It is with great sadness that I have to report that Alan Castle passed away last night.
Alan was a dedicated and skilled photographer and journalist, with countless magazine articles and books to his name. He was a regular contributor to this website (particularly his article on the West Lancs Railway) and I have had the pleasure of working with him for several years on the Lostock Hall MPD website and Lensmen forum.
An ever-present figure at the lineside across the North West of England and beyond, he will be greatly missed.
Our thoughts are with the family he leaves behind.
Monday, 18 May 2015
Friday, 8 May 2015
WCRC Suspension lifted
The suspension of West Coast Railway Co's Track Access Agreement, by Network Rail, has been lifted as of midnight last night. It seems that WCRC have managed to satisfy NR's demands and will begin a "phased" reintroduction of services.
Immediately following the reinstatement, the Carnforth company made arrangements to get Stock and locos to Scotland for the Jacobite services, which were due to start this coming Monday.
It seems that WCRC have gone further than the NR stipulations, appointing of additional directors to oversee the safety aspects of the firm, presumably designed to demonstrate a commitment to correcting the shortcomings which led to the suspension.
None of this means that WCRC are yet "out of the woods", since the ORR are still considering the revocation of their licence, but we may get some news on that on 15th May, when the consultation with other TOCs will have ended.
Immediately following the reinstatement, the Carnforth company made arrangements to get Stock and locos to Scotland for the Jacobite services, which were due to start this coming Monday.
It seems that WCRC have gone further than the NR stipulations, appointing of additional directors to oversee the safety aspects of the firm, presumably designed to demonstrate a commitment to correcting the shortcomings which led to the suspension.
None of this means that WCRC are yet "out of the woods", since the ORR are still considering the revocation of their licence, but we may get some news on that on 15th May, when the consultation with other TOCs will have ended.
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