WCRC loses judicial review in High Court

[Rail Ranger]

The Mark 1 TSO is empty and the exit doors are locked. It begs the question as to why it is in the train? The other two Mark 1s are a brake composite and the buffet car. There is presumably no heat on the train because there is nothing to provide heat.

 

[D1537]

I have seen a photograph of the Jacobite crossing Glenfinnan Viaduct this afternoon. I don't have permission to share the photo however it clearly shows consist of 7 coaches mk2, mk1, mk2, mk1, mk2, mk1, mk2 with no generator van or second loco. I am very curious.

The MkIs all have their doors locked out of use. So WCRC has knocked together a 7 coach train with only 4 CDL-fitted vehicles.

No heat or aircon, of course, with no diesel or generator van.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Is that even compliant?

 

[Greybeard33]

The Mark 1 TSO is empty and the exit doors are locked. It begs the question as to why it is in the train? The other two Mark 1s are a brake composite and the buffet car. There is presumably no heat on the train because there is nothing to provide heat.

Might these Mk2s be fitted with through steam heating connections, so that the three Mk1s can be steam heated from the loco? Some warm air might then penetrate the corridor connections into the Mk2s.

 

[12C]

The MkIs all have their doors locked out of use. So WCRC has knocked together a 7 coach train with only 4 CDL-fitted vehicles.

No heat or aircon, of course, with no diesel or generator van.

Are passengers carried in the Mk1s? I would have thought this wouldn’t be allowed with every door locked out of use in the vehicle. But if not, what’s the point in them being in the rake, especially every alternate coach?

Also I wonder how the CDL is operating, I assume the Mk1s have been modified with through wiring? All very bizarre.

 

[43096]

Are passengers carried in the Mk1s? I would have thought this wouldn’t be allowed with every door locked out of use in the vehicle. But if not, what’s the point in them being in the rake, especially every alternate coach?

Also I wonder how the CDL is operating, I assume the Mk1s have been modified with through wiring? All very bizarre.

I expect the ORR will have a "mystery shopper" up there to see what is going on.

 

[12LDA28C]

Also I wonder how the CDL is operating, I assume the Mk1s have been modified with through wiring? All very bizarre.

CDL can operate from the coach batteries, as it used to in the days of CrossCountry trains when a no-heat loco was provided which could not provide train supply.

 

[12C]

CDL can operate from the coach batteries, as it used to in the days of CrossCountry trains when a no-heat loco was provided which could not provide train supply.

It would need through wiring via the mk1s to be centrally controlled though. As far as I’m aware Mk1 stock wasn’t previously fitted with this.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

CDL can operate from the coach batteries, as it used to in the days of CrossCountry trains when a no-heat loco was provided which could not provide train supply.

But it can’t be centrally controlled unless the mk1s are wired for it.

 

[12LDA28C]

It would need through wiring via the mk1s to be centrally controlled though. As far as I’m aware Mk1 stock wasn’t previously fitted with this.

Yes, you're right of course.

 

[Bertie the bus]

The Mark 1 TSO is empty and the exit doors are locked. It begs the question as to why it is in the train? The other two Mark 1s are a brake composite and the buffet car. There is presumably no heat on the train because there is nothing to provide heat.

As WCRC cancelled all bookings until tomorrow or Friday and then invited some passengers to rebook at a couple of day's notice I would guess the trains aren't very busy at the moment. Whether the MK 1s are empty or not from Saturday will be more interesting.

 

[SteveM70]

especially every alternate coach

That was the first thing I noticed when I saw the photo - why has the rake been formed in this way? There must be a reason?

 

[43096]

Good to see WCRC treating its customers with contempt by not providing them with any heating while charging them £65 for a ticket. It’s not exactly warm up there at the moment.

 

[Greybeard33]

As WCRC cancelled all bookings until tomorrow or Friday and then invited some passengers to rebook at a couple of day's notice I would guess the trains aren't very busy at the moment. Whether the MK 1s are empty or not from Saturday will be more interesting.

According to the WCR website:

Jacobite seats available to book

<p id="isPasted"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><img src="https://wcr-s3.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/gKNS5YEFbkO08fma2NF164iL4gvASPph255dYae6.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib w-full"></p><p id="isPasted"><strong>We are delighted to announce that our world-famous Jacobite service is back up and...

westcoastrailways.co.uk

We do have a small amount of standard class seats available to book for the 18th, 19th and 20th April 2024.

The guard may have a limited number of seats available each day on a ‘Cash Only’ basis. However, these operate on a first come, first served basis and cannot be guaranteed. Available seats can be purchased from the guard at Fort William Station.

 

[Invincible]

Had la websearch for the photo without success, might be in a private Facebook group?. Did notice a post from someone who got a last minute return ticket for the train. Had a coffee in town and returned on the train which seemed to go well but he gave no details about the carriages.

 

[paul1609]

The Mark 1 TSO is empty and the exit doors are locked. It begs the question as to why it is in the train? The other two Mark 1s are a brake composite and the buffet car. There is presumably no heat on the train because there is nothing to provide heat.

At a guess its to even up the braking effect throughout the train to reduce snatching and the risk of wheeelflats.

 

[Notabene]

An out and back journey in an unheated train at this time of year is not very inviting.

 

[paul1609]

An out and back journey in an unheated train at this time of year is not very inviting.

My last train at the K&ESR last week was 15 to 16 degrees unheated @10am. We did put the steam heat up but without it it would have been "coats and jumpers" rather than unbearable or freezing tbh.

 

[mcmad]

try 5 or 6 degrees at 10am up in Mallaig or Fort William still

 

[HamworthyGoods]

An out and back journey in an unheated train at this time of year is not very inviting.

Indeed it’s sounds like a horrendously bodged operation (standard many would claim for WCRC), driven out of panic that LSL have run some trains up there.

 

[renegademaster]

Indeed it’s sounds like a horrendously bodged operation (standard many would claim for WCRC), driven out of panic that LSL have run some trains up there.

Or they wanted to make money and it took a few weeks to clean the mould off some old mark 2s.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

Or they wanted to make money and it took a few weeks to clean the mould off some old mark 2s.

Yes a fear of loosing money so they decide to run a bodged operation by providing unheated trains running in temperatures of 5/6c outside.

Nowhere on the website does it say the trains are unheated and you need to bring warm clothes so I stand by my comment it’s a bodged operation borne out of panic.

 

[renegademaster]

Yes a fear of loosing money so they decide to run a bodged operation by providing unheated trains running in temperatures of 5/6c outside.

Nowhere on the website does it say the trains are unheated and you need to bring warm clothes so I stand by my comment it’s a bodged operation .

I didnt say it wasn't bodged but to automatically jumping to say it was done because of LSL is wrong. The stock doesn't make any money sitting still and the staff are likely on longer term contracts so that is already paid . The only cost that won't be saved from not running is cost of the coal

 

[Garmoran]

Return service approaching Arisaig today

 

[alexl92]

Are these MK2s part of the longer rake that WC have been using in the past few weeks or are they some additional ones?
Thanks