black and decker boy

The doors on the RMB (and support coach) wouldn’t need CDL if marked for staff use only as per the regs.

The formation posted elsewhere and I’ve copied as written is: 47245 leads 45212 5Z12 Jacobite ecs to Crianlarich with support coach 35486, 6000, 6022, 6103, buffet 1860 & 3360.

Being in the trade as it were, traffic management ((cones, signs & diversions), for larger schemes especially, are designed and then vetted and approved by the highway authority. For smaller schemes such as short utility works, in theory the same applies but implementation is generally at a cowboy level. the thing is diversions are set up to be compatible with ALL road users. If the closure is an HGV route, the diversion must be too. Smaller vehicles may have other options but those cannot be signed as a HGV will undoubtedly try and follow and get stuck. We do kind of rely on local knowledge reducing traffic on the official route and following their own knowledge. the other thing to remember is TM operatives are paid minimum wage and spend most of their working life sat in a van watching paint dry/ tarmac set or reading The Sun. For their trouble they get verbally and physically abused, cans of urine thrown at them and increasingly threatened with weapons.

A much shorter thread today :-) Not a subject I know well so unsure of the pros/cons/spin but regardless, good that this has generated debate and hopefully awareness. It won’t make me buy more but equally most certainly doesn’t make me cancel orders ;-) i work in construction where the carbon agenda is gaining momentum, not greenwashing as the past 5 years but meaningful steps to change behaviour , change material constituents and slowly evolve. Legislation is also playing its part with new build now most probably always getting Solar PV and much more insulation than before.

Good for a laugh https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13300541/amp/save-hogwarts-express-stream-trains-disappearing-health-safety-row.html Although interestingly has a quote from DfT that I’ve not seen before A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'The ORR is the independent rail safety regulator, and it would therefore be inappropriate for the department or ministers to intervene in their decision to refuse a further exemption to West Coast Railways, which was upheld by the High Court.' i imagine the last 7 words are the most crucial as it’s those that will put off any political intervention

I think there would be great challenges with seatbelts on trains: no enforcement. Getting a ticket check is random enough without the same staff member having to convince up to 1000 passengers to continually wear a seat belt. zero enforcement on DOO. our trains are not compulsory seating so there will always be standing passengers the joy of trains is the ability to move around: buffet / shops, toilets, general leg stretch. No chance of early warning of an incident like on a plane with the fasten seatbelt signs (plane radar often predicts turbulence) our suburban trains with 3+2 seats are so cramped in peak rush hour that adding seatbelts wound serious discourage travel and probably not be feasible with the current seat structure are our rolling stock structures (floor pans etc) strong enough to hold the weight of the seat plus fully occupied passenger weights (currently only has to restrain the seat structure) there is still going to be loose and therefore airborne luggage as no plane style lockers and often no seat or space under seat for bags. TPWS and ETCS should (and are intended) to reduce the risk of head on collisions. Heavy deceleration due to other incidents (LUMO at Peterborough, the 195s at Grange) resulted in walking wounded but no fatalities AFAIK.

Copied from elsewhere https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/ne ... 4651388736

