West Coast Railways
Industry |
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Founded | 1998 |
Headquarters | Carnforth, United Kingdom |
Website |
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The West Coast Railway Company Limited, trading as 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 1998 the company became the first privately owned company to be given a licence as a train operating company.
History
Before 1998
After British Rail closed the Lakeside branch to passengers on 6 September 1965,[1] 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.[2] 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 a mecca for steam enthusiasts from 1967.[3]
In 1974 Sir Bill McAlpine became a shareholder in the company,[2] allowing his LNER A3 Pacific No.4472 Flying Scotsman to make Carnforth its home.[4] McAlpine subsequently acquired a controlling interest in the company, in order to fund the purchase of the complete site including the track from BR.[5]
In light of McAlpine's declining interest, in 1990 his controlling interest in Steamtown Railway Museum Ltd was sold to David Smith, who over the following years has bought out most 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 still exists today as the holding company, and operates an extensive railway repair and operating facility on the site. Smith later set up the West Coast Railway Company Ltd, as a train operating company.[2]
Operations
West Coast Railway Company (WCR) today is a spot hire company which provides locomotives, stock and crews to other companies within the rail industry. The company operates charter trains throughout the year, many of which are hauled by steam locomotives, and has grown to become the UK's leading special trains operator. The company now provides most of the stock and crews for steam workings on the national network plus a large amount for diesel tours as well. 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.
West Coast are noted for their ownership and operation of steam locomotive 5972 "Olton Hall" under the guise of "Hogwarts Castle" for the Harry Potter film series, with the "Hogwarts Express" train being featured in each of the films.
March 2015 SPAD and operating license suspension
On 7 March 2015, the 16:35 return up/east bound Cathedrals Express 1Z67 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).[6][7][8] The incident occurred around one minute after the up/east bound First Great Western service 1L76, the 15:28 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).[6][7][8][9] The signal was being maintained at danger to ensure the safety of train 1L76 after it had passed through the junction, as is standard practice.[7][9]
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".[7] According to the RAIB, the SPAD was caused by driver error, after the driver manually switched off the Automatic Warning System (AWS) and Train Protection & Warning System (TPWS) on approach to a temporary speed restriction in the area of line immediately after signal SN43, the signal before signal SN45.[7] These were not reactivated on approach to signal SN45;[7] as a result, the train was not automatically stopped by the safety systems as it passed the signal at danger.[7] 700 yards (640 m) down the line, the train was manually brought to a stop by the driver; it came to a rest across Wootton Bassett Junction.[7]
Following an initial response by WCR to NR over the incident, NR expressed “concern at the WCR demonstrated controls, communication and commitment" considering them inadequate.[8] Following a further meeting on 30 March 2015 between both parties, in an unprecedented reaction NR suspended WCR's operator's licence effective from midnight 3 April 2015.[6][8] Previously operators have been banned from certain routes, but this was the first total network ban since privatisation.[8] The suspension notice states:[6]
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 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 the cancellation of many scheduled WCR operated railtours during the period of suspension.[10]
On the 8th May 2015 at 12:01am, Network Rail lifted the track access ban off the company. [11] This meant that the company could continue its scheduled tours for the coming months including the first of the Jacobite railtours.[12][13]
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 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 a Non-Executive Director are being appointed before services recommence.
On 9 December 2015, the Office of Rail and Road announced that the WCRC 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.[14]
November 2015
On 24 November 2015 it was reported that the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) had temporarily prohibited West Coast Railway Company Ltd from operating steam trains on the mainline rail network, following an initial investigation into an incident near Doncaster on 2 October 2015 when LMS Stanier Black 5 45231 The Sherwood Forester was hauling a WCRC 'Spirit of the Lakes' charter train and the footplate crew of the engine had switched off the Train Protection & Warning System (TPWS) isolation equipment which is designed for applying an emergency brake if the driver makes an error.[15]
Services
WCR operates several regular steam-hauled excursions every summer. The most famous of these trains 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 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.
The steam-hauled Scarborough Spa Express operates from York to Scarborough three times a week between July and September.
In 2007, West Coast Railways took over operation of the 'Cambrian Coast Express' running over the Cambrian Coast 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 ERTMS signalling on the Cambrian Coast, which necessitated new in-cab signalling equipment, the seasonal steam services had to cease running.
In 2014, WCR brought back a former steam train service for 2015 called 'The Dalesman' which runs from York to Carlisle via Normanton, Wakefield, Leeds, Keighley, Skipton, Hellifield and the Settle-Carlisle Line. The tour is diesel-hauled from York to Hellifield and steam traction takes over the train at Hellifield and travels along the Settle & Carlisle line to Carlisle.
