West Somerset Railway General Discussion

As is your prerogative. However, your response to his post caused me to look more closely at what I initially took to be a loaded piece of whimsy, and to take the suggestion more seriously than I had previously. And, for someone with a stated dislike of feeding speculation, you have certainly fed it for me!


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Before this speculation gets out of hand, I'd hope to assist by proffering a few facts.

Foxcote is not now being hired in as such. 7822 was released from contract last year by the WSR to help Llangollen, without which Llangollen could not have run their Santa service owing to 3802 being stopped. While the WSR could and did cope without 7822, Foxcote's departure sometimes left the WSR without a spare engine. It was very kind of the WSR to release 7822 for six months, the WSR took on a risk with no upsides other than the creation of additional good will with both FMS and Llangollen.

Foxcote was due to run at the WSR spring gala, her return to WSR metals has been substantially delayed by Covid19. The timing of 7822's return and the news regarding 88 is 100% coincidental. The ink on 7822's contract has been dry for a very long time.

Less than in previous years(!), and she was then arguably the least expensive engine per mile being operated by the WSR, pannier tanks excepted.

Pete is correct, that the WSR has no liabiltiy to overhaul 7822. We have however paid the WSR for repairs and upgrades to the loco including the fitting of a drop grate and I'm sure that will continue. FMS happily spend money on maintenance to ensure as much as one can, that the engine is an efficient and reliable performer. We are happy to spend that money with the WSR having seen the quality of the work done.

Rest assured 7822 does not make money! The hire feel paid by the WSR and other railways is not sufficient to meet the ever increasing costs of overhaul. All privately owned engines require an additional source of income and/or volunteer labour to control costs. (More FMS members are always very welcome!) Railway's pay a considerable premium to own and maintain their own engines.

 

Strange isn't it, when someone dares to say something that may not be praiseworthy of a , how should i put it, " certain person who is a bus owner/ loco owner " , even if its said in jest, They immediately get attacked for daring to say so, If the story is correct, that the bus did run out of fuel, because it's fuel gauge was not working, then I don't see how anyone can be said to have an agenda, this is not North Korea, free thought is allowed but not by some factions on the WSR it would seem.

 

As Mandy (aka the late Dick Emery) would say "Ooh, you are awful, but I like you!"

 

It is an interesting move, in some( biased) eyes, A midland engine never fitted anyway, and they must be very pleased indeed to hear its going, being replaced by an engine they have to pay for,, yet the railway claims it has no money, work that one out, it may well be that this was always planned, that Foxcoate would be returning, but the timing of it stinks, you can't help but think there is a certain bias at work here.

 

No, but it was our same volunteer gang in February that started the relay

 

Indeed, and worth stating that there is (I think/hope!) no ill will here towards the Foxcote Manor society.

It is just the actions of the WSR Plc that are being questioned.

 

Refreshing.

Robin

 

Alan, no offence taken and certainly no ill will here.

7822 has been in private storage since being forced to leave Llangollen during lockdown, and at a time when the WSR was understandably unwilling to take staff off Furlough to accept the engine. Now the WSR has a skeleton staff back and for a number of very good reasons, both the FMS and the WSR are keen to have Foxcote on WSR metals ASAP. The timing of 7822's return and news regarding 88 is obviously unfortunate. But it is important to understand 7822 is not a replacement for 88, no rush agreements, no monsters under the bed here. Had Llangollen not requested Foxcote, 7822 would not have left the WSR last year.

All being well, the plan is to have 7822 in steam next weekend for her acceptance FTR and as an added attraction for the weekend event. (What you might call joined up thinking) I will be with the engine if anyone wants to have a chat.

 

Unless I am misinterpreting the photos, the volunteer P.Way gang are presently working without those modern mechanical devices which make the work bearable.

If so, great respect, folks, especially as some of are not in the first flush of youth.

Long ago and far away, when I used to act as ‘Operations Supervisor’ for weekend engineering world, one of the pieces of work was relaying through the tunnels west of Hastings. Because of the tight-to-gauge bore built by the cheap skate South Eastern Railway, much of the track lifting equipment normally used couldn’t be and it was very hard physical labour.

As I have said, if I am interpreting the photos correctly, great respect.

Robin

 

It’ll be good to have Foxy back. It’s a very popular locomotive at the WSR and the supporters and crew who visit us to travel on her are always warmly welcomed here.

 

As I was volunteer event PIC yesterday, I think it best I clarify the bus situation that occurred. Yes unfortunately "Bertie" ran out of fuel near the Alcombe (not seafront) roundabout whilst out on a run with passengers aboard. A quick call saw me in my car on route to establish the nature of the problem.

Fortunately, I had an empty 5 litre can in my boot so off I went to spend my £6.50 on diesel (hardly breaking my bank account I must say) which I am quite happy to donate to the good of the railway and not to let down any of the visitors (after all, we are not paying the bus company anything for these weekends). What would you have done differently in this situation Brian? I am always looking for feedback to better myself.

Don't worry @Snifter, this happened at approx 14:15, lunch had already been consumed and paid for.
By 15:00 the bus had been refuelled (your figure is inaccurate there in your "story" as is the origin of the money) and was on it's way again with a load of happy passengers. As my first event at which I have been PIC, I consider that I and the team who helped me dealt with this situation excellently.

For those asking how the event went, the numbers of visitors were fantastic. We are confident it has contributed a modest profit. Lots of happy socially distanced customers. I hope to see you all at the event next weekend.

If these Living Museum events were/are not a success, there is not a hope that trains will run this year. You had all better put your money where your mouth is and visit if you'd like to see trains running on the WSR this year.

If there are any volunteers reading this who assisted at the weekend, thank you so much! I am so grateful to every staff member and volunteer.

 

From https://assets.publishing.service.g...Vaw3jwnh1RvyFPNkA8j0czTJ-&cshid=1595862456010

Surely if the fuel gauge is not functioning, either you need to be extra generous when filling up, or don't even take the bus out of garage in the first place?

 

King Jong prat doesn't have the best record with buses, Didn't he have his public bus operating license revoked or is this unsubstantiated conjecture?

 

Thank you for clarifying Seb although I can't help but feel saddened that after a very positive, successful but very long weekend you felt the need to explain yourself.

So ... it transpires that whoever 'Snifers' source was, they clearly weren't in possession of all the facts and there were some clear anomalies in their account. Very hard to believe I know, but it just goes to prove what I've been trying to say all day ... people should think twice before posting 'stories' online for the world and their wife to read.

Brian, as a gentleman who staunchly advocates honesty and transparency and is very quick to pose questions to other forum members, perhaps you could let Seb how you came to be in possesion of this mis-infromation as I don't recall you having visited Minehead for a whole now ?

Meanwhile I will resume my earlier promise and get back in my box ...

 

This has long been an issue on the WSR, They can't take any criticism, Even if its constructive.


Thats from the public. Seems if you are involved in the line and decide to speak out, you get told if you don't like it go away.

 

Thank you for clarifying the chain of events - the clarity is welcomed.

 

I didn't reference it in my post 28879, but I wouldn't be so quick to say "nothing to see" - running out of fuel doesn't entirely impress, whether or not the gauge was defective.

 

JJPs Crosville's operating licence was revoked from 25 April 2018.