For balance against the WCRC press team (was shared elsewhere by Defiance149 the other day): https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24231801.jacobite-train-owners-criticised-highland-businesses/ Tourism reliant businesses in the Scottish Highlands have slammed the operator of a "lucrative" steam train service for refusing to comply with safety requirements that would allow it to continue to operate. West Coast Railways (WCR) has suspended the Jacobite service, which runs from Fort William to Mallaig in West Lochaber bringing hundreds of tourists each day in peak season. All heritage operators were told several years ago that in order to operate after March 31 2023 they either needed to fit central door locking (CDL) or obtain an exemption from the rail regulator. WCR's last application for an exemption failed and they made a claim for judicial review, which was rejected. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is considering a further temporary application but said it was "disappointed" that the company has not made "sensible contingency plans for the benefit of their customers.” Businesses say the latest suspension came with little advance warning and has led to cancelled bookings. They fear Summer trade will be hard hit. The service, which featured in 2002's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. takes around 100,000 visitors annually to Mallaig over the spectacular Glenfinnan viaduct. Scotrail operate operates four services from Monday to Saturday and three on Sunday on the same route but has warned it doesn't have capacity to cover the suspension and additional passengers. WCR claim the cost of fitting CDL to all its coaches would be £7million. However, the rail regular estimates the cost at around £350,000 per train and said operators were only permitted to run a maximum of four per day, meaning a potential outlay of around £1,393,960. It said other operators had covered the cost with a "modest" rise in ticket prices. Businesses in Fort William and Mallaig say they have "little sympathy" for WCR, which takes up to 600 passengers a day who are charged £65 for a return ticket and £98 for first class. The equivalent 30-mile journey on the Scotrail sprinter is around £10. Joe Blower runs wildlife cruises from Mallaig in the Summer months taking visitors to the Knoydart peninsula that are timed to fit in with the steam train. He said: “A lot of people come off the steam train, then do a wildlife cruise and grab a coffee or a sandwich then back on the steam train or the bus. So it’s massive for us in the Summer. Over the Easter break we would normally be getting 45-65 people on the wildlife cruise. We are now getting low twenties. “Accommodation is full all year round,” added Mr Blower, who also runs a five-star self-catering business. But that doesn’t substitute for 600-odd people coming off the train and going into the local cafes and restaurants. Mr Blower, who also transports children from Muck, Eigg and Rum to school in Mallaig, said he had little sympathy for the operators of the steam train. “I think it’s outrageous,” he said. “As an operator involved in public transport we are governed by the maritime agency. We have inspections out of the water, in the water every year. If they don't like something you have to put it right, otherwise they will just tie the boat up. How they have got away with this for 20 years, just getting a concession every year and now they have given us a week's notice of the trains not running. He added: “They have made bucket-loads of money out of the Harry Potter train - they are not short of money. They have brought us a lot of business and we are grateful.But on the same score, they need to comply with their regulations just like I do with my boats. Last month they stopped running for a month because there were a few issues and they had to put extra staff on the doors. They took bookings to fill the train all season and not said anything to the local businesses – they have still not. All we get to hear is from their website.” Mr Blower said he has now scheduled extra cruises to fit in with the Scotrail trains. He said: "It’s the same track, it’s the same viaduct, it’s the same scenery and everywhere in Mallaig is open. It’s a blow but the world isn’t going to come to an end. We will adapt." Frazer Coupland, chief executive of Lochaber Chamber of Commerce said businesses were reporting "quite a lot" of cancellations. "Mallaig is struggling," he said. "I think we will be okay this year. The beds will probably still fill because we know it's going to be a busy season and we've lost beds due to the short term let legislation. What I'm less confident about is whether we will fill them with the same demographic of visitors. The people who come on the steam train are not people who come in camper vans. They are a demographic of people who are coming, staying in accommodation, going out for meals and really contributing to the economy. Even though we will fill the beds we might not fill them with the people who are spending the same amount of money. We are not going to fill them with American tourists." Hayley Cant who runs Ashburn Guest House in Fort William said: "B&Bs were closing at Easter as there wasn't the demand. Now, with the problems with the Jacobite I do feel we are all going to struggle," she said. The [owners] of the Jacobite should have just completed the work that was required and has been dodging it for many years now with extension after extension. They make enough money from it and should have completed it." Sine Davis, who owns the West Highland Hotel in Mallaig and chairs the Road to the Isles Marketing Group, said businesses were keen to stress that the area is "still very much open for business". She said: "It is devastating for some of the businesses, especially gift shops, cafes and restaurants in the village. "The worst part of it is the dereliction of communication from WCR about this. They have behave absolutely atrociously and as the owner of a hotel that is over 100 years old we still have to do our health and safety for the sake of the business. The buck stops at WCR as far as we are concerned. They have had years to sort this out and it's a solvable problem and the figures they are giving are a blatant lie. Even if it was £7million, I don't think that is a lot to spend on health and safety. "Mallaig and this area is not a one-trick pony. It's not the end of someone's holiday because they can't get that train. It might be an opportunity for them to see more of the area. Get the early train, go to the beaches. We are a destination, not a passing place." Scottish travel blogger and itinerary planner Kay Gillespie (The Chaotic Scot) said: "Of course, visitors will be disappointed not to travel on the iconic steam train, but there is so much more to this incredible area than its Harry Potter claims to fame. The stunning landscapes, the local businesses, and the scenic journey on the West Highland Line are all still there and shouldn’t be missed." WCR said all passengers booked on the train would be offered a full refund. The company has written to Rail Minister, Huw Merriman to ask for his support in security a permanent exemption, with the backing of eight MPs. The letter states that the company is "asking no more than to be treated in the same way as its peers who are currently operating hinged-door rolling stock on the main line". A spokeswoman for WCR said: "We understand that businesses were disrupted at short notice, however, this was unavoidable as West Coast Railways had submitted its application for exemption and was awaiting a response from the ORR as to whether it would be granted a temporary exemption, while the longer-term application was considered. The £7m estimated cost of fitting CDL was the product of a thorough business contingency planning process carried out by WCR. With over 100 Mark 1 and Mark 2 carriages to fit with CDL, the significant cost could wipe out our profits for close to a decade. "On WCR trains, selective door locking (SDL) and hinged door locks are only operated by staff. They allocate at least one steward to monitor four doors per service, which they believe is sufficient to keep passengers safe. They have also carried out a comprehensive risk assessment that found SDL was as safe as CDL." A Scotrail spokesman said: "ScotRail does not have the additional trains or staff to operate to cover the suspension of West Coast Railways services. This would require the removal of services in other parts of Scotland. We will continue to work with Transport Scotland to provide any support required." -

