Carnforth MPD (Motive Power Depot) is a former London Midland and Scottish Railway railway depot located in the town of Carnforth , Lancashire , England.
77-670: West Coast Railways (WCR) is a railway spot-hire company and charter train operator based at Carnforth MPD in Lancashire . Using buildings and other facilities previously owned by the Steamtown Carnforth visitor attraction, in June 1998 the company became the first privately owned company to be given a licence as a train operating company . After British Rail closed the Lakeside branch to passengers on 6 September 1965,
154-659: A Class 47 were repainted into a revised maroon livery, officially known as Royal Scotsman Claret, based on that of the Royal Scotsman carriages. In late 2005, WCR sold its two operational Class 37 locomotives (nos. 37197 and 37261) to Direct Rail Services , and received four Class 33 locomotives in exchange. As of 2011, WCR started investing in more Class 57 locomotives, bought from Advenza Freight , Harry Needle Railroad Company , Freightliner and Porterbrook . The company's coaching stock consists of vacuum and air plus dual braked Mark 1 and Mark 2 coaches, mostly painted in
231-671: A Non-Executive Director are being appointed before services recommence. On 9 December 2015, the Office of Rail & Road (ORR) announced that the WCR and the driver of the train involved in the incident at Wootton Bassett were to be prosecuted for offences contrary to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 . An initial hearing was scheduled at Swindon Magistrates Court for 11 January 2016. The case came to trial at Swindon Crown Court on 27 June 2016. WCR and driver Melvyn Cox both pleaded guilty. WCR
308-534: A base for the stock and locomotives for its Jacobite service. The Transport for Wales depot at Machynlleth has also been used previously for the Cambrian trains, but due to the line having the new ETCS system fitted which presently isn't compatible with steam locos the services had to cease. The company owns and operates a fleet of diesel locomotives , which are primarily used to haul charter trains, but have also been hired to other railway operators. The fleet
385-641: A group of enthusiasts chaired by Dr. Peter Beet formed the Lakeside Railway Estates Company, with the idea of preserving both the line and Carnforth MPD, to provide a complete steam operating system. After agreeing to rent out part of the Carnforth MPD site, but with the counter the development of the A590 road meaning that the complete vision was unsuccessful, Beet developed the visitor attraction Steamtown Carnforth, which became
462-506: A huge strain on local locomotive servicing facilities at Carnforth. Therefore, in late 1942, the Government agreed to fund the construction of a new shed at Carnforth, to allow for the new and planned level of locomotive servicing requirement. Built on the site of the former Furness facility and opened in 1944, it allowed for the servicing of many more locomotives, and together with highly mechanised supporting infrastructure greatly reduced
539-514: A locomotive and support coach was reversing. On 24 November 2015 it was reported that the ORR had temporarily prohibited WCR from operating steam trains on the mainline rail network, following an initial investigation into an incident near Doncaster on 2 October 2015 when 45231 The Sherwood Forester was hauling a WCR 'Spirit of the Lakes' charter train and the footplate crew of the engine had isolated
616-512: A mecca for steam enthusiasts from 1967. In 1974, Sir Bill McAlpine became a shareholder in the company, with his 4472 Flying Scotsman making Carnforth its home. McAlpine subsequently acquired a controlling interest in the company, in order to fund the purchase of the complete site including the track from British Rail. In light of McAlpine's declining interest, in 1990 his controlling interest in Steamtown Railway Museum
693-569: A mecca for steam enthusiasts, then facing a national ban on steam traction on the BR network. With the assistance of the Lancaster Railway Circle, an increasing number of steam engines arrived at Steamtown from 1967 onwards. However, although backed by then transport minister Barbara Castle , the need to build a number of motorway bridges and re-routing of the A590 road from Haverthwaite via Greenodd to Plumpton Junction, meant that
770-535: A minute after the up/east bound First Great Western (FGW) service from Swansea to London Paddington passenger service approaching via the South Wales Main Line from Badminton, Gloucestershire and operated by an InterCity 125 set, had cleared the junction at 100 miles per hour (160 km/h). The signal was being maintained at danger to ensure the safety of the FGW train after it had passed through
847-486: A new exemption application to the ORR in March 2024 to allow the busy summer programme to run as normal for themselves alongside other railtour companys. Carnforth MPD Completed in 1944 on the site of the former Furness Railway depot, its late construction in the steam locomotive age resulted in its long-term use and conservation by British Railways . Targeted as part of a preservation scheme, when this failed it
