West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Any chance to help those of us who like to keep abreast of things down in Somerset but really shouldn't spend so much time reading what is written here that we have a daily summary published

It would I'm sure need to read no more than the usual suspects in Group A made the usual points and the usual suspects in Group B tried and failed to defend the indefensible.

Thanks.

 

And that is why I find the question of process so important when asking about the due diligence undertaken at the time the present chairman was appointed to the board. Not for the outcome of that due diligence but whether it was taken or factored into the appointment.

The fact that the question, when asked, consistently and reliably provoked either silence or an aggressive response suggests an answer; one I’d have thought his backers would have been delighted to provide. I can only assume therefore that none was undertaken and the appointment was made on the basis of who was known by whom.


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Hi Mr Aldfort,

I reckon there are plenty of us well aware that a whole lot of amicable can-do stuff continually goes on between various WSR colleagues despite what may be going on in or near the plc boardroom. Let's be honest, s*d all would ever happen if that wasn't the case. Our Railway Family is surely alive and well in these crucial scenarios. Somehow we need to instill that 'can do with good grace' attitude in higher echelons. Longed-for structure change should achieve that, as long as fingers are removed from collective ears and it gets to be done properly and with genuine enthusiasm. One Railway, One Chance to Change. I fully appreciate and welcome WSRA's clear understanding of this.

Oh to be preparing to pull pints in the Rally beer tent. There would have been many thirsty customers this evening had we been able to run that wonderful event.

Dee and I passed through your manor behind Tornado on Wednesday (no, not that one). With no beer tent to set up that day we had to find something to do and needed a steam fix! A fellow member of the erstwhile Reform Group was with our engine support crew. We chewed the fat for a while, as you can well imagine.

 

Well one Friday we sold a B747 to bank to lease it back. On Monday we sent an engineer out with a owners nameplate to fix in the required location only to find this one had already been sold to a different back previously. In our case easily fixed by a tail number switch on the paperwork (after agreement). Not so easily fixed with historic artifacts!
I have no view on what may have happened here, just saying mistakes do happen.

 

Companies House next week could be a good place to start.

 

Deleted. Covered by #29195.

 

The discussion prompted me to check in my inbox for the first discussions and when planning started. 20th Feb for us, with it stepping up on the 3rd March. It was inevitable from I think slightly earlier as we had Italian, Chinese and Japanese colleagues who were either unable to return after Xmas, or who were desperately trying to get home. I would say there was an exodus from about 3-4 weeks before lockdown. That said, I did the last turn so to speak before they closed down.

In defence of the WSR, where I live, when they imposed the lockdown they basically gave the customers 30 minutes to get out. And I also know someone who turned up to sign on to volunteer on the first weekend of services, only to have to turn around and go back home a few hours later.

So while there was preparation and the expectation, when the actual shutdown happened it was quite sudden.

However, this takes us onto the next point.

Pre shutdown the plans were - how are we going to cope in a shutdown and still operate/function remotely.

Once lockdown occurred the plans were - how are we going to improve our operation remotely, and how are we going to reopen. Almost from the moment we went into lockdown there have been discussions about opening up again and what needs to be done. Everything from purging the water system, testing all the electrics, dealing with the mice, etc etc.

Even now, we are all planning for several different scenarios in the late summer autumn.

So, while I accept that the suddenness of lockdown was a surprise given the govts public announcements, almost every organisation worth its salt was planning for a lockdown.

I can accept that there had to be some thinking on the hoof in the early days as security, basic maintenance etc had to be planned for etc, but even then, I think many were looking forward to what to do next. It seems to me that the PLC board is constantly behind the curve, they never seem to have their eye on the ball.

That is just poor management and people should expect better.

If you are a premier league line then I would expect better management.

While you recognise your limits, sadly, many do not. And perhaps this is part of the problem where there are people of limited ability in key positions who lack the self awareness of their limitations and should not really be in post.

 

Just posted on FB
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10223106042460918&set=gm.1480923122094306


...and I see that already it has attracted a 'swipe' at NP even though no-one yet has posted anything !

 

That link gives me this:

 

So what was it??

 

Screenshots are your friend

 

Nothing showing for me either, and I am a member of the relevant Facebook group that has now gone private as well.

 

Oh! You've been looking as well?

 

That is because it was put out to staff only.

 

What with posts disappearing on NP and FB, you really can't afford to fall behind, even for a moment.

 

Or it might have been made on the basis that the number of candidates for the post was in single figures, and that's when you count them in binary.

 

Thanks for that, stops us trying to chase ghosts at any rate! Did you have a chance to read my reply to your first post at #29129 - I appreciate it was a while back in terms of pages! Any thoughts in response? I'd genuinely like to hear.

 

No offence but I said I wouldnt comment further and that still stands.

 

But it was sent out as a 'Press Release' and therefore could be assumed to be for public consumption. No doubt the Plc will send it to Mr E for his website in due course.
Anyway, it was a PR about the resignation of Bob Meanley as Director of Mechanical Engineering.
The final paragraph therein makes interesting reading.