Risk assessment, as I’m sure you know, is a multiplier of likelihood and consequence. control measure can only affect likelihood. Consequence is a constant. if you fall out of or are close to a hinged door that opens at 100mph, the consequence is pretty horrific / terminal. the likelihood has decreased as slam door stock had been replaced but isn’t 0. CDL further reduces that likelihood. SDL (WCRC control method) relies heavily on human action, it is therefore less reliable as a control measure than CDL the number of recent smaller incidents with SDL suggests a larger incident with far larger impact, is coming. Could be 1 month, 6 months or 6 years but the control measure is proven to be insufficient (2 prohibition notices in short succession tell us the that).

The only reason ORR granted a temporary and short term Teg 5 exemption for the duration of the JR was so as to not prejudice the outcome. They won the JR so no longer need to take such a stance and can merely proceed with diligently considering the new full exemption application. If as suggested this does not include any commitment to fit CDL to the whole fleet, then I would expect that due diligence to take quite some time. I would think ORR (and ministers once briefed) will be very thorough in their assessment with very detailed written notes and responses as they will be expecting a JR from either WCRC (if it’s rejected) or others if it’s approved. ORR can also point out that the Jacobite has 7 coaches (14 for a short spell in high summer) The other 110+ are routinely used on our 100mph mainlines alongside main TOC fleets doing 125mph and passing through and stopping at our busiest mainline stations. All other operators have committed to fit CDL as part of their current short term exemptions. WCRC appear to still be refusing to do so which makes them at odds with the regulator and rest of the industry. Not an easy position to be in and win.

https://westcoastrailways.co.uk/downloads/wcr-mp-letter-26-03-24.pdf So we now know that ORR did turn down the first request for a temporary exemption whilst the main application was / is considered.

I think from reports 518 was up there too but crossed with 676/685 as it headed back south today

Don’t know what is in Group Standards but all modern stock has external lights for door locking

The 5Z40 consist reported elsewhere as 94225 4951 99326 99329 21266 1840 13320 13306. None have external CDL lights apparently

Much talk elsewhere that Mr Smith has suggested (in Trackside mag) he may run free trains between FTW and Mallaig it will be a huge gamble to prod the regulator in such a way and I’d imagine either won’t get a Right Away from NR or will have an ORR inspector with a Prohibition Notice pad waiting for it at the first station stop. The RSR99 guidance published by ORR makes clear the only exemption from ‘fare paying’ is for those in a train support capacity. it could also simply be a stock move for route learning & crew training.

