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GWSR General Discussion and Operations

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by michaelh, Aug 25, 2013.

  1. nick813

    nick813 Well-Known Member Loco Owner

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    Hello,
    Would be a bit difficult for said magazine to write about other types of railway carriages as the GWSR has nothing but BR Mk1s.
    " Yawn" :-(
     
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  2. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Don't be so horrible! At least we make the best of what we have, steam railway clearly think so anyway if they've come to us about them. Maybe gwr813 would like to help with some more interesting stock... :)
     
  3. Kinghambranch

    Kinghambranch Well-Known Member

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    No it doesn't. I recall at least one Collett parcels coach in the bay at Toddington!
    But then, I know you're just joshing.
    Given the propensity for some heritage railways to now start serious work on older pre-Mark 1 stock, I don't think it'll be too long before more of these coaches become available. Let's hope so anyway. In the meantime, God bless the people who restore any of the coaches on our heritage railways.
     
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  4. michaelh

    michaelh Part of the furniture

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    Sally the Border Collie and I travelled again last Saturday (7 March @ 1445)

    We thoroughly enjoyed our ride

    • The car park at Toddington was busy, but the trains were not crowded - well done to the railway for running full sets so there was plenty of space.
    • The whole railway appeared much tidier and in better nick than last year.
    • There were a lot fewer rotting vehicles around - especially at Winchcombe, where there appears to be a tidying up operation in progress - well done :)
    • The interior of the set we travelled in was up to standard.
    • The volunteers were very welcoming - for the dog , rather than me!
    • Only thing which gave me a shock was the Flag & Whistle Cafe - £3.50 for a Cheese and Onion Sandwich!
     
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  5. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Glad to hear it was more enjoyable this time! Mind you, I think I'm right in saying the choc 'n' cream set you travelled in won't have changed from last time you visited... :p We always run full sets as it's too much hassle to split them, nice to know it's appreciated - no doubt a certain someone will come charging in saying it's not economical... I think the main difference at Winchcombe would be the EE set leaving, that's also interesting, I thought it was looking rather tatty before it left too. And the flag and whistle is franchised out so if you want to mention it, tell the owner, not the railway. Overall much improved then? :)
     
  6. michaelh

    michaelh Part of the furniture

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    Alex - overall appeared much improved yes :) Though I doubt that the ordinary visitor will understand or care that the F & W is not part of the mainstream railway.
     
  7. Bean-counter

    Bean-counter Part of the furniture

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    Michael makes a good point about franchising - the average customer won't realise its is a franchise (that is really the point!) and hence will blame the site owner for pricing. Get a good commercial team in place, and it is a great money spinner and gives the capacity to add many services under the same leadership (our Commercial Director at the NYMR is in his 2oth year with us and he has overall responsibility for the Pullman, charters, 3 tea rooms, a cafe and the trolleys as well as event catering and the Shops, with a team reporting to him. Total Turnover £1.8 million including Pullman Train Fares, contribution to Overheads £0.75 million. It may be hard work, but it is a lot more rewarding to develop such services "in house", even if in a separate division or even Company).

    Steven
     
  8. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    I think it's partly a mindset of "we are all volunteers" - we're rather proud of that but volunteers couldn't run the flag and whistle, just not enough staff, so franchised out instead. I'm sure these things are under constant review - but then again, if enough people are paying those prices then they are going to stay that high!
     
  9. paulhitch

    paulhitch Guest

    You are so right; get uncoupling, you know it makes sense!

    PH
     
  10. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Thing is, as we do it so infrequently, we often end up breaking a vacuum hose as it's too stiff or something or other, so savings on vacuum hoses are offset by coal bills? :p And besides, if Michael appreciated it, no doubt many other visitors will too, and that's something else you're always banging on about...
     
  11. paulhitch

    paulhitch Guest

    There has got to be a better reason for not doing something than that. If the hoses are that elderly there is a good likelihood of their splitting en route which is much worse.

    PH
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 10, 2015
  12. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    I was being a little tongue in cheek, but it is true that they do - just they get stiff AIUI, so in formation are fine. Also finding somewhere to put the spare coaches might prove difficult sometimes, as at least one rake is usually stored in a platform somewhere, although not sure how much room there is in the northern headshunt... It's just generally a bit of a faff to have to split and reform a set depending on circumstances, and sometimes there might be an unexpected busy day and the last thing we want is overcrowding.
     
  13. Kinghambranch

    Kinghambranch Well-Known Member

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    A quick look at the various GWSR blogs will see that the Railway has invested considerable time and money over the last couple of years to make improvements in many areas. All this after recovering from 2 major landslips and pressing on with an extension to Broadway. I'm always impressed with the amount of work going on, particularly that covered by C&W and Andy's trackside culverts site. All aspects of the works going on are important it's just that those 2 sites in particular to me show the amount of hard work required. In the case of the drainage etc, there's been a phenomenal amount of catch-up to do. Regarding the price of food, I guess it is always expensive if you don't bring your own!
     
  14. Ruston906

    Ruston906 Member

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    The average train on the GWR does not require the size of loco that is use so I guess there is very little money to be saved in taking the one coach of the set.
     
  15. Bean-counter

    Bean-counter Part of the furniture

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    Don't forget we may be Railways, but we operate in the leisure market. I am pretty sure our passengers don't come for a recreation of the 08:20 arrival at Liverpool Street! I tend to reckon anything over 2/3 to 3/4 full and it starts to affect how much people enjoy their journey.

    (Wartime and 1940s events excepted, where it is, apparently, part of the experience!)

    Steven
     
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  16. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    How do we reconcile this reckoning with NYMR trains to Whitby, then?;);)
     
  17. Ruston906

    Ruston906 Member

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    I see that 35006 is going to be having its steam test in a few weeks which is more good news more in keeping than other lines as at least the GWR was a two track mainline.
     
  18. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Hopefully it'll be in gauge... We just need the second track! :D I still reckon after Broadway the next focus should be redoubling sections of the line, at least it wouldn't be any extra infrastructure...
     
  19. nick813

    nick813 Well-Known Member Loco Owner

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    Second track? You could make it into one long long siding and fill it Mk1's .......waiting the magic touch from the GWSR C&W
    Wizards!
    Now that would be a linear scrap yard I would visit!
    :D:D:):mad::Android:
     
  20. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Oh don't be so horrible! If we carry on at our current rate there won't be any linear scrapyard for much longer, we'll have to start painting the coahes retained for spares just for something to do! :D
     
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