West Somerset Railway General Discussion

WSR Bankruptcy thread anyone?

 

One of these & normal off-the-shelf weedkiller will do 90%+ of the job
https://www.screwfix.com/c/outdoor-gardening/garden-sprayers/cat9270002

 

Yes. Just when you think all the bad news is already out there, something else comes out of the woodwork.

The more I see on Companies House or in online bus news, the less confidence I have that the current board has the financial nous, the ability or even the will to make a go of the WSR.

And despite the Bailey report and the positive mood music around it, I'll believe it when I see it as far as the current management's agreement to give it all up for the greater good is concerned. Turkeys voting for Christmas comes to mind.

 

Was this question answered? I don't believe it was.

 

Was he appointed before or after he set up the property development business ? (Companies House, 20 various appointments?)

 

Dare one ask what this news is and how it might affect the railway?

 

More the modus operandi than anything specific.

Lots of companies, many not trading, excuses for dangerous maintenance failings etc.

 

That's just what the railway needs. Should we expect another appeal shortly? <BJ>

 

We, on our volunteer gang are trying to overcome it all out there if we can ?? Steve

 

It isn't just Rodders that still has questions to answer about due diligence. Two or three others who regularly post on this thread, some of whom still hold positions of responsibility, were entirely complicit in greasing the pole which allowed a certain individual to assume Total Power. They were warned about the dubious 'modus operandi' of that individual, and they were warned about the possible implications of letting that person assume control. They were warned by several people from several different directions who had had the misfortune of dealing with that individual as a locomotive owner, as a volunteer on the WSR, and as a businessman outside of the WSR. The warning signs were there, and in several cases they were in the public domain. But those concerns were ignored because, "he has great vision". Well, this is turning out to be quite some vision.....

On a separate note, does anybody know what has become of the HPC funding controversy? Has that all blown over and gone away now? I seem to recall upthread that there was talk of legal action being threatened by the PLC against the headteacher of the school who had written an open letter asking where the money went? I hope that never came to pass!

 

We do have 2 or 3 of these to use if needed ??......

 

There's a couple of insurance companies in that list as well. He must be a very busy man. Incidentally does anybody know who brokered the WSR's insurance this year?

 

I think it useful to take stock every now and then...

30th October 2019 the following 'presentation' was made to the HRA:-

https://static1.squarespace.com/sta...o+Regain+Premier+Status+-+Jon+Jones+Pratt.pdf

I hope the link works - "The Journey to Regain Premier Status for the West Somerset Railway"

As at 17th March when the WSR PLC board announced the 'lockdown' of the railway, it was 3 days away from the re-opening on Saturday 21st March.

('RichardBrum' has already noted this in an edit to his earlier post today).

Yet we are now to believe that, according to 'malcolm imps', there was 5 weeks worth of work required on the track around this time to make it fit for a re-opening that is still outstanding! Hence apparently why all on offer in 2 weekends time are 'bus rides' (and the sort of other attractions that might be more appropriate for a 'village fete' arranged by a not very ambitious committee of Parish Councillors).

So much for the WSR regaining it's premier status!

 

That's so unfair. Look at what's happening in just over two months time.

''Glimmer of hope for a mini 1940s weekend''.

''WSR are looking to offer a small scale 40s event at Minehead on 12 and 13 September 2020.

There would be military and civilian vehicles displayed on the platform and displays in compartment carriages of aspects of civilian and military life which the public can view passing one-way along the corridor of the train. There will also be promenaders and trains shunting trucks from the military train''.

The WSR is back. <BJ>

 

Wow!

 

The 'premier status' was always questionable. It does seem like the WSR has rested on its laurels for a long while ultimately leading to the quagmire it finds itself in at present.
There have been many plans and talking shops about the future but there is never a quick and ideal solution resulting.. Look how long Coombes took to implement.
Maybe they would be more successful in arranging Flower Shows at certain stations along the line.

 

When it is said of someone " He has great vision" Its normally because they have none, The problems, pre date the recent chairman, and others now on the board, but I share the concern that certain Directors, do seem to have not looked into the background of people they wish to invite onto the board especially if there were governance concerns to do with business he ran, or had an stake in even if these are later shown to be of no concern, due diligence should have ensured every possible check should be made to ensure that person is in fact an suitable candidate.

 

And yesterday the DSR re-opened running a GWR Manor and 7 coaches between Paignton and Kingswear. All the WSR PLC board can do for July and August is offer bus rides on 4 days.

Whilst the skilled permanent staff are threatened with redundancy - or else! (New contracts of employment on considerably less favourable terms).

Workshop tours of Minehead works (not working). "Here are all the empty lockers of our workshop staff". "And here is SDRT loco '88' still in bits because we don't want it anymore, or the SDRT at Washford".

And on those 4 days a loco is steamed up to do shunting and get spun on the turntable. Meanwhile, a long rake of carriages is in the station, just waiting to be filled with punters for a 'ride'.

"Can we have a ride on the steam train, Mister?"

"No, you can have a ride on a bus".

 

A consequence of the threat of redundancy no doubt.