 

[Whistler40145]

Yeah, what I wanted to get across is that it doesn't matter how large or small the TOC, they all have to provide the same high level of Health & Safety.