Train Operating Company
WCR provides locomotives, stock and crews for many railtour organisers across the country. It also provides crews to some organisations, such as SRPS and Vintage trains, who own their own stock. WCR act/have acted as TOC to the following companies:
- Nenta Traintours
- PMR Tours
- The Railway Touring Company
- Saltburn Railtours
- SRPS Railtours
- Statesman Rail
- Steam Dreams
- Vintage Trains
- Compass By West Coast (Formerly Compass Tours)
- North-East Railtours
- The Royal Scotsman
Former companies operated with:
- Budgie Transport (Ceased railtour operations in 2011)
- Compass Tours (Ceased trading in 2014, company with similar name now operating)
- Daylight Railtours (Ceased trading in 2004)
- Railtourer (Ceased trading in 2013)
- Shepherd Neame (Ceased tour operations in 2013)
- Spitfire Railtours (Ceased trading after financial difficulties in 2012)
Routes
Routes commonly operated over by WCR include the nearby Cumbrian Coast Line and Furness Line, Little North Western Line, the Settle-Carlisle Line and the West Highland Line. The company utilises several sidings at Hellifield railway station, south of Settle Junction, where the lines to Carlisle and Carnforth diverge, allowing easy access to the WCR home base.
Depots
The headquarters and main depot is at Carnforth MPD. The former London Midland and Scottish Railway depot coded 10A has workshops for steam and diesel locomotives, and also carriage and wagon facilities to maintain the company's fleet of Mark 1 & 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, West London. "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 a base for the stock and locomotives for its "Jacobite" service. The DMU Depot at Machynlleth has also been used previously for the Cambrian trains, but due to the line having the new ERTMS system fitted which presently isn't compatible with steam locos the services had to cease.
Rolling stock
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 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 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 (DRS), 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 former Arriva Trains Wales/Virgin Trains locomotives from Porterbrook Leasing.
The company's coaching stock consists of vacuum and air plus dual braked Mark 1 and Mark 2 coaches, mostly painted in the British Railways maroon livery, albeit with West Coast Railways branding on the bodyside. Some of these coaches were built as BR Pullman coaches.
Fleet details
Steam locomotives
Locomotives listed here may be operated by West Coast Railway Company assuming they have the appropriate mainline certification. They are not owned by WCRC and are made available to operate by their respective owners who are listed.
Some engines may not now be operated on the mainline because their mainline or boiler ticket has expired or may be on display away from the national network. 5972 Olton Hall is currently on a 2-year loan agreement from November 2014 to the Warner Bros Studio Tour in Leavesden for their Harry Potter tour.
Updated: 11 February 2016
Key: | Operational | Under Repair | Expired Mainline Certificate/Withdrawn from Service/Stored | Under overhaul/restoration | Due to be certified in near future | Undergoing testing/Mainline Certification | Operational, Heritage Railway/Museum |
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Diesel Locomotives
All locomotives below are owned and operated by West Coast Railways.
Key: | In service | Under Repair/Overhaul | Stored | Spares Donor | Currently non-operational on Network Rail |
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Number | Class | Name | Livery | Date Acquired | Into Traffic | Previous Operator | Status | Max Speed | Location |
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03196 | 03 | - | BR Blue | July 2002 | July 2002 | ex-British Rail | Stored | 15 mph | Carnforth |
D2381 | 03 | - | BR Green | March 1976 | March 1976 | ex-British Rail | Stored | 15 mph | Carnforth |
08418 | 08 | - | EWS Red | August 2010 | November 2010 | ex-EWS | Depot shunter | 15 mph | Carnforth |