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#1732775931456924-586: A number of Royal Ordnance Factories , were located in Cumbria and the Northwest coast, out of range of the bombers of the Nazi Luftwaffe . Consequently, when World War 2 did break out, staff moved and additionals were recruited to these facilities. The raw materials going in and requirement of distribution of output, the transport result was a relative boom in both freight and passenger traffic. With
1001-467: Is The Jacobite (named for the historic Jacobite political movement ). It runs along the West Highland Line from Fort William to Mallaig , crossing Glenfinnan Viaduct . It runs Monday to Fridays from the middle of May until the end of October and also runs at weekends from the end of June until the end of August. In 2011, WCR added a second Jacobite service, leaving Fort William in
1078-435: Is a non-ministerial government department responsible for the economic and safety regulation of Britain's railways, and the economic monitoring of National Highways . ORR regulates Network Rail by setting its activities and funding requirements for each Control Period , ensuring train operators have fair access to the railway network, and enforcing compliance with its network licence. ORR also regulates High Speed 1 ,
1155-997: Is a holding company, and operates a railway repair and operating facility on the site. Smith later set up West Coast Railways, which operates heritage steam and diesel trains on the national UK railway network. Ex Midland locomotives known to have been based at Carnforth or based at Carnforth in preservation include: 44767 George Stephenson , 44871 , 44932 , 45110 , 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier , 45690 Leander , 45699 Galatea , 46115 Scots Guardsman , 46441 & 48151 . Classes of locomotives which weren't based at Carnforth in LMS and BR days are also based at or were formerly based at Carnforth include: 5972 Olton Hall , 34016 Bodmin , 34067 Tangmere , 34073 249 Squadron , 35018 British India Line & 61994 The Great Marquess . 54°07′52″N 2°46′22″W / 54.1311°N 2.7727°W / 54.1311; -2.7727 Office of Rail %26 Road The Office of Rail and Road ( ORR )
1232-414: Is mainly composed of Class 37 and Class 47 locomotives, but also includes Class 57 locomotives, including the prototype passenger locomotive 57601. Several Class 37 locomotives were purchased from Ian Riley Engineering , which ceased its spot-hire operations in mid-2004. In 2005, WCR won the contract to haul The Royal Scotsman luxury train. As a result, its two operational Class 37 locomotives and
1309-732: The Cambrian Coast Express running over the Cambrian Line from Machynlleth to Porthmadog and Pwllheli and renamed it The Cambrian . The service ran from the last week of July until the end of August between 2007 and 2010. Before the 2011 season, WCR issued a statement stating that due to Network Rail 's implementation of the new European Train Control System (ETCS) signalling on the Cambrian Coast, which necessitated new in-cab signalling equipment,
1386-534: The Channel Tunnel , and also acts as the appeal body, controls the network statement and monitors the competitive situation of rail services in Northern Ireland. It is the competition authority for the railways and enforces consumer protection law in relation to the railways. From April 2015, ORR assumed responsibility for monitoring National Highways' management of the strategic road network –
1463-622: The Department for Transport ). ORR regulates the High Speed 1 line between St Pancras and the Channel Tunnel. This line is operated by HS1 Ltd, and is separate to the rest of the national railway network operated by Network Rail, but ORR regulates it in much the same way. This includes holding HS1 to account for its performance, service and value for money for passengers and the freight industry. ORR regulates health and safety for
1540-574: The Furness Railway soon afterwards after taking control of the ULR. The Furness Railway built their own Engine Shed west of the Station; and it is this Shed which was later developed into the present facility. In the 1870s architect William Tite redesigned the station and layout, allowing Midland Railway trains access. The regionally competing London and North Western Railway (LNWR) took over
1617-599: The Infrastructure Act 2015 . Network Rail – the owner and operator of most of the railway network in England, Scotland and Wales – operates under a network licence. ORR holds Network Rail to account through the network licence which includes conditions relating to its management of the railway network, information provision and safety obligations. ORR is also responsible for setting Network Rail's outputs and funding requirement for each Control Period , including
