West Somerset Railway General Discussion

The point was specific to the WSR and not generally. The reality is that there are paid and volunteer staff at both. Where is your evidence, as opposed to pure speculation, that the two cafes are not profitable?

 

I didn't mention any specific cafes/tea rooms in my response to Paulhitch and nor did he, nor did he mention the WSR either. If you read my post carefully and properly, I was suggesting that generically, these things aren't the cash cows that some would believe. Yes, I don't have evidence for every single cafe but there is plenty of evidence out there to show that I am more right than wrong. Talyllyn and NYMR are two I am familiar with in the heritage railway sector.

 

The thread was clearly in relation to the specifics of the WSR and not Heritage Railways in general. Perhaps you should have made it clear that you were referring to something else. Since that is apparently your point I apologize and withdraw my comments. However, it is well established, that the catering facilities on the WSR are profitable. For example take a look at the WSRA report and accounts.

 

Apology accepted. I don't doubt that the WSR catering facilities are profitable, especially if volunteer labour is used. It may be a WSR thread but, in the best tradition of all these things, thread drift has happened and the wider secondary spend was being discussed.

 

I can't believe you said " thread drift " and WSR in the same sentence !

 

The obvious reply is that it depends how well they are run. No different from commercial catering anywhere. Where tourist railways are concerned they vary from loss making toi intensely profitable.

PH

 

Dare I hazard a guess and suggest "...the other..." would be the husband...?

Ducks and runs for cover...

 

It's probably one of the nicest things anyone has ever said about an accountant really! (Yes, it can be that bad!)

Steven

 

See http://www.wsr.org.uk/news.htm#1037 for latest on Flying Scotsman visit.

 

WSR signalling progress.

We now have a block shelf back in Williton box.



And the work carries on. There are about 2,500 cable terminations to make - about 75 man-days work.



Please note that Williton (and much of the rest of the Railway) is a worksite at the moment. Photos in this post, and the two that follow, taken with permission.

Robin

 

Williton signalling progress - south end

New up starter now has its arm.



Down inner home now has two associated shunts connected.



New up advanced starter.



Post for new down outer home - yet to acquire its arm, close to 'Teddy Bear Crossing'.



View 'down' from mile post 177 II.



Robin

 

Williton signalling progress - north end

New down advance starter



New up outer home - a long way from the station, so just as well this is a motored signal!



Shetland pony expressing delight at resignalling!

 

What's the purpose of the block shelf.

 

Are there any paid jobs on the railway?

 

At the request of a WSR Engineman, and using my extremely rudimentary computer graphic skills (!), I have tried to add in an impression of the new Williton down outer home with its arm in place, as viewed from milepost 177-2.

No doubt we will be able to see in a few days how close this is....

Robin

 

Why are the teddy bears on teddy bear crossing?

 

I have heard members of the public telling each other that this originates from some terrible tragedy years ago.

Truth is usually more banal than fiction. (Listening, Donald?)

It would appear that, many years ago, someone dropped their teddy bear here and someone hung it up on the sign so that it might be noticed / found. And then came another, and another, and another........and so a legend is born.

Whisper it quietly, but there is usually a 'cull' every once in a while before the cuddlies become cadavers under the influence of West Somerset weather......

Robin

 

To keep the bells, plungers and rotating dials on so the Signalmen can be kept amused playing with shiny things between trains, speaking purely as a footplate man you understand (retreats to dug out to avoid in coming flak from all Signalmen).

 

There are quite a lot (30 or 40?) people who are employed on the WSR. If you are asking are there currently any paid jobs vacant, the best way to find out is by looking at this page regularly:

http://westsomersetrailway.vticket.co.uk/article.php/43/vacancies

which shows that there are no paid vacancies at present.

 

Yes I looked there, but hoped there was a chance something hadn't been listed. Guess those who work on the railway are reluctant to give it up for the same reasons I want employment, I'll keep an eye on the page. Thanks.