The Scenic Settler - 15/9/12

[IntercityHST]

I have just been informed from a reliable source that this tour has been cancelled! No reason why all I know is that me and a few mates were booked on this and are not happy!

 

[theblackwatch]

Same reason as DBS have cancelled several other tours - DBS Driver's work to rule /industrial action. A fill explanation is at http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/in...-scenic-settler-due-to-industrial-action.html

Oh to be a tour promoter...

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Yes, it's a great shame about this problem. Quite a few steam and diesel charters have been cancelled recently because of this dispute. I hope it can be resolved quickly. I am keeping fingers crossed that all will be well on a steam tour that I hope to be doing on Saturday at the end of this month.

 

[table38]

I wondered why my ticket hadn't turned up yet
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I am keeping fingers crossed that all will be well on a steam tour that I hope to be doing on Saturday at the end of this month.

If it's the Solent Pacific on the 22nd, that's cancelled as well

http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/index.php/tour-calendar-reader/events/the-solent-pacific.html

 

[Phil6219]

It's a shame, since DB 66s were to be involved in part of this and the FL 70 as well could it not have been possible to use an Freightliner 66 and stick a Generator coach in there to provide ETH?

I take it that avenue was shot down by DBS who apparently own Riviera who may have been providing the coaching stock (as in the past) for this tour?

Crying shame though, I was going up to Carlisle this weekend to see this and the others as well as the ECML diversions but it seems the industrial action is effecting those drags too, that's off topic though :/

Phil

 

[theblackwatch]

It's a shame, since DB 66s were to be involved in part of this and the FL 70 as well could it not have been possible to use an Freightliner 66 and stick a Generator coach in there to provide ETH?

I take it that avenue was shot down by DBS who apparently own Riviera who may have been providing the coaching stock (as in the past) for this tour?

Crying shame though, I was going up to Carlisle this weekend to see this and the others as well as the ECML diversions but it seems the industrial action is effecting those drags too, that's off topic though :/

Phil

Freightliner don't have a safety case to operate passenger trains - even if it used entirely FL traction, it would still need to be crewed and operated by a passenger TOC (in this case DBS). Riviera aren't owned by DBS - they are independent and they have provided stock for tours operated by DBS, DRS and GBRF in recent weeks.

 

[Phil6219]

Ah, I didn't think about the safety case.

I could have swore that DBS had bought one of the charter companies several months back but alas I stand corrected

Phil

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I wondered why my ticket hadn't turned up yet
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


If it's the Solent Pacific on the 22nd, that's cancelled as well

http://www.pathfindertours.co.uk/index.php/tour-calendar-reader/events/the-solent-pacific.html

No, it's Steam Dreams to Kingswear on Sat 29 Sept from Paddington. Normally Steam Dreams use West Coast, but when Tornado is the loco which it is for this trip, they have to use DBS.

 

[Chester025]

Crying shame though, I was going up to Carlisle this weekend to see this and the others as well as the ECML diversions but it seems the industrial action is effecting those drags too, that's off topic though :/

Are they? I thought the diverts would all be staffed by East Coast?

 

[table38]

What prospect for the BLS "Lowland Tracker" tour on 22nd Sep then I wonder - that's planned for 2 x DBS 66s and Riviera stock.

 

[theblackwatch]

What prospect for the BLS "Lowland Tracker" tour on 22nd Sep then I wonder - that's planned for 2 x DBS 66s and Riviera stock.

A post on wnxx suggests this has also been cancelled by DBS.

 

[alastair]

No, it's Steam Dreams to Kingswear on Sat 29 Sept from Paddington. Normally Steam Dreams use West Coast, but when Tornado is the loco which it is for this trip, they have to use DBS.

I don't think you are correct here,SD have only used DBS since the start of this year. With the current strike action that is a decision they may now be regretting?.....

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I don't think you are correct here,SD have only used DBS since the start of this year. With the current strike action that is a decision they may now be regretting?.....

Oh, Thank you, I did not know that SD only use DBS now. Oh well, it's a 50/50 if I'll be going with them on the 29 Sept then.

 

[fgwrich]

I wonder how UK Railtours are fairing, as nearly all of their tours are DBS / Riviera operated - a possible switch to DRS in the future?


Edit:

Just noticed this on the Railway Heralds website:

INDUSTRIAL ACTION BREAKTHROUGH

Published at 18:54 on Wednesday 12th September 2012
Tags: DBS, DB Schenker, ASLEF, Industrial Action, Drivers

On 11th September 2012, DB Schenker Class 60 No. 60063, heads south from Darlington with 6D43, the Jarrow to Lindsey empty oil tanks. An acceptance by ASLEF members of the latest offer from DB Schenker may bring an end to the current industrial dispute. Laurie Mulrine

Railway Herald understands that there has been a breakthrough in the DB Schenker (DBS) drivers pay dispute, after talks between the Company and ASLEF took place earlier today.


ASLEF's chief negotiator, Simon Weller, told Railway Herald that an agreement had been reached on both the pay claim and other issues which would be put to his Executive Committee next week with the recommendation that the deal be put to the members. They, in turn, will be asked to vote on the matter.

In the meantime no further strike action will be taken, and the indication is that the restoration of voluntary rest day working could be reinstated as early as next week. Details of the proposed settlement will be announced to the ASLEF members at DBS in due course.

This is good news for the industry, as the proposed settlement covers both the pay claim and the associated issues of manning levels and training, while in the short term the restoration of rest day working could ease the pressure on DBS customers, and charter operators in particular, before the end of the month, as well as easing the backlog of Network Rail infrastructure work.

http://railwayherald.com/uknews/industrial-action-breakthrough

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Hopefully the above item on Railway Herald Website is true and therefore is good news

 

[MidnightFlyer]

BLS's Lowland Growler (from Crewe to various rare and freight only lines around Humberside and the East Midlands) scheduled for Sat 22 September has been postponed for the time being, however, it looks set to take place provisionally in late October, see this from the BLS website Events page:

It is with deep regret that we must advise you that the above tour has been cancelled by the DBS / Riviera Alliance as the present continuing DBS / ASLEF industrial dispute means that staffing for the complete train throughout its route cannot be guaranteed. They have deliberately taken this decision slightly earlier than with some other tours recently in order that intending participants should have as much time as possible to make any alternative arrangements.

...

We are however delighted to advise that alternative negotiations have been taking place within the last few days and provisional agreement has been reached already for the tour to operate in late October, in a manner which will still not be dependent upon a resolution of the current industrial dispute and should still see all the highlights of the tour retained. Further information on this will be provided as soon as details can be confirmed.

The Hunterston Tracker (from Borrowstounness to Hunterston and a load a rare lines in between), another BLS outing on Sat 13 October is unaffected by this industrial dispute and as such is running as per normal.

(For those wondering what on earth Borrowstounness is, what did you think Bo'ness was short for? )

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Oh, Thank you, I did not know that SD only use DBS now. Oh well, it's a 50/50 if I'll be going with them on the 29 Sept then.

Just heard yesterday that the trip I was booked on this coming Sat 29 Sept to Kingswear has been cancelled owing to this dispute which was thought to have been sorted out, but seemingly not. Very disapointing.

I have not had much luck with steam mainline railtours this year, either cancelled owing to industrial action, or diesel traction used owing to the steam loco failing at the last minute.

However any diesel trips that I have been on by UK railtours & HDL have all run very well and have been most enjoyable. I just like steam on the mainline as well.