08485 | 08 | - | BR Blue | August 2010 | September 2010 | ex-EWS | Depot shunter | 15 mph | Carnforth |
08678 | 08 | Artila | Glaxo Blue and Black | November 1994 | November 1994 | ex-Glaxo, Ulverston | Under repair | 15 mph | Carnforth |
33025 | 33 | WCR Maroon | September 2005 | November 2005 | ex-Direct Rail Services | Under Overhaul | 80 mph | Southall | |
33029 | 33 | WCR Maroon | September 2005 | March 2006 | ex-Direct Rail Services | Operational | 80 mph | Southall | |
33030 | 33 | - | DRS Oxford Blue Original | September 2005 | N\A | ex-Direct Rail Services | Spares Donor | 80 mph | Carnforth |
33207 | 33 | Jim Martin | WCR Maroon | September 2005 | November 2005 | ex-Direct Rail Services | Operational | 80 mph | Carnforth |
37214 | 37 | WCR Maroon | May 2006 | May 2006 | ex-Preservation | Spares donor | 90 mph | Carnforth | |
37516 | 37 | Loch Laidon | WCR Maroon | February 2009 | June 2009 | ex-EWS | Operational | 90 mph | Carnforth |
37517 | 37 | - | Loadhaul | December 2007 | N/A | ex-EWS | Stored | 90 mph | Carnforth |
37518 | 37 | - | WCR Maroon | October 2013 | October 2013 | ex-Ian Riley | Operational | 90 mph | Carnforth |
37668 | 37 | - | WCR Maroon | December 2007 | October 2014 | ex-EWS | Operational | 90 mph | Carnforth |
37669 | 37 | - | WCR Maroon | March 2011 | March 2015 | ex-EWS | Operational | 90 mph | Carnforth |
37676 | 37 | Loch Rannoch | WCR Maroon | November 2007 | November 2008 | ex-EWS | Under repair | 90 mph | Carnforth |
37685 | 37 | Loch Arkaig | WCR Maroon | December 2007 | May 2010 | ex-EWS | Operational | 90 mph | Carnforth |
37706 | 37 | - | WCR Maroon | December 2007 | December 2008 | ex-EWS | Operational | 90 mph | Southall |
37710 | 37 | - | Loadhaul | December 2007 | N/A | ex-EWS | Spares donor | 90 mph | Carnforth |
37712 | 37 | - | WCR Maroon | December 2007 | June 2008 | ex-EWS | Stored | 90 mph | Carnforth |
47194 | 47 | - | Railfreight | September 2005 | N/A | ex-Fragonset | Spares donor | 95mph | Carnforth |
47236 | 47 | - | RfD | December 2006 | N/A | ex-Fragonset | Spares donor | 95mph | Carnforth |
47237 | 47 | WCR Maroon | January 2011 | July 2011 | ex-Advenza Freight | Operational | 95mph | Southall | |
47245 | 47 | - | WCR Maroon | April 2004 | April 2006 | ex-HNRC | Operational | 95mph | Carnforth |
47270 | 47 | Swift | BR Blue | May 2010 | May 2010 | ex-Preservation | Under repair | 95mph | Carnforth |
47355 | 47 | - | Fragonset | May 2010 | N/A | ex-European Metal Recycling | Stored | 95mph | Carnforth |
47368 | 47 | - | Railfreight | December 2006 | N/A | ex-Fragonset | Spares donor | 95mph | Carnforth |
47492 | 47 | - | Rail Express Systems | March 2010 | N/A | ex-Preservation | Spares donor | 95mph | Carnforth |
47500 | 47 | - | WCR Maroon | December 2009 | July 2010 | ex-EWS | Stored | 95mph | Carnforth |
47526 | 47 | - | BR Large Logo | December 2006 | N/A | ex-Fragonset | Spares donor | 95mph | Carnforth |
47746 | 47 | Chris Fudge 29.7.70-22.6.10 | WCR Maroon | March 2011 | October 2013 | ex-Preservation (BT4F) | Operational | 95mph | York |
47760 | 47 | - | WCR Maroon | February 2007 | April 2008 | ex-EWS | Operational | 95mph | Carnforth |
47768 | 47 | - | Undercoat | March 2011 | N/A | ex-Preservation | Stored | 95mph | Carnforth |
47772 | 47 | - | Rail Express Systems | June 2008 | N/A | ex-EWS | Stored | 95mph | Carnforth |
47776 | 47 | - | Rail Express Systems | February 2007 | N/A | ex-EWS | Stored | 95mph | Carnforth |
47786 | 47 | Roy Castle OBE | WCR Maroon | February 2007 | October 2008 | ex-EWS | Operational | 95mph | Derby |
47787 | 47 | Windsor Castle | WCR Maroon | February 2007 | February 2008 | ex-EWS | Under repair | 95mph | Carnforth |
47802 | 47 | - | WCR Maroon | September 2014 | August 2015 | ex-Direct Rail Services | Operational | 95mph | Carnforth |
47804 | 47 | - | WCR Maroon | February 2007 | June 2007 | ex-EWS | Operational | 95mph | Carnforth |
47826 | 47 | - | WCR Maroon | April 2005 | June 2005 | ex-Virgin Trains | Operational | 95mph | Carnforth |
47832 | 47 | - | WCR Maroon | September 2014 | October 2014 | ex-Direct Rail Services | Operational | 95mph | Derby |
47851 | 47 | WCR Maroon | April 2005 | June 2005 | ex-Virgin Trains | Operational | 95mph | Carnforth | |
