WCRC loses judicial review in High Court

[Wyrleybart]

There’s one charter TOC that would have the funds necessary to facilitate that…

I may be wrong but I believe one of the leading charter operators actually has the original Kyle of Lochalsh line Met Camm car in store at Crewe.

The points are Vac brake. no CET, no CDL, no disability access etc etc.

Additionally, there are several preserved observation cars around the country. but non are mainline registered AFAIK eve nthe elegant "Beavertail" car which needed a large wedge of cash to restore it.

 

[Spaceship323]

The Royal Scotsman has an observation car, with an open rear deck...how is that allowed these days? (observed on the Kyle line last month)

 

[AdamWW]

The Royal Scotsman has an observation car, with an open rear deck...how is that allowed these days? (observed on the Kyle line last month)

I think the railings round it have gradually got higher.

 

[12C]

I think the railings round it have gradually got higher.

There has been a small glass screen added above the railing at the sides in recent years, up to about shoulder height. It’s still open around from waist height at the end.

I'm surprised it’s still allowed in this day and age given how strict other railtours are around even loitering in a vestibule.

(Attached photo showing open veranda of Royal Scotsman observation car).

 

[co-tr-paul]

Personally, love open air veranda stock. It's common on many special trains worldwide and I wish more heritage lines would cater for this, although I get a brake van has limited capacity !
Just think it's a missed opportunity here but H&S is totally OTT regarding this.
Just look at operators like Alaska Railroad which has double deck open veranda stock !
If they can all do it " safely " , why can't we ?
Edit, Scotland's Poshish Train , new TV series starts Sunday????

 

[BRX]

Loads of open carriages in Japan too.

My impression is that it's partly that now the UK has no droplights, they've decided there's no more need to bother too much about keeping vegetation cut back alongside the line.

 

[AdamWW]

Just look at operators like Alaska Railroad which has double deck open veranda stock !
If they can all do it " safely " , why can't we ?

More clearance?

My recollection of travelling on the Alaska Railroad is that there was something of a lack of lineside vegetation or indeed other structures. There was one tunnel though.

 

[12C]

Personally, love open air veranda stock. It's common on many special trains worldwide and I wish more heritage lines would cater for this, although I get a brake van has limited capacity !
Just think it's a missed opportunity here but H&S is totally OTT regarding this.
Just look at operators like Alaska Railroad which has double deck open veranda stock !
If they can all do it " safely " , why can't we ?
Edit, Scotland's Poshish Train , new TV series starts Sunday????

I completely agree, but it is at a sharp contrast to all other railtour operators who are very strict about nobody being near a droplight on the move.

You also don’t have to look very far on YouTube to see plenty of influencers and travel vloggers sticking GoPros and selfie sticks out of the Royal Scotsman’s veranda, seemingly without any repercussions. On any other railtour these days, you’d likely be kicked off the train.

Are the ORR more lenient to operators carrying rich American tourists than rail enthusiasts perhaps?

 

[Killingworth]

Personally, love open air veranda stock. It's common on many special trains worldwide and I wish more heritage lines would cater for this, although I get a brake van has limited capacity !
Just think it's a missed opportunity here but H&S is totally OTT regarding this.
Just look at operators like Alaska Railroad which has double deck open veranda stock !
If they can all do it " safely " , why can't we ?
Edit, Scotland's Poshish Train , new TV series starts Sunday????

Royal Scotsman, open verandah, Flying Scotsman, oops!

 

[Wyrleybart]

More clearance?

My recollection of travelling on the Alaska Railroad is that there was something of a lack of lineside vegetation or indeed other structures. There was one tunnel though.

I agree
UK has some of the tightest infrastructure around trains, even to the extent that class 153s were banned east of St Denys due to bogie steps being "out of gauge". Who remembers the unfortunate incident where a rail enthusiast had his head out of the only droplight on a class 442 in the Clapham area.

 

[AdamWW]

I agree
UK has some of the tightest infrastructure around trains, even to the extent that class 153s were banned east of St Denys due to bogie steps being "out of gauge". Who remembers the unfortunate incident where a rail enthusiast had his head out of the only droplight on a class 442 in the Clapham area.

Funnily enough I was on a double 153 today where the door to the non driving side of one of the intermediate cabs wasn't shut and I could have stuck my head out of a window.

I didn't.

Personally, love open air veranda stock. It's common on many special trains worldwide and I wish more heritage lines would cater for this, although I get a brake van has limited capacity

There's the Brecon Mountain Railway - verandas on every coach. Sadly with (post-Covid?) assigned seating and at least if you book online no way to choose to sit in an end coach.

 

[Titfield]

I agree
UK has some of the tightest infrastructure around trains, even to the extent that class 153s were banned east of St Denys due to bogie steps being "out of gauge". Who remembers the unfortunate incident where a rail enthusiast had his head out of the only droplight on a class 442 in the Clapham area.

A very tragic accident where the TOC was held to account and fined accordingly.