renegademaster
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That could be more trying to stretch a limited amount of stock
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West Coast Mk1s
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Wyrleybart
Established Member
No. Just youtubed GB 15 in April 2023 and 44932 was running a mix of Mk1 and Mk2ABC vac braked vehicles through Dawlish
EDIT just counted 10 vehicles which probably included a POB, and had some MetCamm Pullmans, with a 47 on the rear.
Yeah they seem to be doing well out of it, and hiring dual-braked stock for diesel galas. However the ex-Jacbobite MK1 SO that I travelled on at Embsay wasn't in great nick and had water pouring out of the tank in the end vestibule.
However, did anyone else see that West Coast ran a private charter with 45627/45699 'Galberta Leone' with a full rake of MK1 stock recently? Apparently the ORR are keeping an eye on things.
renegademaster
Established Member
When was this?
Wyrleybart
Established Member
Are you referring to the private "wedding train" to Edinburgh ?
If so I think it was actually seven Mk1s and a diesel on the rear, running from Brighouse to Edinburgh.
This is a video link to the train
Yes that's the one.
I think there was some question over whether a) the MK1s have been CDL Fitted but WC haven't announced it, b) they've found some kind of loophole where the wedding party doesn't count as fare paying passengers so the regulations don't apply or c) they thought that option b applied but in actual fact it doesn't
If c) is the reality, they'll be in serious hot water
I think there was some question over whether a) the MK1s have been CDL Fitted but WC haven't announced it, b) they've found some kind of loophole where the wedding party doesn't count as fare paying passengers so the regulations don't apply or c) they thought that option b applied but in actual fact it doesn't
If c) is the reality, they'll be in serious hot water
martin butler
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Whatever west coast do, is their own business, The exemption, mentioned, for the MK1's was I think rejected, and they can't be used until they conform with the ORR requirement to be CDL fitted, But commercially, it makes no sense to have a fleet of vacuum brake only engines, when the only stock you can use for tours, are the air brake only MK2's and on the face of it are reluctant to fit air braking onto your own engines,
DJ_K666
Member
They don't have slam doors. Also they look too fat, maybe to accommodate the screens. They look almost right (which 8f they count would probably make them the newest mk1 coaches in existence) I wonder if the gangways between coaches are dummies or functional.
BlueLeanie
On Moderation
Nope, it's a theme park, it's all automatic. No slam doors.
DJ_K666
Member
Ok so they don't count.
Railwaycat
Member
According to August's Steam Railway (stop press), the ORR have delivered their verdict to West Coast on their latest exemption application:
"We have completed our assessment of West Coast Railway Company's application for a new exemption from Reg 5 of the Railway Safety Regs 1999. The company have been informed of our decision, and the reasons underpinning it"
Not looking good at all
"We have completed our assessment of West Coast Railway Company's application for a new exemption from Reg 5 of the Railway Safety Regs 1999. The company have been informed of our decision, and the reasons underpinning it"
Not looking good at all
43096
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It has been blindingly obvious what the verdict would be if WCRC didn't commit to a time-bound fitment plan. Any other outcome would open up a can of worms (aka legal action) from those who have complied and spent significant sums doing so. You cannot have a regulator who treats operators differently.
Railwaycat
Member
The hope was that they had committed to some sort of time bound fitment plan, but the implication is they haven't - unless they have, but the time they want is too long for the ORR. We'll just have to wait and see.
WesternLancer
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What stock is the Jacobite running with at the moment?
- friend of mine just going up there this weekend and was asking me about it. I just looked at their site and again every service every day seems to be fully booked even tho we must be at end of holiday season now I would have thought.
- friend of mine just going up there this weekend and was asking me about it. I just looked at their site and again every service every day seems to be fully booked even tho we must be at end of holiday season now I would have thought.
Wyrleybart
Established Member
Reading various threads I believe WCR now have three CDL fitted MK2Cs (openable windows) as well as a Mk2 BSO. Not sure how many are outbased at Fort William amongst the air con Mk2Fs, but is the service reducing to a single set soon ?
I’m not sure how much of that was WCRC involvement, as I believe they were former Wales & West vehicles that had the CDl fitted years ago!
Although at least with the Mk2C not being that far related from the D/E/Fs they can at least transfer doors and equipment across. And they’ve certainly got enough of those.
They are not Mk2c coaches.
5453 and 5487 are Mk2b coaches
5229 and 5239 are Mk2 coaches.
Best bet is to view recent YouTube videos. For example, here is one filmed yesterday at Fort William station which has close up views of all the coaches.
WesternLancer
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Thanks - helpful to see that!
xotGD
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All the windows are shut! Shows that normals aren't that bothered about hearing the chuffing.
It's the Highlands in mid-September. It's not particularly warm.
Using "First" 5229 gives them six extra seats so another £600 per trip, nice move.
Wyrleybart
Established Member
And neither is there any heat onboard.
Useful video and thanks for the correction on the coach marques upthread. .
5453 and 5487 were already fitted. 5229 and 5239 have been fitted this year, though 5239 hasn't made it to Fort William yet.
I'm really confused by their business strategy at the moment. We knew the exemption wasn't coming without a commitment to fit CDL which WC are adamant is too expensive (probably because it would mean also fixing the other issues with their MK1s at the same time. The ex-Jacobite one I rode in at Embsay wasn't in great condition..) so why not fit at least one more loco - 44932 or 46115 maybe - with air brakes so they can earn money on tours? Given they've been reliant on 45212 and Tangmere plus Tornado... might have saved them some grief.
Wyrleybart
Established Member
You and me both !!
Not sure the WCR supremo has actually said it is too expensive, but you may well be correct. AFAIK the WCR Mk1 fleet is OK and some of it is used. I think WCR have provided a dual braked Mk1 rake to the Severn Valley for a diesel gala. and they used that set in vacuum mode for the wedding charter earlier this year (Brighouse-Edinburgh)
From what I understand the WCR boss refuses to fit his steam locos with air brakes (34067 was already fitted when WCR acquired it) and will no longer hire 60163. However WCR have just agreed the hire of 34028 from SLL so that gives WCR another pacific to use.
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Dave S 56F
Member
Apparently as well 34067 Tangmere is broken down again and tomorrow's cumbrian mountain express is been diesel hauled.
Wilts Wanderer
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Cutting nose off to spite face still! I don’t remotely understand the logic of expensively-overhauled locos with 10-year boiler certificates sitting in a yard unused, on the basis of the cost of fitting said locos and the rolling stock with the air equipment.
From an authenticity point of view I can appreciate it looks and sounds odd to see (say) a Black 5 with an air pump on the running plate slapping away while the loco is stationary but it’s better than not seeing the loco in use at all!
Could they use MK1s alternated in formation with CDL fitted MK2s and only allow access to the MK1s via the door & vestibule of the adjacent Mk2s with the Mk1 doors locked out of use? Or are there issues with emergency evacuation that would not allow such a strategy? I don’t think there’d be much issue with things like loading and dwell time given passengers are probably not carrying a lot of luggage or detraining at intermediate stations.
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