47854 | 47 | Diamond Jubilee | WCR Maroon | June 2003 | February 2004 | ex-Virgin Trains | Operational | 95mph | Carnforth |
57001 | 57 | WCR Maroon | January 2011 | March 2011 | ex-Freightliner | Under repair | 75 mph | Carnforth | |
57005 | 57 | - | Advenza Freight Blue | January 2011 | N/A | ex-Advenza Freight | Stored | 75 mph | Carnforth |
57006 | 57 | - | WCR Maroon | April 2011 | June 2012 | ex-Advenza Freight | Operational | 75 mph | Carnforth |
57313 | 57 | - | WCR Maroon | January 2013 | April 2013 | ex-Porterbrook | Operational | 95 mph | Carnforth |
57314 | 57 | - | WCR Maroon | January 2013 | April 2013 | ex-Porterbrook | Operational | 95 mph | Carnforth |
57315 | 57 | - | WCR Maroon | January 2013 | March 2013 | ex-Porterbrook | Operational | 95 mph | Carnforth |
57316 | 57 | - | WCR Maroon | January 2013 | March 2013 | ex-Porterbrook | Operational | 95 mph | Carnforth |
57601 | 57 | - | WCR Maroon | November 2003 | February 2004 | ex-Porterbrook | Under repair | 95 mph | Carnforth |
Preserved locomotives
Bold = Current number
Pre Tops Number | Tops Number | Class | Name | Livery | Owner | Status | Location | Photograph |
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345 | 40145 | 40 | - | BR Blue | Class Forty Preservation Society | Operational | Bury | |
D1762 | 47580 | 47 | County of Essex | BR Blue (with Union Jack) | Stratford 47 Group | Operational | Carnforth | |
D1755 | 47773 | 47 | - | BR Two-Tone Green | Vintage Trains | Operational | Tyseley | |
D1656 | 47798 | 47 | Prince William | Royal RES | National Collection | Operational | York NRM | |
D407 | 50007 | 50 | Hercules | BR Blue | Boden Rail Engineering | Operational | Washwood Heath | |
D417 | 50017 | 50 | Royal Oak | Network SouthEast | Boden Rail Engineering | Operational | Washwood Heath | |
D1015 | ~ | 52 | Western Champion | BR Maroon | Diesel Traction Group | Operational | Kidderminster | |
D9000 | 55022 | 55 | Royal Scots Grey | BR Blue | Beaver Sports (Yorks.) Ltd | Operational | On Hire to GBRf | |
D9002 | 55002 | 55 | The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry | BR Green | NRM | Operational | Shildon NRM | |
D9009 | 55009 | 55 | Alycidon | BR Blue | Deltic Preservation Society | Operational | Barrow Hill | |
E3137 | 86259 | 86 | Les Ross | 1960's BR Electric Blue | Les Ross | Operational | Willesden |
See also
- Accidents and incidents involving West Coast Railways
References
- ↑ Butt 1995, p. 115
- 1 2 3 "Obituary - Dr Peter Beet". The Guardian. 7 December 2005. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "Steamtown miniature railway". Mike Hanson. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- ↑ "Steamtown Museum, carnforth". BBC Domesday. 2012-02-06.
- ↑ "Steamtown early 1970s". Mike Hanson. Retrieved 2011-01-02.
- 1 2 3 4 STATEMENT - West Coast Railways suspension notice, Network Rail, 2 April 2015
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rail Accident Investigation Branch (27 March 2015), "Dangerous occurrence at Wootton Bassett junction, Wiltshire", www.gov.uk
- 1 2 3 4 5 http://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/2015/04/02/west-coast-railways-operating-licence-suspended
- 1 2 Johns, Cedric (8 April 2015). "SPAD stops Tangmere at Wootton Bassett". Heritage Railway (Horncastle: Mortons Media Ltd) (201): 59. ISSN 1466-3562.
- ↑ http://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/download/Important.pdf
- ↑ STATEMENT – Network Rail revoke West Coast Railways suspension notice, Network Rail, 8 May 2015
- ↑ http://railwayherald.com/uknews/network_rail_lifts_wcr_ban
- ↑ http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/statement-network-rail-revoke-west-coast-railways-suspension-notice
- ↑ "ORR prosecutes West Coast Railway Company and train driver over signal incident". Office for Road and Rail. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
- ↑ "ORR issued prohibition notice on WCR". Railway Herald. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to West Coast Railway Company. |
Coordinates: 54°07′52″N 2°46′22″W / 54.1311°N 2.7727°W
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