West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Being Somerset, it's simply an updated version of the Sweet Track

 

Completely agree. There is no sensible way of shotenimg the railway. Cut off the BL end and you lose the most popular starting point with its car parking and facilities. Chop off off the MD end.. well that speaks for itself. The strength of the railway is that it is a complete branchline, there are so few of these and you can get the impression of a real steam age journey that actually takes you somewhere sensible, it doesn't just dump you in the middle of a field. Shortening the line is inconceivable to me and time is better spent deciding how to capitalise on the wonderful asset we have, not thinking about how we chuck it away.
Ian Coleby

 

Given that many have been feeling for a while that there was a significant over-reaction to start with (there was data early on, e.g. from that cruise-ship, that this wasn't a re-run of the 1918 influenza), an impression which actual experience has likely spread more widely, that change could and should have been expected.

Noel

 

Given that many of us agree with your assessment it should not be overlooked that currently and in the future, I dare say, the WSR is unsustainable as it stands. It relies heavily on volunteer input and philanthropy, moreover its ticket and operating receipts are dropping annually. Presumably the PLC has a plan of action to avoid insolvency but the present tack, alienating much of its support, does not give many onlookers confidence about the future of the line. The length of the line was fine when it was really a national branch line: it no longer is, but a tourist line. Harping back to pre Beeching days is wonderfully nostalgic, but it does not pay the bills.

 

That will wind everyone up Big Al!!

 

That’s an odd statement. There is no ‘ideal length’ of railway, it just depends on what the overall package is to make it attractive for passengers and supporters. It’s true that the longer the line the harder and more imaginative the commercial team has to work (supported by all the other departments of course). I support my railway in Derbys and the management team there is entirely unable to manage our modest 4 miles and generate any positive growth. Incompetence is not directly related to the length of a line!

 

I have nothing invested in either WSR or IOWSR - apart from wanting both to survive! (Lest my wider family's appreciation of is seen to be labouring one point or other...)

My oldest son (10) will go to any railway - any size, any length, any traction - just doesn't matter. He had a fabulous day at SVR with his grandparents - whole day on the railway, with a visit to the town in Bridgenorth via the cliff railway - length of line no problem. Visit to CCLR - perfectly happy with a 10 minute trundle each way behind a 15" diesel - short length of line not a problem.

My wife: 'Where are we going?' Overjoyed at a nice journey to Whitby on the NYMR with fish and chips and seaside at the end - length not a problem. Equally, quite happy to take the train from Swanage to Corfe to poke around and have lunch in a pub garden. But, 'No point in taking a train to no-where'. (Self and eldest son had to visit GWSR alone last year)

My youngest son (8) will do his best to avoid any trip anywhere - so not an obviously useful source of data! However, once on a train, he will sit for hours looking out of the window at countryside and animals.

May be not typical market research - but there is not one size fits all in terms of customers, just as there is not one size fits all of railways.
However, those railways need to match what they have to the available market. In terms of lines of similar(ish) length to WSR NYMR and SVR both seem to manage this - but WSR seems to have struggled in recent years (having been market-leading once upon a time) at this fundamental marketing task of matching people and product.

 

You wouldn't shorten anything would you but you would consider a phased reopening of what was immediately serviceable surely?

I thought was what the Cornish called them?!!

 

I don't know if the railway is going to the dogs or not... But is has lost it's No.1 spot in the 'Things to do' category to the dogs, 30 of 'em:-

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attra...ver_Experience-Minehead_Somerset_England.html

Ruff times ahead? (Sorry, just couldn't help it )

 

What, Grockles, yeap, but the end result is the same, you either get eaten by the Beast of Exmoor, or turned into Cornish pasties by the pixies.

 

The Cornish call them "Emmets", an Old English word for ants.
Grockles is the Devon equivalent, which I've also heard used in Somerset.

Both refer to "vurriners", which is all those good folk from East or North of Brizzle (or "Bristole", depending on which of its parts you come from !)

Dainton

 

I'd suggest Grockles is fairly universal to describe holidaymakers. I first heard the term in Wales when volunteering on the Talyllyn in the 1960's, well before I discovered Devon. Common in Yorkshire, as well.

 

As a good example of the two model thing

Ffestiniog - short journey to TYB which is basically marketed as a short heritage experience
Welsh Highland - a full day out (aimed at tourist timings) from Caernarfon to Beddgelert and marketed as such by the ability to buy a picnic hamper etc before you go.

Services start on the latter on Tuesday (the test run was yesterday to Beddgelert), running on the busier days of the week to start with http://www.festrail.co.uk/information/.

Even if we weren't in this situation, it is noticeable on the WHR that the train to Caernarfon loads a lot better than the train to Porthmadog. Why? Well, Caernarfon is a well known destination with a Castle (and therefore in people's minds - something to do), so people would make the most of their day out by potentially fitting in two things within their day.

 

Things change, too. Goathland was at one time a very popular destination on the NYMR because of "Heartbeat" but memories of that are now fading, and although it's later appearance in the Harry Potter films revived some of that popularity I think it has largely lost out to Whitby as the preferred destination for most visitors. It does still offer an alternative, though.

 

No, you get sent to the treacle mines of course!

 

Do the owners of the Chobham Treacle Mines want them?
Pat