WCRC loses judicial review in High Court

[D6130]

Trundling around at no more than 25 mph probably plays its part!

The Jacobite doesn't go very much faster than that!

 

[Starmill]

I guess if the windows were cleaned every day it would reduce the need for harsh cleaning agents or high pressure to be used. But this would be at the expense of a lot more labour.

The Jacobite doesn't go very much faster than that!

I guess most preserved lines have a shed where they can climb up to window level safely, or a pair of platforms and volunteers who clean the windows from the platform for free.

 

[GLC]

It's been a while since I've been to Fort William station, the ledge on the opposite side of platform 2, is that not accessible (easily) by staff, that could be used for cleaning the opposite side of the train quickly?

 

[PG]

It's been a while since I've been to Fort William station, the ledge on the opposite side of platform 2, is that not accessible (easily) by staff, that could be used for cleaning the opposite side of the train quickly?

I've highlighted the words that are likely to cause a Health and Safety manager to burst a blood vessel

 

[greatkingrat]

Is there any reason why it always uses the same platform. The easiest solution would just be to swap platforms occasionally.

 

[D6130]

Is there any reason why it always uses the same platform. The easiest solution would just be to swap platforms occasionally.

Platform 1 is required for the arrival and run-round of the Caledonian Sleeper at roughly that time of the morning.

 

[Justin Smith]

Trundling around at no more than 25 mph probably plays its part!

I didn't think the Jacobite went much faster than that ?

 

[D6130]

I didn't think the Jacobite went much faster than that ?

Indeed. See post #1,471.

 

[renegademaster]

How do preserved railways keep their windows clean?

In my experience they dont. Some are better than others but they are rarely glamorous, especially the smaller railways

 

[Spaceship323]

I've highlighted the words that are likely to cause a Health and Safety manager to burst a blood vessel

The "ledge" is more of a half width platform, similar to that found in carriage sidings all across the network, as @D6130 says though access might be difficult

 

[43055]

Trundling around at no more than 25 mph probably plays its part!

It dosen't! The coal we have and I believe other railways use at times can be very sooty!

 

[sprinterguy]

In my experience they dont. Some are better than others but they are rarely glamorous, especially the smaller railways

Severn Valley, Gloucs-Warc and Keighley Worth Valley all seem to do a decent job, of the lines I have repeated experience of. The Severn Valley in particular would seem to get some fairly intensive mileage out of their coaching stock rakes, yet they typically seem to be exemplary in that regard.

I can't recall what the state of play was with the West Highland steam workings in BR days, but it doesn't seem beyond the capabilities of man to keep the windows clean on two rakes of stock that each do one, fairly leisurely, round trip per day.

 

[D Williams]

Severn Valley, Gloucs-Warc and Keighley Worth Valley all seem to do a decent job, of the lines I have repeated experience of. The Severn Valley in particular would seem to get some fairly intensive mileage out of their coaching stock rakes, yet they typically seem to be exemplary in that regard.

I can't recall what the state of play was with the West Highland steam workings in BR days, but it doesn't seem beyond the capabilities of man to keep the windows clean on two rakes of stock that each do one, fairly leisurely, round trip per day.

Ah, but "man" will require payment.

 

[kje7812]

Severn Valley, Gloucs-Warc and Keighley Worth Valley all seem to do a decent job, of the lines I have repeated experience of. The Severn Valley in particular would seem to get some fairly intensive mileage out of their coaching stock rakes, yet they typically seem to be exemplary in that regard.

The SVR's main issue is Bewdley tunnel, as it is a narrow single track bore unlike the tunnels on the GWSR, KWVR and North York Moors. It's also longer. This means the loco exhaust is forced against the coach bodies thus leading to get dirty quicker than they would otherwise.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

The Severn Valley Railway has invested in proper stabling and maintenance facilities at Kidderminster and employs carriage cleaners as part of the paid staff. WCRC could do with learning from this if it wishes to recover any of its rapidly diminishing remaining reputation as a tour operator.

 

[kje7812]

The Severn Valley Railway has invested in proper stabling and maintenance facilities at Kidderminster and employs carriage cleaners as part of the paid staff. WCRC could do with learning from this if it wishes to recover any of its rapidly diminishing remaining reputation as a tour operator.

Not anymore. They were cut as part of redundancies last year.

 

[30907]

Severn Valley, Gloucs-Warc and Keighley Worth Valley all seem to do a decent job,

There is a carriage-cleaning platform at Oxenhope, and stock is regularly swapped between the two sidings to allow this.

 

[sprinterguy]

Ah, but "man" will require payment.

Aye, that would seem to be a major stumbling block admittedly.

The Severn Valley Railway has invested in proper stabling and maintenance facilities at Kidderminster and employs carriage cleaners as part of the paid staff. WCRC could do with learning from this if it wishes to recover any of its rapidly diminishing remaining reputation as a tour operator.

There is a carriage-cleaning platform at Oxenhope, and stock is regularly swapped between the two sidings to allow this.

Thanks for these (and other) responses above. This does help to outline why some preserved railways manage to do such a good job of carriage presentation.

The SVR's main issue is Bewdley tunnel, as it is a narrow single track bore unlike the tunnels on the GWSR, KWVR and North York Moors. It's also longer. This means the loco exhaust is forced against the coach bodies thus leading to get dirty quicker than they would otherwise.

You definitely can't tell, given how clean they typically manage to keep their coaching stock. Good effort.

 

[BRX]

Of course they'd have to pay someone. But if the core of your business is transporting people on one of the world's most scenic railways then it seems a bit bonkers to decide that keeping the windows clean is not one of the things you choose to invest in.

