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Lee   19/02/2016 at 13:54

I think this is the right decision - given the seriousness of what happened, WC clearly shouldn't be operating services until there's absolute certainty they can do so safely. What's quite depressing about it is that it will clearly have a damaging impact on main line steam operation, and has probably made life much more difficult for the companies operating within the rules. Will it affect operation of this year's Jacobite services from Fort William to Mallaig? I sincerely hope not - the local economy has come to depend on the huge amount of money these services bring into the area. Non-operation will result in job losses and possible business failures.

Rupert Le Bere   19/02/2016 at 15:54

West Coast Railways needs to do more than just demonstrate to the ORR that it can operate it's trains safely. It needs to demonstrate it to me and the thousands of others who use their services. I was on the Wooton Bassett incident and still wonder what would have happened if the train has been running 60 seconds earlier. WCRC's public relations machine needs to step up a gear.

JOHN GREENWOOD   19/02/2016 at 16:21

Tangmere incident on the SWT main line caused havoc.

Shefphsodpipe   19/02/2016 at 23:20

Very sad to hear of West Coast Railway Co's loss of their licence, they have contributed so much to the railway charter scene, particularly with steam power and have gained massive support over the years. They need to re-rail themselves quickly, by installing (and retaining) a man who's competent and steadfast enough to lead them forward safely, once more. The man who's previous efforts helped launch Wcrc in 1998 by doing the donkey work in order to obtain their operating licence, a certain Peter Kirk, put into place all of the necessary health & safety and operating standards that was required by ORR at the time. These standards were maintained and strictly adhered to, ably assisted by his right-hand man of that time. These standards were never lowered or compromised whilst he was at the helm, which sometimes led to heated arguments with those involved. He wasn't always the most popular man around and sometimes made enemies because of his strict regime and style of management: Nevertheless, his knowledge and experience was second-to-none and by that he ensured Wcrc's ship was kept on an even keel. He was, without doubt, (then and would be now)the best man for the job. People like Mr Kirk are a special breed of railwaymen,they're not grown on trees, you can't just pick them off a shelf- they're born into the job and for these very reasons, near enough just doesn't become good enough. Bending, shaping and cutting the corners to fit someone into this highly responsible job doesn't work when it comes to railway operations-it becomes a risk too far. A manager of this calibre is what's required to sort out Wcrc's problems and to get them back on top-where they surely belong. It's a Big Ask and it won't be easy but it has to be done; A 'second best' 'one size fits all' attitude simply will not do when it comes to the running of trains. Please don't let this setback be terminal. Managers who are good at their job have to be allowed to manage, to enable them to achieve the required standards, without being made to compromise and without unwelcome interference from the top!!! Don't keep spoiling the ship for a 'haypnee' of tar! Commiserations to Pat Marshall....She certainly deserves better than this, after all her hard work,dedication,toil,sweat and tears.

David Butterworth   21/02/2016 at 23:51

Very sad to learn about this. It seems to me that this might be the final 'coup de grace'- will WCRC ever be able to meet the strict criteria imposed by the ORR or is the company fatally wounded? I hope not. Also what a blow it is to the steam charter operations, which have given much pleasure to many down the years. No doubt there has to be a 'day of reckoning' over the safety issues, but it all seems very heavy handed to me.