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#17327759314561694-579: The Lake District and the coast of Cumberland beyond made it an ideal transport hub point. Carnforth railway station opened as a single platform wooden structure for access to the then village, but was made into a permanent stone structure by the Lancaster and Carlisle Railway (L&CR) in 1846. In 1857 it became a junction station when the Ulverston and Lancaster Railway used it, as did
1771-748: The Secretary of State for Transport for a fixed term of up to five years. The current ORR Chair is Declan Collier, appointed in January 2019. John Larkinson is Chief Executive Officer. ORR employs approximately 350 people, with offices in London, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester and York. ORR is the main provider of railway industry statistics in Britain. ORR publishes a range of statistics about railway performance, rail usage and safety – to support performance evaluation, analysis and decision-making for
1848-610: The Settle and Carlisle Line . Pickups for the tour included Preston , Bamber Bridge (until 2011), Blackburn , Clitheroe and Long Preston . In June 2018, West Coast Railways ran a service on the Windermere branch line between Oxenholme and Windermere after Arriva Rail North cancelled all trains on the line in the short term in an attempt to fix the disruption and cancellations around their network. Former companies operated with: Routes commonly operated over by WCR include
1925-566: The Train Protection & Warning System equipment which would have applied the emergency brake if the driver made a safety critical error. On 26 November 2015 it was reported that a service had moved at Bath Spa , approximately 1 meter, with the doors open and passengers boarding. On 1 December 2015 it was reported that an Improvement Notice was served on WCR following an inspection at Southall Railway Depot , due to issues around managing health and safety risks. On 17 February 2016
2002-477: The United States involved in the war from 1941, planning for Operation Overlord the invasion of Europe began. The Port of Liverpool and the west coast ports of Scotland were key to importing war machinery and supplies from North America, as well as distributing US Army and Canadian Army troops across England for training, initially in the northwest and northeast. The combination of these factors put
2079-529: The government's Road Investment Strategy and licence, and advises the Secretary of State for Transport on the funding levels and performance requirements for each Road Period. In carrying out its railway functions, ORR must discharge its statutory duties, which are its formal objectives. These are laid down in section 4 of the Railways Act 1993 , and include the protection of the interests of users and
2156-494: The 16:35 east bound Cathedrals Express operated by WCR ( Bristol Temple Meads to Southend East ) approaching from Chippenham , headed by Battle of Britain class No. 34067 Tangmere and 13 coaches passed signal SN45 at danger at Wootton Bassett Junction on the Great Western Main Line , overrunning the signal by 700 yards (640 m) and coming to a stand blocking the junction. This occurred less than
2233-466: The 2016 season. The tour originally ran from York to Scarborough travelling via Normanton and Wakefield Westgate with steam haulage throughout. From 2016 the tour ran once a week from Carnforth to Scarborough traveling via Hellifield and Leeds with steam haulage only between York and Scarborough. From 2023 the tour now follows the same routing from 2016 but now runs with steam haulage throughout. In 2007, West Coast Railways took over operation of
2310-408: The 2018 season, WCR used the path formerly used for Fellsman trains and re-branded it as The Pendle Dalesman . The routing and pickups remain the same, but the pickup at Long Preston has now been dropped. From 2009 until 2018, West Coast Railways provided motive power and coaches for The Fellsman which was run by "Statesman Rail", the tour started in Lancaster and ran to Carlisle traveling via
2387-500: The British Railways maroon livery, albeit with West Coast Railways branding on the bodyside. Some of these coaches were built as British Railways Pullman coaches. Until January 2024 the company's hinged door coaches were locked and unlocked from a simple sliding bolt by one of the train stewards for each coach. West Coast Railways had previously applied for an exemption which was intended to expire on 29 February 2024, however
West Coast Railways - Misplaced Pages Continue
2464-533: The Depot was spread over two different sites. Resolution of that deficiency had to wait until after the advent of War. From 1936 onwards under instruction from the Air Ministry 's Sir Kingsley Wood , in a programme headed by Herbert Austin many key industries in London and the industrialised Midlands, had created a shadow factory to enable production should war break out. Many of these shadow factories, plus
2541-589: The Furness Shed at Carnforth was closed - the LNWR [Code, Sub of Preston No 27] and Midland Sheds continuing in use for the time being. It was only the largest three constituents of the LMS [LNWR, L&YR and Mid] which used Shed Codes. In 1935, the LMS reorganised the Operating Department; and introduced one composite list of Codes to cover the entire system. And Carnforth became 11A - even though
