NEXT (& LAST!) T&H STEAM TRAIN IN DOUBT

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Permalink Reply by Gordon T on February 20, 2016 at 10:34

Steam Watchers had better make the most of 'Flying Scotsman' this coming Thursday 25th Feb then - it could be months before steam is seen around here again.

'Flying Scotsman' is due around 0745 at Harringay station (precise time not yet available) on its way to York, where it will stay as part of its return to traffic.

Given the amount of publicity (e.g. BBC News story here) there will be many more watchers than normal - and it's in the middle of the rush hour.

For the foreseeable future, the only other steam hauled excursions will be the Belmond Pullman (aka Orient Express) trips from Victoria, hauled by 'Tornado' which is not operated by WCRC.

PS Link to ORR Prohibition notice to WCRC here which has a link to the detailed letter of prohibition. Reading the letter, I was reminded of the recent criticisms about autocratic leadership, lack of clear management structures, insufficient internal controls, at Kids Company. I hope this turns out better.

Permalink Reply by Glenn Wallis on February 20, 2016 at 12:30

Its very difficult to kmow what will happen. The ORR has issued a prohibition notice, not revoked WCRC's license to operate. There is the court case over the Wooton Bassett SPAD pending and WCRC have to  prove to ORR that they have effective systems in place to operate safely on the main line. Gordon has already alluded to the owner's management style, which has been well known for many years, predating the formation WCRC, when Carnforth ran specials in BR days. Knowing his temperament, its quite possible he will cancel his operators license and rely on Carnforth's engineering business to supply steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock to train charter companies using another train operating company to run the tour.

Belmond, UK Railtours and Pathfinder Railtours are the only companies who never used WCRC. The only other TOCs with national operations licenses to operate railtours are the frieght operators DB Schenker (DRS) and GBRf. Government owned Direct Rail Services (DRS) has operated diesel railtours. Railtours, especially steam ones, are very much a periphery activity for these operators and there must be doubt if they can take up all the slack created by the sudden departure of WCRC.

We may see Princess Elizabeth on 19 March running on DBS's license, we just have to wait and see!

Permalink Reply by Gordon T on February 22, 2016 at 12:04

Re Flying Scotsman, the uksteam.info site reports that today's (Monday) test run York-Scarborough-York has been cancelled because of a broken spring.

Flying Scotsman is booked to travel from York to London on Tuesday (scheduled timings here) so it's unclear if that will happen Tuesday, Wednesday or at all.

Permalink Reply by Glenn Wallis on February 22, 2016 at 12:16

I see the NRM are now using DBS as their operator, no news yet about what Steam Dreams are going to do, so the 19 March trip with Princess Elizabeth over the T&H is still in doubt.

Permalink Reply by Gordon T on February 23, 2016 at 17:51

Re Flying Scotsman, Tuesday's trip from York has been deferred to Wednesday - details here.  If it runs, it will be at Harringay about 1600 - and it may be hauled by a diesel rather than running on its own.

And if 'The Inaugural Run' happens on Thursday, it should pass Harringay about 0745, (not 0755) based on a "0740 approx" Kings Cross departure (source, the Flying Scotsman/Steam Dreams websites).

Permalink Reply by Glenn Wallis on February 26, 2016 at 19:34

Steam Dreams have confirmed that their 19 March Cathedrals Express with 6201 Princess Elizabeth from Southend East/Basildon/Upminster and over the T&H Lane to West Hampstead/Oxford/Worcester is going ahead. I assume DB Schenker has taken over as licensed train operator. It remains to be seen whether the regular WCRC owned maroon Cathedrals Express coaches will be used or if, as with Flying Scotsman on Thursday, Riviera Trains will supply the coaches.

This train will be the last steam hauled train before the closure for electrification and so we are unlikely to see another steam train on the line until late 2017.

Permalink Reply by Glenn Wallis on March 4, 2016 at 12:11

Bad news! Just checked Steam Dreams' website. The 19 March Southend East/Basildon/Upminster/T&H LIne/West Hampstead to Oxford/Worcester Cathedrals Express is going ahead BUT will be diesel hauled to West London (probably Hanwell Loop) before 6201 Princess Elizabeth comes on the train. This is a huge disappointent  as it would have been "Lizzie's" first trip over our line and now we won't see another steam special on the line until after it reopens in a year's time.

Ho! Hum!

Glenn Wallis

Secretary

Barking - Gospel Oak Rail User Group

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