Quote from Heathrow this morning was that they have something like 146 security lanes in total across the airport so that is a lot of machines to exchange, commission etc not withstanding keeping the airport operational and completing any structural works. what tickles me is whilst there is a load of angst in U.K. about the delays, no one seems to have asked if the rest of the world are doing the same. having been in Mallorca recently, there was no sign of any upgrades in progress to their scanners so chances are, you’ll still be limited to 100ml bottles etc when flying home. that’s if you remembered to obtain your ESTA to travel into the EU and consented to having your fingerprints taken at the border, all of which kick in for us foreign types this autumn.

I suspect its crew training runs that opportunistically are being offered to the public but pay-on-day tickets a 37 to Mallaig for £40 will draw out a few tractor bashers but maybe very few normals who happen to be around the station given a scotrail fare is under £20

More info on the LSL trains here: https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2024/04/west-highlander-day-trips-to-run-on-scotlands-jacobite-line-next-week.html Tickets will be available as a ‘pay on the day' basis priced at £40 per adult and £20 for those under 16s.

Yes, I believe there will now be 2 Midland Pullman sets with various extra PCs and trailers having been processed through Eastleigh at regular intervals. i think the short lived RCS HST set has now gone blue.

I think the reality with Pacers is starting to bite with a few of those preserved now being stripped, up for sale or heading for scrap. Yes LSL have restored a couple for novelty trips but how many others are going to get the same treatment. at least with LHCS you can swap vehicles and locos to retain a service. sprinters could work out in the medium term but U.K. doesn’t have a great record in mainline running of preserved units (certainly since 1994) but sooner or later we may run short of 1960s built locos to run up our scenic lines.

We have generated 498kwh so far this year, half of which, 243kwh, was in March. The bulk was exported.

Again, you fall into the trap that this is just about the Jacobite doing it’s summertime trips to Mallaig. it is in fact about the whole WCRC fleet that operates at up to 100mph on up to 5 services per day on our mainlines U.K. wide. 2 recent safety breaches on WCRC doors were noted in the court judgement (neither were Jacobite) plus we know the prohibition notices on last years Jacobite relate to WCRC not following their own safety procedures with regard operation and stewarding of the doors. A door opening at 100mph is a very serious safety hazard, a door opening as a train is moving in a platform is a serious safety hazard. Clearance to lineside structures is permitted to be as low as 150mm nowadays so an open door would strike and do significant damage. ORR have not reinvented the Railway Safety Regulations 1999 which are quite clearly written. The Court agreed that the implementation of those regulations by ORR was legal and proportionate hence finding in favour of ORR.

Anything fitted with CDL doesn’t need a Reg 5 exemption. only mark 1 s need a Reg 4 exemption (end pillars and crash-worthiness). WCRC currently operating 2 rakes of MK2s fitted with CDL with no exemptions needed or provided. Other WCRC rakes of MK2s should follow but note that WCRC had stripped some of its MK2s of its BR era CDL so has now had to refit. Vac braked stock is a bit of a red herring as WCRC last year bought all the Riviera Trains mk1 fleet all of which were dual or air only. The second Jacobite rake was formed of MK2s anyway. All of the steam locos used on the Jacobite in recent years have been air brake fitted (all Riley’s).

Paragraph 77 of the court judgement is what you need to read. WCRC in their exemption submission stated it wanted to run between 1 and 5 services per day. So neither ORR or the Court have ridden roughshod over poor Mr Smith. WCRC estimated cost per vehicle at £30k and a total bill of £3m for the fleet. WCRC had then inflated that to £7m by including lost revenue but the Court struck that out as no evidence was offered by WCRC so as far as the judgement is concerned, £3m for the full fleet is as bad as it gets. (ORR also countered this by saying short exemptions were on offer to give a transitional period to fit the coaches without loss of revenue - WCRC effectively lost this opportunity by not having a plan B ready to go if they lost the JR and seemingly still not having a Plan B 4 months later as they have applied for a new exemption that offers zero CDL fitment)

The statement in the court judgement was from Network Rail not ORR. even 5 services a day equates to a core fleet of around 60 vehicles rather than 130. I don’t think their original exemption even listed 130 vehicles but hey Ho, that seems to be part of the West Coast smoke & mirrors BS