2618-496: The Jacobite until the issues discovered were rectified. Service was resumed on 21 August 2023. In January 2024, The Office of Road and Rail issued West Coast Railways with a certificate of revocation for the exemption of its hinged door rolling stock with immediate effect from 11 January (the exemption was originally intended to expire on 29 February). Following the revokation of their exemption to run hinged door rolling stock until
2695-581: The L&;CR, and created a jointly - This growth continued from the late-Victorian era to post World War II and into the early 1950s. At its height Carnforth handled up to 100 trains a day of holidaymakers, commuters, freight and fuel bound for the seaside, cities, ports and industrial centres. When the Midland Railway reached Carnforth in 1857, it developed a small roundhouse depot and maintenance shed to service its locomotive stock. In Midland days,
2772-501: The Lakeside Railway Estates Company, with the idea of preserving both the line and Carnforth MPD, to provide a complete steam operating system. Negotiations with BR resulted in an agreement to buy the majority of the Lakeside branch, and at Carnforth rent out: the former wagon works; west side sidings; and 3-roads of the former MPD. Beet formed Steamtown Railway Museum Ltd, and the resultant visitor attraction Steamtown Carnforth became
2849-421: The ORR issued a Prohibition Notice to WCR preventing it running its heritage rail services on the mainline railway. The notice related to concerns about WCR's management of safety, following a number of incidents over the past year. Under the terms of the notice, the company was not able to operate trains on the mainline network until the ORR was satisfied its governance and operations meet industry practice. Steps
2926-480: The Office of Road and Rail revoked the exemption with immediate effect from 11 January 2024. Each of the company's coaches which are now operated on the mainline for either steam or diesel railtours now need to be fitted with Central Door Locks operated by a member of staff. With the company needing to supply dual braked Mark 1 and Mark 2 coaches for the full programme of railtours for 2024, West Coast Railways submitted
3003-567: The Shed was coded "31". The building is still in use as a light industrial facility. In the 1880s the LNWR had rebuilt the small 2-road L&CR facility south of the station into a standard-pattern LNWR 6-road facility. At the railway grouping in 1923 , the London Midland and Scottish Railway was created by amalgamation of the MR and the LNWR, together with other railway companies. About 1925,
3080-460: The access charges paid by train and freight operating companies to Network Rail for the use of its infrastructure. ORR then holds Network Rail to account against the delivery, performance and service levels set out in its final determination. ORR is concerned with the regulation of Network Rail as the monopoly owner of much of Britain's railway infrastructure. It does not play a direct role in regulating fares (responsibility for this lies with
3157-437: The afternoons from the start of June until the end of August running on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 2012 saw this second service increase to five days a week, between June and August. In July 2023, all services were suspended following an inspection by the ORR. The morning services resumed on 9 August and the afternoon services restarted on 18 August. In January 2024, WCR announced that discussions were being made regarding
West Coast Railways - Misplaced Pages Continue
3234-508: The cancellation of many scheduled WCR operated railtours during the period of suspension. On 8 May 2015, Network Rail lifted the track access ban off the company. This meant that the company could continue its scheduled tours for the coming months including the first of the Jacobite railtours. Network Rail has confirmed that it reinstated West Coast Railway Company's track access agreement as of 00:01 this morning, five weeks after suspending
3311-419: The company were required to take included: the introduction of clearer governance structures with proper accountability for safety; more robust risk assessments; and enhanced processes for managing staff with a focus on safety culture. Ian Prosser, HM Chief Inspector of Railways at ORR, said the decision to revoke the company's safety certificate had "not been taken lightly". On 23 March 2016 the track access ban
3388-465: The company's fleet of Mark 1 and Mark 2 carriages. The site includes extensive sidings plus a paint shop. The company's second base is the former Great Western Railway depot at Southall Railway Centre in West London which it has occupied since 2008. "The Green Train" is based here, used on "The Cathedrals Express". For half of the year the company also uses part of Fort William depot as
