Fewer Mainline Steam Tours potentially - Edit: WCRC Ban lifted

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Negan
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WCRC have been banned from running steam tours on Network Rail Metals until NR are satisfied that they have made changes due to a SPAD at Wootton Bassett in March

NR Suspension Notice:
http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/statement-west-coast-railways-suspension-notice

RAIB investigation
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dangerous-occurrence-at-wootton-bassett-junction-wiltshire

Looking at UK Steam Info, there are a fair number of 'Cancelled' notices against imminent tours run by WCRC.
Let's hope they get this sorted quickly and are back on the mainline running tours, this ban must be hurting the bottom line!
 
So only until 15th May or until WCRC demonstrate compliance.

Some other operators over the last couple of years have been getting a little slack on safety matters and there have been warnings of the need to improve floating around the industry for some time.

It's not just steam trains that are affected but anything that runs under WCRC safety case, so there will be a lot of pressure to quickly resolve.

It rather looks less about the incident but more about it being compounded by the inadequate WCRC management response that brought about the temporary ban.

However, WCRC have issued a response to say that the booked trains will utilise a competitors safety case and license until the issue is resolved. Same stock, etc, just that they will be overseen by AN OTHER safety case.

From their website:-

Dear Fellow Traveller

Passenger safety is our number one priority.

You may have read or seen news relating to Network Rail (owners of the lines used by West Coast Railways) and West Coast Railways. A recent breach of safety regulations involving one of our trains crossing a red light has lead to discussions by both parties to establish how this happened and more importantly the preventative measures in place to ensure it can’t happen again. Although no one was injured in any way West Coast Railways consider this to be sufficient to carry out a full
internal enquiry with the support of Network Rail and at this time will not be running trains under their current used licence.

However all trips remain unaffected and will run as normal under licence of another operator, using the same vintage Mk2 carriages, passengers will not be affected and all schedules including the Jacobite will continue as normal.

Safety is a primary importance to both west Coast Railways and Network Rail and as such both parties MUST be absolutely satisfied with the safety measures in place to prevent any such future happenings, through continued discussions and when both parties are satisfied it is hoped that West Coast Railways will resume operation under licence.

Should you have any questions regarding this please email bookings@westcoastrailways.net

Many Thanks

http://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/download/Important.pdf
 
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Well, let's hope it is only temporary, and that WCRC are able to prove they have the correct safety cases and training in place.
UK Steam Info is looking very Red at the moment though.
 
I am guessing that without access to the Network Rail track WCRC would not have much of a business and so will do what ever is needed to get the licence back.
 
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