SVR General Discussion

Thanks! I genuinely think that posting the weekend loco roster a few days earlier would bring more business to the line. This is meant constructively!

 

I gather it is put more or less the same day as the loco roster is sent out to the crews.

 

Shropshire planning has the plans for the Bridgnorth redevelopment:
https://pa.shropshire.gov.uk/online...ils.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=O0YI6MTDK4T00

 

I suppose this is the best (least worst?) thread for this -- obviously I shan't complain if the mods think otherwise. So...

The SVR is almost alone among major heritage lines in not having a general/enquiries email address listed on its main website.* There isn't even a form to fill in. I really don't understand this. I went to the sites of the first seven lines I thought of (GWSR, NYMR, Bluebell, Llangollen, ELR, WSR and Swanage) and all of them have such email addresses published on their sites. Surely it's in the SVR's interest that potential customers should be able to contact them as easily as possible?

* Unless it's very well hidden! I'm aware that there are email links for Membership and Charitable Trust enquiries.

 

Not ever needing it I was not aware that the SVR dont publish a general e-mail address. Individual officers have e-mail addresses for internal comunication purposess. Iwill ask the question

 

The other one.8188 test runs.

 

Must have been a last minute arangement as nothing in the paperwork other than the line was under posetion by PW

The EE Type 1 was either D8188 or D8059. I suspect the later as its fresh out of shops

 

D8188 is fresh out of the shops and was on test runs today. There are pics around on Facebook. I don't know how it was set up, whether it was top and tail or whatever

Patrick

 

I am glad D8188 is back and working hopefully they will be out working as a pair at the gala again

 

Only D8188 when it left Kiddy at about 1 ish on Friday.

 

Our monthly Express Points ezine is available to download. In particular the web round up is full of stories and items you may have missed

http://www.svrlive.com/Documents/WEB ROUND UP 03.2016.pdf

 

I asked the question and herewith the reply

"If we receive a call asking for an email address, we tend to ascertain which department they are after and then give a contact/email address. There is an administration requirement with a generic email address and resource in the office is limited. Also, from past experience they seem to attract a lot of spam and/or spurious requests"

 

Many thanks for your help. I'm not very impressed with the reply, though -- all the other lines I named seem to manage, and presumably the factors mentioned apply to them as well. Here's what the Safari Park has -- a web-based form with a simple "human check" at the end to counter automated spambots. Something like that would be fine. The SVR isn't a two-bit operation; it's a major tourist attraction with over 200,000 visitors a year. As such, I find its stance disappointing, especially in view of the fact that it's clearly not the norm in the heritage railway sector.

On another note: what's the Local Residents Railcard actually for these days? I used to have one, but that was some years ago. The 2016 version doesn't seem to offer any advantages over annual membership -- it's several pounds more expensive, offers fewer benefits and (unlike in the past) can only be purchased in person at Comberton Place. Not very friendly to Bridgnorth residents! I've already advised one or two acquaintances to steer clear and go for membership instead, even if all they're interested in is getting discounted travel.

 

I hope you dont mind if I dont comment on the reply. I passed it on in full.

 

On the first point, I agree it isn't really acceptable.

The Local Residents Railcard is valid for the holder and one other (or 2 children) at the priv rate. Having just checked, I see it is now £25 which is a bit, though Joint membership would be £31 for one year and £88 for 3 years. That said, it isn't valid at galas.

 

Of course not, and thank you again.

The mischievous thought does occur that questions like those I've posted here are just the sort of thing I'd choose to ask by email if I had the choice! They're too long for Twitter, I don't use Facebook, phone and in-person are no use if an answer isn't immediately to hand and post is slow.

Thank you, too. I'd forgotten that the LRR discount applied to a second person as well, and that does give the railcard a bit more of a purpose than I'd imagined. It's a shame it's been made so difficult to buy in the first place, though: I used to have one myself, back in the half-price days, and I'm pretty certain I picked up a leaflet from Bewdley station and did the rest by post.

I like the concept of the LRR, and would even if I didn't live locally -- it gives locals some reassurance that the SVR isn't only interested in schools, for one thing. The Annual Family Pass (now £175!) surely isn't aiming at the same market. Obviously the SVR management see much more detail on finances etc than gets released publicly, so I'm sure all these factors have been considered.

 

But that's still the equivalent of 9 days travel at full price for just one person.

 

I'm thinking of coming down to the SVR over Easter. Any idea of engines that are likely to be running?

Thanks in advance...