Alessio Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 I don't know how many forum users were aware of the dispute between the West Coast Railway Company and Network Rail the steam ban imposed by NR's LNE region on WCR. Anyway, for those that are interested, here's a link to the 'Access Dispute Adjuducation' document covering the investigation of this argument. http://www.accessdisputesrail.org/New%20ADC%20Web/Access%20Dispute%20Adjudications/ADA20%20Documents/ADA20%20determination.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Wow what a huge document. Far to much to read. I'm not too bothered about main line steam. Standing by the track waiting for a 10 second glimpse of a loco seems to me to be a waste of time. Rather go to a heritage railway. Each to his own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2e0dtoeric Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Thanks for that, Alessio. As stated near the beginning, if NR was properly clearing the lineside and between line scrub, there would have been nothing to burn. No consideration seems to have been given to the customer's point of view - ie they had paid for a charter run that was STEAM hauled, not diesel hauled or pushed. Twice, recently, I have been on (expensive) steam charter runs to different locations, which merely had the steam engine as decoration, and the diesel did all the work, and therefore feel cheated out of my money. How many of these 'Heritage' lines that are steam hauled have regular line-side fires? Not many, I suspect! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Sorry Alessio didn't mean to be dismissive. I guess NR just want an easy life, they don't give a toss about their customers whether a TOC or a humble passenger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobblinwheel Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 I hate that "Diesel did all the work" business. Here in States, most mainline railroads REQUIRE that diesels accompany steam excursions. They claim it's "nessessay" in case the steamer breaks down and ties up the tracks. Heck, I remember years ago when a DIESEL loco broke down, and a steam-powered excursion train came along and pushed it home! HA! I think a Diesel in consist ruins the "steam excursion" experience, as in many cases, the steamer is just being "pushed around"! What's the fun in that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessio Posted November 22, 2014 Author Share Posted November 22, 2014 WTD, no offence was taken! It is a long doc, I haven't read it all fully. I can understand the argument for a diesel on the back, but when it's tucked inside the steam engine and doing the work it's pretty pointless. I think NR just can't be bothered to make the effort, which is a shame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Often the diesel is used to supply heat and power. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2e0dtoeric Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 They have ETHAL's for that, WTD! (ETHAL - Electrical Train Heat and Light, I think is the translation). Usually a converted coach, or sometimes an old diesel bodyshell with just a generator in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 They do 2e0 but they also use a diesel if needed when ethals on holiday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2e0dtoeric Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Reminds me of that old song - The Streak - (Don't look Ethal!) How's that for a dubious link to railways! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Postman Prat Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 They have ETHAL's for that, WTD! (ETHAL - Electrical Train Heat and Light, I think is the translation). Usually a converted coach, or sometimes an old diesel bodyshell with just a generator in it. H1 2eOd Diesel locos are used on steam specials to provide heat as most, if not all, coaches are electric heating (note: I can only generalise re coaches) Obviously, they are also 'insurance' in case somethise goes wrong with the steam loco. The ETHELs (Electric train heating ex locomotives) were scrapped years ago. There were three of them, class 25, and they were mainly for train heating on the West Highland line, pending the arrival of the cl 37/4. One or more were transfered south and used, for a short time, on steam railtours. They retained their engines and generators but the traction motors were isolated and therefore they could not move under their own steam (forgive the pun!!) Generator coaches are something I know nothing about, other than there aren't many of them!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graskie Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 I've been on plenty of steam excursions where no diesel assistance was required. They spoil the whole ambience if immediately behind a steam loco rather than the normal support coach, never mind if at the rear. I have been on the odd steam trip where diesel power had to be called on, though, to get people home because of steam loco failure (notably DoG after storming Shap a few years ago). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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