West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Found it, does anyone know if there’s later running trains? Know it’s not a wsr event but should bring in more person to railway.

Wonder how much the bus fares are?

 

A non-diesel enthusiast writes: I used to see the one or two of these trundle through Clapham Jct, I thought they looked quite good, anyway they were nice change from the usual 66's & 67's.

 

Helen of Troy eh? Sounds like a lot of fuss was made over a very unattractive woman...!

 

It would have been one and only still in existence, 33001, on the Bluebell. I love it.

 

Will there be a WTT/Loco roster available to buy for the Diesel Gala, I might be tempted to come if there is

 

It'a amazing how each train is appropriate to the platform it's on.

Steam and station - entirely appropriate and matching - and then to have the 67 alongside with it's side cladding matching the building behind.... That must really have taken some organising.
Well done whoever organised this.

 

Been back at York since 2004.

Steven

 

I hadn't noticed that, but now you mention it it gives a whole new dimension to the photo.

 

Ah, that would explain why I didn't see it last time I looked round the Bluebell's loco shed.

 

There seems to be no extra trains. The bus times do not seem to synchronise too well but a day trip from Taunton to Lynmouth - by bus/train/bus - does seem possible. The bus organisers haven't made any attempt to include the trains as part of their event. I can't see any details of bus fares. Shame as some kind of online/social media promo would seem possible, even though the total spend on fares might deter some folk.

It's much the same with the Watchet music festival which has some big names this year and looks to be even more popular than ever. I've long considered a train service from Taunton might be helpful (and profitable). I wonder of the festival organisers ever consider working with the WSR/GWR to make this happen? Maybe it's already been discussed and discarded as not needed.

Steve

 

@AnthonyTrains2017 Re bus fares: I understand "[bus] travel is free but programs are £3".

Steve

 

I've attended a number of old bus running days, including most of the Taunton events, and none of them have ever charged bus fares. I think there are either licensing or insurance restrictions that prevent fares being applied and am sure the Minehead/Lynmouth event will also be free to ride. There is an email address for the organisers within this page, should anyone wish to check with them before setting out:

http://www.quantockheritage.com/minehead-porlock-lynmouth

Most, if not all, of the old bus services call at Minehead railway station and some services also call at Bishops Lydeard station, so it should be possible to combine bus and train into a good day out. I can't make it, due to a prior engagement aboard the Wealden Pullman, something I am very much looking forward too.

Incidentally, the organisers of this Minehead/Lynmouth event used to provide vintage buses for a free Taunton to BL service during WSR gala events, so have certainly worked closely with our Railway in the past.

As for Watchet Music Festival, I understand a Watchet-based former plc chairman is an active member of the organising committee, so there might well be scope for Railway involvement in transporting folk to the event. I'm going to be there this year, although I've already paid for car parking. Perhaps next year.

Barrie

 

It's that time of year again folks, we are approaching the time of the Association AGM so the usual plea from me.

The WSRA is your Association, assuming you are a member (If not then why not?). Only members can offer themselves for election to the post of trustee at the AGM.
If you have an interest in helping the Association and more importantly the Railway to move forward then please consider putting your name forward as a prospective trustee.
Nominations open from the 8th May and the forms will be available on the Association web site for download at this time. I'm going to assume if you can log into Nat Pres then you'll be able to download and complete the form from here: https://www.wsra.org.uk

It would be splendid if we had more nominations than we had seats on the trustee board. Something of a long held ambition of mine as many of you might recall.

Those interested in applying or in joining feel free to PM me or e-mail me via the Association site if you have specific questions.

End of advert until next year! - Thanks for reading.

 

Mike, I support your call for people to step forward and help on this board. We also need nominees for the Steam Trust and the PLC board. If the railway is to continue to succeed, then there must be willing volunteers for these such roles.
I would just add that it wasn't that long ago that we did indeed have contested elections for the WSRA board.....

Ian Coleby
PLC chairman

 

Rather telling that the Steam Trust and the Plc Board also need nominees. Perhaps this is a reminder that the organisational structure on the WSR - and its mission - could be improved by some radical changes. A new charitable trust with its own commercial arm, could reduce the required number of volunteer directors and also reduce some of the current very essential cross-organisational groups. The present Boards are doing a great job in the circumstances. But it could be simpler and yet more effective. Only the Plc, Steam Trust and WSRA (if the will is there) can together start the change process. But seems no appetite. Meanwhile, it seems we had similar pleas for nominees last year, this year, and probably next year and every year thereafter...

Steve

 

It has always been my belief that the supporters of the WSR should be part of the PLC, the sooner this happens, the better! I hope it happens soon.

DJB.

 

There were also secret appointments made that weren't made public at the AGM only a few days later. Thankfully, we are in a totally different world today. The railway is working "as one" and perhaps we will see some further mergers as sections no longer feel the need to keep themselves at arms' length. I think that having a separate WSRA has some merits as it gives the WSRA some space in which to have its own ideas that compliment the plc. It also allows part of the railway to benefit from charitable allowances that may not be open to the plc. The trick is to keep it that way and one method is for working volunteers to join at the discounted rate.

 

Ian

Well said. Talent with a willingness to serve is always in short supply.

The process for election to the WSRA Board of Trustees is well understood - nomination with two seconders by the appropriate deadline.

The process for election to the WSR plc Board or the WSSRT Board is less well understood. Given that the WSR plc AGM papers must be in prospect shortly, what is the process / deadline for nominations to the WSR plc Board to go on the ballot papers to shareholders (and for the WSSRT Board)?

Robin

 

Robin, For the PLC its very clear in the articles. No 117 I think. The Trust is their article no 35. As the Trust AGM was last Saturday the moment has passed for now. In both cases it is just a case of writing to the secretary within the appropriate timeframe. The details are in the articles.

Ian Coleby
PLC Chairman

 

Steve, my personal view (and not my view as PLC chairman) is that you are probably right. If we were to start the whole thing over again, we would probably do it differently.
Notwithstanding that, it would be a complex thing to do and at the moment I fear the PLC, Trust, WSRA etc have their voluntary hands very full already and do not have the capacity to look at this.
However, that doesn't preclude another individual doing some research, talking to the various boards, gaining their blessing and seeing where it leads. We might be surprised at the result.

Ian Coleby
WSRA, WSSRT and WSR PLC member.