S&D Railway Trust

Surely the key difference here is that the Engine House at Highley is actually a SVR enterprise, as I understand it, so essentially they are promoting something of their own. On the other hand it would appear that the Plc regards the S&DRT as something separate, nor do they seem to spend much effort (as far as I can tell) in promoting the wider Washford area.

On the other hand, if you look at (say) the SDR, quite a lot of their marketing is/was directed at the Butterfly Farm at Buckfastleigh and the Rare Breeds centre at Totnes Riverside - neither of which is a SDR venture, but valuable attractions in their own right which the SDR can use a 'draw' for visitors by train.

 

For the record I was endeavouring to offer some thoughts as a volunteer on the WSR. Certainly
not a hatchet job.

You. have not asked what I personally might like to happen. However I will tell you. The S&D to stay
at Washford( their museum, workshops and yard are definitely of value both in a historical context
and as a visitor attraction. ) The S&D should however enthusiastically embrace a Plc prsence on
the station.

I appreciate 'Railwests' comments re the difficulty of issuing tickets at the station but
this can I am sure, with goodwill on both sides, be overcome.

The WSR should include in its marketing of Washford station the S&D museum, the
walk by the MIneral Line to Watchet and Cleeve Abbey. If it gets its house in order the
Washford Inn adjacent to the station is a bonus.

Please Monkey Magic accept that when WSR volunteers post their personal experiences
this may constitute relevant information. By the way you appear to have ignored my
serious criticism of the Plc ?

Michael Rowe

 

I assume that was merely a slip of the electronic pen and not a suggestion that they should re-locate one station up the line >

>>>The S&D should however enthusiastically embrace a WSR presenice on the station.....
I would not disagree with that view.

I was not party to all the machinations which surrounded the previous Plc attempt to have their own SM there, but I did speak to people on both sides at the time. The impression which I gained was that those involved on the Plc side felt that the S&DRT were totally resistant to any reasonable proposals to open up the station to improve its 'customer appeal', whereas those on the S&DRT side felt that someone new was trying to walk in and change 'their' station. Sadly there seemed to be no 'common ground'. Maybe there are those out there on NatPres which can add more details from their own experience of that occasion?

Meaning no disrespect to my former S&DRT colleagues, but some of them certainly did have a very 'possessive' attitude towards the station, perhaps not surprising given the sheer effort put into the place by so many of the volunteers. My feeling now is that at least some of those who were most vocal against the idea have now moved on elsewhere. It is possible therefore that the current management at WD might be more amenable to the idea, although at the same time it would be understandable if 'cooperation with the Plc' was the last thing on their mind at the moment.

 

But think of the calories, the calories.

 

Recent posts on this thread illustrate quite well the attitudes of other more progressive lines than the WSR appears to be. Others seem to capitalise on adjacent or local attractions to their mutual benefit.
In comparison - as evidenced in most sagas of recent times with the WSR - there is this very noticeable (outside of the WSR) a highly insular attitude. The 'one railway' seems a pipe dream, no matter how many have tried to achieve it.

 

Thanks.

It wasn't me comparing the respective marketing efforts.

Steve

 

Personally, the only WSR intermediate stations I've got off at for a look around are Williton and Washford. I've never seen any reason to get off at any others.

No doubt someone will be along to tell us soon about how many people get off at Dunster purely to admire the attractive goods yard

 

Apologies for continuing the thread drift from one of the serious issues confronting the WSR family, but for a bit of light relief listen to this:

 

Likewise, they're always my first two. If I've got time Watchet is usually third. Rarely any time for more than that, even on a gala.

 

Well, the S&DRT - as they themselves are always happy to remind us - are separate so I don't understand your above point. On the other hand, the WSR's webpage about Washford Station seems to cover the S&DRT at Washford quite well, along with mention of Cleeve Abbey.

Mention of local attractions that can help "draw" visitors by train, I guess you must be saying the Dunster Castle and the Hestercombe House joint promotions don't count?

Let's give credit where credit is due - it greatly helps those of us trying very hard to keep things going.

Steve

 

One railway is the reality and has been for some while now - except perhaps from an organisation based at a station beginning with W...…...

Everybody else is heading in the same direction.

Clearly you are unaware of the "Dunster Castle Express", Hestercombe Gardens Express" etc - attractions which are of more general interest in a holiday area?

 

Mmmmm. The calories....

Robin

 

An organisation with a specific remit that goes beyond the WSR, and which has actively co operated with the WSR in recent times to the limit of their legal abilities.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Is there any evidence that the S&D have refused a PLC presence at Washford?

When you ignore the contribution that the S&D make financially and accuse the station of going unmanned, when the S&D have said that they were open every single running day last year, it seems fairly clear where you are coming from.

Didn't you stomp off last week claiming you were leaving NP because people were being mean to the poor victimised WSR?

Your evidence of the S&D not being part of one railway is what? One railway is a two way street not a takeover.

The MHR for example promotes Jane Austin's house at Chawton with the walk from Medstead as being an attraction in it's own right, as well as their delivering the good exhibition. There are plenty of examples of lines promoting their own and other attractions.

The SVR promotes not only Highley but also Arley, including the Arboretum and the Harbour Inn, neither of which are owned by the SVR.

 

Is this not a static museum which has no intention of seeking a LRO ?

 

Just my opinion, but the S&DRT idea of an LRO is, at this point, an un-necessary distraction.
The focus should be on the lease issue.

 

Not that different from Washford, then, based on what the S&DRT have actually said.

 

The WSR PLC's supporters make lots of claims about what the S&DRT have done or are going to do, but the evidence to support those claims is never ever forthcoming and is limited to 'I've never seen anyone get out at Washford'.