New year opportunity

"A railway vehicle is for life*, not just for Christmas."

*Not quite, but you get my drift. Buying a vehicle is by far and away the easiest bit.

 

Or a feasible one................

 

I think that point has been made previously.

As I understand, he is based in Somerset. That county has two significant heritage railways: on one of which, an apprentice successfully bought and restored his own small industrial tank engine, and the other of which is carving out a niche as a commercial restorer of rolling stock. I’m not suggesting Mr Reeder should take his vehicles to either, but were he to volunteer and be prepared to start at the bottom, the possibilities for an education would seem to be on his doorstep.

Tom

 

The problem might be that if Stuart struggles with social interaction (and springing from that lack of social etiquette, difficulty in processing verbal and non-verbal instructions, picking up on cues etc) then if he were to go somewhere then he would need to work with someone who is experienced and willing to work with someone who struggles with social interaction.

In my ‘real life’, I work with people who are high functioning but who for various reasons struggle with social interaction and sometimes it is only because I am getting paid that I don’t get very annoyed. (Hello 45 minute phone call at 11.30pm repeating the same thing we talked about for 90 minutes yesterday). So I can well understand why someone who is a volunteer would say ‘not my job, I am here to restore this carriage not deal with a very difficult person.’

At work I get sent on courses specifically designed to help me deal with people with social interaction difficulties, but how many preserved railways give training to managers and key volunteers on dealing with people who struggle with social interaction? Just out of interest has anyone had any advice, training etc?

 

I think they were used on the Welsh Highland around Portmadoc.

http://www.sicut.co.uk/projects/ecotrax-railway-sleepers/mainline-sleeper/

 

Peco track made real

 

Further to my earlier question, does anyone know what happened to the boiler?

 

IIRC Stuart had some pieces of an old boiler plus some replacement bits. If he hasn't got the correct paperwork these are likely to be of scrap value only. I would suggest making direct contact with him via Farcebook .
Ray.

 

I think I wrote something like this before on a previous thread on it. The locomotive was owned by someone at the SCR who part owns another complete Andrew Barclay tank (Richard Trevithick) so the one Stuart now has was only ever considered as a source of spares for the other one. I have no idea what happened to its original boiler (I would imagine it was scrapped long ago), but I believe possibly the loco was obtained from the Rutland collection of locomotives that were sold off many years ago. It did have some parts for a boiler of unknown sources which presumably were made during its time at Rutland or earlier which basically consisted of a piece of welded tube to form the new barrel and another u shaped piece to form a firebox. No holes or anything just rolled pieces. The only parts that were obviously swapped was the wheelsets between the two locos.

If Stuart does want to sell it, it would probably be best for him to find owners of other AB locos and offer it as a spares donor engine. It could be restored in its own right but would need a lot of money spending on replacing the missing pieces.

 

Pretty much bang on. The AB in question was bought to replace some damage on AB Richard Trevithick at the S&CR many years ago following a derailment. It was only ever intended for spares and most of them were removed/used years prior to selling. The boiler has long since been scrapped before I was even a twinkle in my Dad's eye. IIRC the loco was used in a play area before ending up at Rutland I believe. I can't be certain as the original owner of the loco unfortunately passed away several years ago and the ownership was transferred to the remaining part owners of AB Richard Trevithick. What Stuart bought, was essentially a set of wheels, a tank, frame, cab and a chimney. Nothing more.

As for the LMS sleeper, as a previous trustee of the S&CR, I was on the board when the discussion of the LMS sleeper was to be sold. An asbestos survey was paid for and carried out on the coach and was/is available to all of those who came to view it. All were well aware of the Asbestos within the coach and were issued a copy of the report prior to viewing. The S&CR at the time followed the procedures required. Apologies if the post seems overzealous, but as a member of the S&CR it came across concerning that several people were discussing the possibility that procedures weren't followed. I just wanted to clear up those assumptions and thoughts.

At the end of the day, Stuart bought both items even after advice from several from here and via others at the S&CR via private messages/emails that it might be a poor idea. I even suggested save up and buy Ivor instead...but that's another story......

cheers,

Allan

 

I didn't see it mentioned here, but it is reported on facebook that the underframe of the inspection saloon has changed hands and won't be now going to the S&CR.

I think the S&C has done well here. Got rid of a liability sleeper and got a bit of cash for the underframe.

 

Great post. Not sure how many heritage railways have training budgets for "soft skills" like this. Also, the existing volunteers/managers *may* have their own limitations in social skills, as volunteer staff are largely self-selecting.

However, I have seen some heritage railways where the high proportion of 'special needs' volunteers has allowed them to work in a very supportive environment.

 

At Midsomer Norton they have trainees from Fosse Way School, which is a special school for Autistic children, so they have clearly sorted something out to deal with their needs

 

"Due to forseen circumstances I have had to tell Reids to scrap the sleeper"

 

Not a surprise

 

You do have to wonder if he advised them of the asbestos content, though. IIRC, in LMS sleepers it is sandwiched in the compartment dividers, for example, so not easy to remove.

I can foresee a big legal bill for all involved!