3465-593: The complete vision was unsuccessful. This caused a split within the Lakeside Railway society in 1970, with one part of the group forming the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway to operate the residual line, taking four of the engines with them. Steamtown continued under the leadership of Dr Beet, who developed it as a major regional visitor attraction. This included the purchase of both SNCF Chapelon Pacific No. 231.K.22 , Deutsche Bundesbahn oil-fired 012 Pacific No. 012 104-6 (né 01 1104), and
3542-533: The conditions contained in Network Rail’s and train operators’ licences, to help ensure that all rail users get the service to which they are entitled. National Highways operates, maintains and improves England's strategic road network, operating under a licence (managed by the Department for Transport). ORR monitors and enforces the performance and efficiency of National Highways against the outputs set out in
3619-412: The development of an extensive 15 in ( 381 mm ) miniature railway. In 1974 Sir Bill McAlpine became a shareholder in the company, allowing his LNER A3 Pacific 4472 Flying Scotsman to make Carnforth its home for many years. Subsequently, McAlpine acquired a controlling interest in the company, in order to fund the purchase of the complete site including the track from BR. Even after
3696-436: The end of February, West Coast Railways issued a statement: “We are extremely disappointed by this decision. We remain committed to working with the ORR to agree how we can safeguard the future of our heritage services". "We are already considering a range of options and have asked the ORR to allow the current exemption to run its course, to give us time to put forward detailed proposals". In March 2024, WCR Announced that due to
3773-409: The entire mainline rail network in Britain, as well as London Underground, light rail, trams and the heritage sector. ORR has a team of more than 100 rail health and safety inspectors and professionals who have powers of enforcement. Their remit is to ensure that the railway is safe, and is kept safe, at a reasonably practicable cost. A primary role for ORR is to enforce consumer law and compliance with
3850-471: The holding company, and operates an extensive railway repair and operating facility on the site. In June 1998, West Coast Railway Company was granted an operating licence to become a train operating company . WCR is a spot hire company which provides locomotives, stock and crews to other companies within the rail industry. The company operates charter trains, some of which are hauled by steam locomotives. The company provides stock and crews for steam workings on
3927-558: The junction, as is signalling practice. The incident was investigated by track owner Network Rail (NR), the Office of Rail Regulation and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB). The RAIB launched an investigation into the incident on 27 March, releasing a statement in which they described the incident as a "dangerous occurrence". According to the RAIB, the incident was caused by driver error, after
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#17327759314564004-568: The line, the train was manually brought to a stop by the driver; it came to a rest across Wootton Bassett Junction. WCR and NR met on 30 March 2015. NR subsequently expressed the view that at that meeting "WCR demonstrated that its controls, communication and commitment following the recent SPAD were inadequate" and that since then "the response by the senior management of WCR to the issues raised" had been "inadequate", suspending WCR's operator's licence effective from midnight 3 April 2015. Previously operators had been banned from certain routes, but this
4081-702: The mainline steam ban was removed in the early 1970s, the site remained a hub for both enthusiasts and major servicing point for steam locomotives and associated rolling stock. The museum's own stock developed with the purchase of some ex-industrial shunters, and three hulks from Woodham Brothers scrapyard at Barry Island : GWR 6959 Class No.6960 Raveningham Hall ; SR Merchant Navy class No.35005 Canadian Pacific ; GWR 5600 Class No.5643. McAlpine's interest declined, and resultantly so did Steamtown through lack of investment. In 1990 McAlpine's controlling stake in Steamtown Railway Museum Ltd
4158-566: The motorways and main 'A' roads in England – and advising the Secretary of State for Transport on the levels of funding and performance requirements for each Road Period. ORR was established as the Office of Rail Regulation on 5 July 2004 by the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 , replacing the Rail Regulator . It became the Office of Rail and Road on 1 April 2015 following ORR's appointment as Monitor for National Highways under
4235-530: The national network, and for diesel tours. The headquarters, engineering base and depot are at Carnforth, where locomotives and stock are stored and maintained, and where contract work is undertaken for other operators. WCR own and operated steam locomotive 5972 Olton Hall under the guise of Hogwarts Castle for the Harry Potter film series , with the Hogwarts Express . On 7 March 2015,
