Davester50
Member
Isn't that for them to move with the times and buy/convert/hire in more relevant power for the national network then?
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Jacobite cancellations 2023
- Thread starter Wilts Wanderer
- Start date
- Status
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
Whistler40145
Established Member
No, you're meaning to ditch historic vehicles
Robert Ambler
Member
- Joined
- 12 Feb 2019
- Messages
- 72
One of the sets in use on the Jacobite this year is a rake of maroon air braked Mk2s
Davester50
Member
It's a national rail network, not a heritage preserved line.
The locos have modern headlights, which aren't historic, RETB - not historic, and TPWS - also not historic. They can fit non-historic air brakes too.
Whistler40145
Established Member
Mk 2f coaches are boring, can't hear steam or diesel
Davester50
Member
So you want to ditch historic Mk 2F coaches now?
Whistler40145
Established Member
No, use Mk 1s with CDL fitted
Davester50
Member
So fit CDL like other users already have then.
As has been already said by more informed others, they're air brake operated...
The morning service is normally the traditional full MkI set and the afternoon service is a rake of MkII's with the odd MkI's included, believe this has been the case since they introduced the afternoon service.
without cdl, could be fitted in time for next year if you could source the components.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
So presumably WCRC could find another air braked loco and set of fresh-air Mk2s, and fit conventional CDL to those using recovered components from scrapped mainline Mk2/Mk3 stock plus window bars?
Not much excuse then.
Not much excuse then.
Finding it interesting how much helpful advice is freely on offer from Forumites- over 250 postings. If only those responsible at the Jacobite had availed themselves of even a fraction instead of adopting the ostrich position.
I think all the locos in use this year are already dual braked. The issue would be finding the Mk2s overhauling them and finding the components for the cdl and possibly fitting retention tanks as well. There isn't a store of Rail tour ready cdl Mk2s anywhere. The other issue is whether the Jacobite operation is sufficient lucrative to justify the expenditure. I suspect its no where near as profitable. as some on here imagine.
Baxenden Bank
Established Member
- Joined
- 23 Oct 2013
- Messages
- 4,743
Perhaps they ought to? WCRC previous attitude to regulation is well documented.
Or even better, given the notice period of the requirement for CDL, fit it last winter in time for the expiry of the derogation and avoid the drama…
Given both trains are in revenue earning service every day for half the year on a “rinse and repeat“ plan with the combined draw of Harry Potter, mainline steam and the West Highland Line, I for one would be somewhat surprised if the economics compared unfavourably to other main line heritage operators (LSL, Hastings Diesels) who have found a way to comply with the regulations.
Sheldonian
Member
As long as the coaches are adequately maintained, effectively stewarded and used correctly by passengers then there is no greater risk than there has ever been.
Far greater risk travelling by road to get there, or with people on the track or with crossings
Of course you strive to minimise risk where possible but there will always be some risk in moving such large objects around.
The only way to eliminate all risks is to not run trains at all. Have we reached that point.
Far greater risk travelling by road to get there, or with people on the track or with crossings
Of course you strive to minimise risk where possible but there will always be some risk in moving such large objects around.
The only way to eliminate all risks is to not run trains at all. Have we reached that point.
12LDA28C
Established Member
- Joined
- 14 Oct 2022
- Messages
- 5,058
And the Midland Pullman HST
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Plenty of Mark 2 PV stock still main line registered, you can open the windows and hear the loco from them.
Last edited:
Davester50
Member
Even then, what's to stop fitting hopper, or sliding windows. There were Irish Mark 3s with opening windows after all.
Wilts Wanderer
Established Member
- Joined
- 21 Nov 2016
- Messages
- 3,199
TBH personally I actually prefer the Mk2A-C open vehicles to Mark 1 Tourist open stock. I find the seats more comfortable and the ride superior. I think opening windows (ie not air-con ‘coffins’) is a red line for much of the business that steam charters take, even the dining majority. You’re paying a lot of money to experience ‘how it used to be’ even if in reality the details are not comparable. I don’t think a coffin with retrofitted hopper windows would satisfy many people but a Mk2A would be perfectly fine - as they are clearly by their current use. A Mark 3 of any kind on steam work would be laughable.
Davester50
Member
If they're given the treatment like the Air Con Mark 2s that were Pullman-ified, I don't think many tourists would notice, let alone care. By and large, they're not rivet counters.
If West Coast don't want to spend big money on fitting CDL to old stock, then find new stock already fitted.
12LDA28C
Established Member
- Joined
- 14 Oct 2022
- Messages
- 5,058
The IC rake of Mark 3s has already been used on various steam specials around London and the South East.
Wilts Wanderer
Established Member
- Joined
- 21 Nov 2016
- Messages
- 3,199
Yes, and it looked ridiculous.
John Bishop
Member
I really don’t think that 99.8% of the customers on the Jacobite would give a fig about what it looked like! They just want to get on a train over “The Harry Potter bridge”. They couldn’t tell a Mk1 from a Mk3.
The people on it were presumably happy with their experience.
They are the ones that matter?
D Williams
Member
So it does but, in my opinion, a steam locomotive on todays railway also looks ridiculous, much the same as a traction engine plodding along a dual carriageway. However, it keeps a tradition alive.
Killingworth
Established Member
Having ridden on the Jacobite I sometimes think Harry Potter is overblown as a draw for those travelling on the train. WCR make nothing of it in their advertising, probably for copyright reasons Same goes for National Trust of Scotland at Glenfinnan.
For the crowds waiting below Glenfinnan viaduct and along the route - as long as it's a steam.locomotive. the carriages dont really matter. i suspect many wouldn't be bothered if it was a diesel disgiused behind a mock steam loco belching out artificial smoke and giving off recorded clanking and whistlingl.! After all those little tourist trains round coastal resorts and touist towns do alright!
John Bishop
Member
Yes I agree. The whole HP thing has gathered pace of its own accord really.
Blindtraveler
Established Member
- Joined
- 28 Feb 2011
- Messages
- 10,544
I looked into this once as someone asked me why there wasn't more made of it from a marketing angle and the answer that I came up with was ultimately that I think both west coast rail tours and the National trust would have to pay a significant amount of money to flog it in terms of Harry potter and neither are prepared to do so and I suppose I can't blame them
Seems like they don't have to, so why spend the money?
- Status