West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Road access isn't great at Washford, being right on a corner of the A39, so anything substantial would have to go in by rail. Dunster is a better option in that respect, and it's only 5 or so miles away, so I can't really see much benefit in moving the p/way base to Washford. It does seem a very odd idea to kick out the SDRT. Surely developing Minehead and Williton for either loco or rolling stock overhauls would be a better option, rather than having a bit of each at both locations?

 

Depends on the agreement with the railway. As noted above, there is a different agreement for 53808 from the Washford agreement. Maybe the DEPG locos are covered by a similar agreement (ie separate from the DEPG agreement)

Seems a ludicrous decision. The WSR seems set on self destruction and alienating support. I don't see how anyone associated with the railway could justify this action.

Keith

 

I'm surprised that Channel 5 hasn't abandoned the NYMR in favour of the WSR. So many more twists and turns to keep all and sundry interested. They wouldn't need to contrive situations, either.

 

I see that the WSR has a new GM.
http://www.wsr.org.uk/news.htm#1966

 

Depends on your definition of "heritage" coach! I was talking about all coaches, not just GWR ones.
Speaking of heritage coaches though, is there somewhere to follow for news on this project? The WSSRT website mostly seems to carry news from no later than 2009, which can hardly be constituted as news anymore!
As far as Williton goes, to what extent does the contract business support the railway, either financially or in terms of work done on WSR related stuff? Not trying to make a point or anything, genuinely curious.

 

This on the other hand looks like an excellent decision on the face of it, good stuff.

 

Is there a 'not' missing there, I assume?

Noel

 

I wish Justin Kerr-Peterson all the best in his new challenging role. Perhaps he might like to reflect that the WSR PLC still has no HR policies in place for the last 12 months, and he ought to keep paying his Union subs, and start a new Branch of the Union at Minehead...

You never know when you might need it! (Union assistance, that is)

 

Lots of news on there last time I looked. Not sure we even had a website in 2009. Last news postings in the last week.

 

Fortunately, the original FaceBook post contains that critical 'NOT'. 106 comments already.
(Sorry for this huge link).

https://www.facebook.com/sanddrt/?_...sPT33LEiTJxMIwpjhm6tNbHqcMmrEZaHGJwPJrJsh3kPQ

 

The copy I made at the time, which I have checked does not include the not for some reason. Possibly typing error which someone later corrected?

 

If you read through the comments on Facebook, it looks like the original author missed it until it was pointed out, then corrected the original to include the word “not”.

Tom

 

I think the comment is in relation to the "Heritage Carriages Project" entry under Projects. That's certainly where I'd go to look for information and news about the project.

 

Good news and bad? news!
Firstly . Congratulations to Justin. As a tracker, volunteer, and paid employee of the railway he should be able to see the bigger picture of everyone on the railway "pulling together" to give a good service to our customers, supporters and the local area.
Secondly . The potentially not so good news. I and I am sure many others will be sad to see the loss of superbly restored wagons and occasionally Kilmersden and the coach at Washford. Hopefully they will not be replaced by a "junkyard" and lots of unrestored (maybe never to be restored) rolling stock as at Dunster and Minehead.

 

I too think that the loss of the S&D at Washford would be counterproductive. They have maintained the
site to a high standard, A site very visible from the A39. Imagine the effect on public perception if the
passing motorist was confronted by a 'Dunster' style storage yard ?
( and the S&D constitutes a significant Railway historical resource )

I am surprised by the announcement. AFAIK S&D some time past was given ten year notice that their
lease would not be renewed. This was subsequently rescinded and a 25 year agreement granted/offered ?

I do hope this is not a case of the tenant declined to genuflect so off with his head ?

Michael Rowe

 

I think you mean S&DRT, not DEPG?

Keith

 

Does ongoing to-ing and fro-ing about reinstating the Minehead line to 'big railway' use (concerning the wisdom of which, I'll keep my own counsel) have any possible bearing on the current shenanigans?

 

Hi Michael

I had to look ‘genuflect’ up, good choice of a word and something new I’ve learned today, thanks. I agree with you. You only have to look at the number of departures of people, paid and volunteer (myself included), locomotives & locomotive groups, grant funders, outside organisations, etc. etc. who have gone or not engaged in the last year to see the trend and the use of your well-chosen word. Even the number of passionate people taking their valuable time to post here because they care is a shadow of its former self.

This is of course not the first long term agreement to be cut short recently and apart from the impact on the railway directly it will also have an impact on long term larger grant funders willingness to engage because it’s beginning to look like ‘when is an agreement not an agreement’, this was a concern for them back in my time so it must be heightened now.

Still it is what the PLC Shareholders, WSRA & WSSRT voted for in December, in defence of the current PLC Chairman and to add balance to my comments (so as not to upset the Mod’s, again) they did know from day one back in late 2018 what was going to happen. The current PLC Chairman was very clear that he would “run all the trouble makers off the WSR” (his quote Mod’s so I’m only repeating what he has put in the public domain many times so no need to remove my posting as it complies with your rules) so he is only following through his strategy which he has been open about and those who voted for him are getting what they voted for.

However, in my humble opinion alienating people is all very well until you run out of people!!

 

I suggested earlier on that the way one loco owning company had behaved might get itself a bad reputation.

I rather wonder if the WSR might be at risk of going the same way. I might understand why some organisations or individuals might outstay their welcome but there is no way that I see the S&DRT doing that

 

Just out of interest, if the WSR can terminate the lease at Washford with the SD trust what's to stop the SD trust terminating the contract with the WSR regarding 88/53808? Not trying to stir the pot but I know what I'd be thinking.