4312-507: The nearby Cumbrian Coast line , Furness line , Little North Western Line , Settle & Carlisle line , and the West Highland Line . The company utilises several sidings at Hellifield , south of Settle Junction , where the lines to Carlisle and Carnforth diverge, allowing easy access to the WCR home base. The headquarters and main depot is at Carnforth MPD . The former LMS depot coded 10A has workshops for steam and diesel locomotives, and also carriage and wagon facilities to maintain
4389-515: The need for operational manpower. Both the LNWR and the Midland Sheds were closed at this juncture. The new facilities included a 70-foot turntable, which could turn LMS Pacifics. On nationalisation in 1948, British Railways inherited an almost brand new depot (Code:11A), which was bigger—due to a lack of war activity—than was required. This allowed them to close a number of other local and older or less efficient sheds, and secondly to keep
4466-441: The ongoing deliberation between WCR and the ORR for a new exemption on central door locking is expected to take four months and that should their exemption request be rejected, Jacobite services would not be run for 2024. The morning Jacobite services restarted on 15 April 2024 but at a shorter length and a reduced capacity. As of May 2024, the afternoon Jacobite services are yet to restart. In July 2002, WCR began to operate
4543-522: The ongoing issues with their coaches all Jacobite services which were due to start on 28 March were to be suspended until further notice. A new exemption request was submitted to the ORR on 8 March to allow the use of their MK1 and MK2 coaches for their 2024 railtour season alongside 2024's Jacobite services. In April 2024, it was confirmed that the deliberation for a new exemption request would take four months. WCR operates several regular steam-hauled excursions every summer. The most famous of these trains
4620-513: The organisation over safety concerns. In a letter to West Coast Railway Company, Paul McMahon, Director for Freight at Network Rail, said that the company welcomed the commitment WCR has made to improving safety through changes to the Safety Management System (SMS), and the appointing of a new Director/General Manager, Head of Safety and Non-Executive Director. The new interim Head of Safety, Alex McGregor, from Lloyds Register and
4697-435: The other two, the suspension notice will be withdrawn. The required steps include introducing a risk-based driver monitoring regime, and demonstrating that there is an effective and secure system of tamper-evident seals for train protection isolator cocks on all relevant traction. WCR stated that it was in negotiations with NR regarding the terms of the suspension, and also with other train operating companies in order to prevent
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#17327759314564774-707: The promotion of competition, efficiency and economy in the provision of railway services. ORR’s duties as the Monitor for National Highways are set out in section 12 of the Infrastructure Act 2015. These require that ORR must exercise its functions in the way it considers most likely to promote the performance and efficiency of National Highways. ORR also has a role within The Railways (Access, Management and Licensing of Railway Undertakings) Regulations 2016. Like other public authorities, ORR must comply with
4851-466: The rules of administrative law, and is amenable to judicial review , so it must act lawfully, rationally, proportionately and in accordance with the relevant rules of procedure. Although operationally independent of central government as a non-ministerial government department , it is still covered by legislation such as the Freedom of Information Act 2000 . All members of the ORR board are appointed by
4928-443: The seasonal steam services had to cease running because there isn't yet a system available for fitment in steam locomotives. In 2014, The Dalesman was brought back after a few years absence. The tour started at York and travelled to Carlisle via Normanton , Wakefield , Leeds , Keighley , Skipton , Hellifield and the Settle & Carlisle line . The tour was diesel-hauled from York to Hellifield where steam traction took over
5005-463: The shed open longer than many when the decision to modernise traction to electric and diesel came. The Code was changed to 24L in 1958; and became 10A [the code it is known by nowadays] in 1963. Carnforth MPD remained relatively unchanged from its reconstruction in 1944, until it closed in 1968. BR closed the Lakeside branch to passengers on 6 September 1965, and to all traffic two years later. A group of enthusiasts chaired by Dr Peter Beet formed
5082-454: The steam-hauled Scarborough Spa Express operated from York to Scarborough three times a week between July and September. After a steam ban on the eastern region in 2014 which resulted in the season being axed a restricted season ran for 2015 over three days in October. This was once again put into place for three days in October 2016; the tour was also renamed The Scarborough Flyer for
