Ooops........

[Sooty655]

This sounds like it could have been very nasty. I'm sure Network Rail would love an excuse to pull the plug completely.

[Vulcan Bomber]

Yes, the footplate crew appear to deserve being hung, drawn and Quartered for that little escapade.

[34053]

I just sincerely hope that this will not cause the 'beginning of the end' for Main Line Steam Excursions.

If the allegations are true, that the Footplate Crew' somehow disabled' the safety warning system in the Cab ('' ... which cancelled the effect of the AWS [Automatic Warning System].......making subsequent AWS or TPWS [Train Protection Warning System] brake demands ineffective'' (RAIB preliminary Report) then this could not be more serious.
With the suspension of WCRC (West Coast Railway Company, the Tour Promoters and who provide the Footplate Crews) some 90% of their Tours were cancelled or 'put on hold', from Friday 3rd April. A lot of disappointed Customers!! (However, I understand that this suspension was lifted on Friday 8th May).

PW

[34053]

This 'SPAD' (Signal Passed At Danger) incident (by the Footplate Crew aboard Steam Locomotive 34067 'Tangmere', at Wootton Bassett Junction on 7th March) has resulted in the ORR (Office of Rail and Road) calling for a 'Safety Summit' . Locomotive Owners, Tour Promoters and Operators will be required to attend (date to be arranged) to discuss 'the future of Main Line Steam'. An 'Improvement Notice' was also issued to West Coast Railways, on 20th May.

One of the proposals by ORR is expected to be the imposition of a limit of 11 Coaches on Main Line Steam Excursions. This, on its own, will have a serious impact upon revenue. Some Charters are frequently loaded to 12 or 13 Coaches. When you consider that (depending upon the price of the Tickets) each Coach could be worth about £5,000 to the Operators. Profit margins are very tight running steam on the Main Line anyway and this could present a major problem for some Operators.

Should you wish to see the 'Improvement Notice' issued by ORR to West Coast Railways, use the 'quick link' below:

http://goo.gl/Pr8ZJ4

PW