 

[Towers]

The Tripadvisor pages certainly make for grim reading. Many, many complaints that the coaching stock is “not vintage, just old” and that windows are so dirty as to be able to prevent any worthwhile photography, as well as an assortment of issues with there being no heat in the winter and no ventilation in the summer.

Some of the reviews aren’t terribly complementary about the food either, as the photo below demonstrates. Can only be a matter of time before someone else takes this work on now, surely?



[Image shows the “Afternoon Tea” selection, a box containing sandwiches, small cakes and handful of grapes and strawberries. The reviewer has added text which reads “£28 for this”.

The reviewer’s page can be found here:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Profile/rosesgrowonyou ].

 

[BAFRA77]

You know it’s bad when people in the reviews are advising future passengers to use the Scotrail service instead…

 

[RJ]

You know it’s bad when people in the reviews are advising future passengers to use the Scotrail service instead…

It’s good if you know how to do it. Be on the platform nice and early and stood right by where the door opens so you get first choice of the best seats on the right side of the train!

 

[Bill57p9]

The Jacobite shunts between both platforms at Mallaig, so there is access to both sides from platform level. And paying someone to do such a job would stimulate the local economy (wasn't that one of the CDL mitigations suggested?)

Indeed it is very sad to see the current state of what should be a flagship tourist train.

At the risk of further opening old wounds on the CDL debate, I note that the SRPS MK1 rake is now back in service with CDL and toilet retention tanks.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

At the risk of further opening old wounds on the CDL debate, I note that the SRPS MK1 rake is now back in service with CDL and toilet retention tanks.

Out of interest, is that a vacuum/dual-braked set or is it now air-only?

 

[Bill57p9]

Out of interest, is that a vacuum/dual-braked set or is it now air-only?

The SPRS main line rake used to be dual heat / dual brake.

I do not know for certain, however I do expect it to be air brake only now (as is the current Jacobite stock). I would suggest a really significant question is whether it requires ETS or could survive on steam heat (only).

 

[3RDGEN]

The Tripadvisor pages certainly make for grim reading. Many, many complaints that the coaching stock is “not vintage, just old” and that windows are so dirty as to be able to prevent any worthwhile photography, as well as an assortment of issues with there being no heat in the winter and no ventilation in the summer.

Some of the reviews aren’t terribly complementary about the food either, as the photo below demonstrates. Can only be a matter of time before someone else takes this work on now, surely?

View attachment 171017

[Image shows the “Afternoon Tea” selection, a box containing sandwiches, small cakes and handful of grapes and strawberries. The reviewer has added text which reads “£28 for this”.

The reviewer’s page can be found here:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Profile/rosesgrowonyou ].

The track access agreement has only just been extended to 31th Oct 2029 so they are likely to be running it for the next five years at least, "https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/defaul...22-supplemental-agreement-decision-letter.pdf".

The Jacobite shunts between both platforms at Mallaig, so there is access to both sides from platform level. And paying someone to do such a job would stimulate the local economy (wasn't that one of the CDL mitigations suggested?)

Indeed it is very sad to see the current state of what should be a flagship tourist train.

At the risk of further opening old wounds on the CDL debate, I note that the SRPS MK1 rake is now back in service with CDL and toilet retention tanks.

Not sure they swap platforms at Mallaig now judging by the You Tube videos from this summer, but your right they could make an effort to clean one side in the platform at Mallaig and then the other side back at Fort William yard. You only need to do a couple of coaches a day and cycle around the set over 3 or 4 days.

 

[Bill57p9]

Not sure they swap platforms at Mallaig now judging by the You Tube videos from this summer, but your right they could make an effort to clean one side in the platform at Mallaig and then the other side back at Fort William yard. You only need to do a couple of coaches a day and cycle around the set over 3 or 4 days.

Just checked the May 25 schedules in RTT and you are quite correct: Both trains use platform 1 (with run round loop) at Mallaig for both arrival and departure. All the ScotRail services use platform 2.

However both morning and afternoon Jacobites leave Fort William from platform 2 but return to platform 1, therefore presenting both sides of each coach.

 

[D Williams]

You know it’s bad when people in the reviews are advising future passengers to use the Scotrail service instea

The Tripadvisor pages certainly make for grim reading. Many, many complaints that the coaching stock is “not vintage, just old” and that windows are so dirty as to be able to prevent any worthwhile photography, as well as an assortment of issues with there being no heat in the winter and no ventilation in the summer.

Some of the reviews aren’t terribly complementary about the food either, as the photo below demonstrates. Can only be a matter of time before someone else takes this work on now, surely?

View attachment 171017

[Image shows the “Afternoon Tea” selection, a box containing sandwiches, small cakes and handful of grapes and strawberries. The reviewer has added text which reads “£28 for this”.

The reviewer’s page can be found here:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Profile/rosesgrowonyou ].

Well, I suppose you can either trade up market or down.

I've just spent twenty minutes trawling through Tripadvisor and I've never read so many negative comments about what is supposed to be a heritage train experience. If potential customers take heed of these there will be plenty of spare seats next season.

 

[D6130]

Can only be a matter of time before someone else takes this work on now, surely?

Don't tempt me to respond to that!

The SPRS main line rake used to be dual heat / dual brake.

Now that the SRPS main line rake has been overhauled, I wonder how many vehicles might be spare? I would have thought that 45231 and 61306 could handle the service between them.

 

[STINT47]

On the WCRC Jacobite website they show a TripAdvisor travellers choice award/badge. Only problem is it's from 2020, not sure if they'll get a 2024 version.