5159-524: The tour would for one week run from Carnforth to York via Hellifield and Keighley and then the following week would run via Preston , Blackburn and Brighouse . As of 2020 these trips are still running in place of the original Scarborough Spa Express trains; the tours start off diesel worked from Carnforth with a steam loco taking over in York. Following the transfer of The Fellsman to "Saphos Trains" and operation changed to Locomotive Services Limited after
5236-562: The train and travelled along the Settle and Carlisle line to Carlisle and then back to Hellifield. It had been planned to run only on Thursdays for 2016 but due to a landslip north of Appleby on the Settle and Carlisle line, The Dalesman did not run again until 2017 when the line re-opened. In 2016, to replace The Dalesman season, a new set of tours of The Scarborough Spa Express were run from Carnforth to Scarborough with steam haulage being between York and Scarborough. Alternating each week
5313-551: The traincrew isolated the Automatic Warning System and Train Protection & Warning System on approach to a temporary speed restriction in the area of line immediately after signal SN43, the signal before signal SN45. These were not reinstated on approach to signal SN45; as a result, the train was not automatically stopped by the safety systems as it passed the signal at danger. 700 yards (640 m) down
5390-555: The viability of running a third Jacobite service. This service would however only run from Fort William to Arisaig , departure was set to be at 17:43 and arrive at 19:43 (a half hour long break at Glenfinnan is to be included). The return arrival at Fort William was provisionally going to be 21:18, this idea was later abandoned. In March 2024, WCR Announced that due to the ongoing issues with their coaches all Jacobite services which were supposed to start on 28 March were to be suspended until further notice. In April 2024, WCR announced that
5467-423: Was a total network ban unprecedented since privatisation. The suspension notice states: Network Rail has had concerns about WCR's performance of its Safety Obligations for some time, and recent events lead Network Rail to believe that the operations of WCR are a threat to the safe operation of the railway. If five of the seven required remedies are completed by May 15, with demonstrable progress towards completion of
5544-455: Was developed as major visitor attraction Steamtown Carnforth. Today, closed as a museum, it acts as the major national operational base of West Coast Railways . Carnforth was not an important or well developed village before the Victorian era railway age, but was geographically strategically located to make it so. While supplies of limestone made it interesting, access into Westmorland ,
5621-597: Was fined £200,000 and £64,000 costs. Cox was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for eighteen months. He was also ordered to do 80 hours unpaid work. On 13 June 2015 it was reported that a service had moved forward at Reading at the same time as the doors were open. This was attributed to a miscommunication between the guard and the driver. On 19 August 2015 it was reported that the company had no systems in place for keeping drivers updated with route changes, instead getting updates from other operators, and no system for managing driver training. On 5 September 2015 it
5698-438: Was lifted. On 25 September 2018, the ORR, after extensive review and consultation with other affected parties, renewed West Coast Railway safety certificate for a period of five years. On 9 June 2023, a safety inspector attended the Jacobite service and found issues which were considered a breach of Health and Safety. A prohibition notice was issued, coming into effect on 15 June 2023, preventing West Coast Railways from running
5775-485: Was reported that a service had hit the buffer at Weymouth . This was not reported to the ORR , contrary to RIDDOR rules. On 15 September 2015 it was reported that risk assessments for steam operation were outdated, and staff were unaware of them. On 2 October 2015 it was reported that a service had an unauthorised TPWS activation at Doncaster signal 264 at Hexthorpe Junction, between Doncaster and Conisbrough , whilst
5852-436: Was sold to David Smith, who over the following years has bought out most of the minority shareholders. With increasing Health & Safety Executive regulations, and an increased reliance on revenue from supplying and servicing steam locomotives to power enthusiast trains, the commercial decision was taken not to reopen Carnforth as a museum or visitor attraction for the 1998 season. Steamtown Railway Museum still exists today as
5929-429: Was sold to David Smith, who over the following years has bought out the majority of the minority shareholders. With increasing Health and Safety Executive regulations, and an increased reliance on revenue from supplying and servicing steam locomotives to power enthusiast trains, the commercial decision was taken not to reopen Carnforth as a museum or visitor attraction for the 1998 season. Steamtown Railway Museum Ltd
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