South Tynedale Railway.

Sad news, but not surprised really - https://www.cwherald.com/a/stories/...hRhmTDT6byw_bzP6-gqghMc#.X2PRGIokq9U.facebook

Gather this is just the owner / trading company / PLC, NOT the Trust? Sorry if already mentioned - I did check, honest!

Will

 

That is very worrying news. Sadly I don't think it will be the last.

What I am unclear about is what the bit that has gone into administration owned or did. It appears that it could be run by volunteers.

 

Such a shame. A line I have only visited once in the very early days. Let's hope a solution can be found.

 

I read about this line and the mention of administration a few days ago. It is a puzzle, however, but their web site mentions nothing about it, except that there are no trains running and places are closed.
https://www.south-tynedale-railway.org.uk/

 

This is very sad news, after a period of such promising developments.
Let's hope the line and the valuable collection of rolling stock can be saved for future rebirth.

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Me too. I'd seen a similar thread on the RailUK forum, where the poster had mentioned that the collapse of the trading arm had been mentioned on the BBC's Cumbria section of their website. Though I couldn't find it...............

Hopefully the Society will be able to take over and run the line in the new year. Whilst it's unfortunate that the "company" has folded with the loss of 5 paid members of staff. I think/feel/understand that the majority of operating staff are volunteers, so it shouldn't be a problem running the line in future hopefully.

 

Well it looks from the article that:

So hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel

 

As some additional thoughts/views. Many Charitable Trusts like the Preservation Society have some sort of limited/Public Limited Company to carry out the "dirty Business of making money". With the Society/trust being the parent/owning body, as depending on the turn over of the business they could then fall foul of all-sorts of Business laws, which dictate how such a business operates. You just need to look at the Big Name Charity shops on the "High Street" i.e the British Red Cross, PDSA, or Cancer Research. They are all run by subsidiary companies of the same name as the respective charity, with the profits [if any] gifted to the respective Charity.............

 

A local newspaper reporting this matter mentions the concerns of the volunteers that should Covid-19 become an issue then their future might be under question. It does appear that the north of England is seeing increases in infections, so that must be a great concern for them.

 

Best not to speculate and just keep fingers crossed.

 

As I understand it, the S.T.R. has benefitted from substantial grants and donations in order to extend its operations but this extension has not resulted in an increase of net income. Issues concerning lengths of run seem just as important as organisational structures.

 

That is a great pity, that unfortunately probably means getting back to Haltwhistle is not going to happen for a very long time, if ever.
I just hope it survives now, I will join the society soon and donate what I can.

 

I find it hard to believe that the longer run is really an issue. AIUI the current line is 5.25 miles long, i.e. a bit longer than Sheffield Park to Horstead Keynes. Obviously, one would hope that they adjusted their fares slightly when the extension opened, but it's not as though they've just rebuilt the Welsh Highland.

 

Too long for them though it would appear. Their problems started before Covid 19.

 

Quite possibly. But it might be kinder not to jump in with hypotheses for their woes without presenting some evidence.


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It was said by the organisation themselves that they were in difficulties.

 

Having been on the STR both before and after it extended to Slaggford, the extension has definitely added another dimension. The line previously went nowhere, now it goes somewhere. It’s a lovely line, my only criticism is that it’s a bit of a slow trundle, something which surely would have to change before any further extensions.


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However "another dimension" brings additional ongoing costs which need additional costs to cover it. A longer line at a trundle also means less-frequent trains which may put off passengers. Put all this in a relatively remote area, and effects of the COVID lock-down, and the financial risks are higher.

The keenness for enthusiasts to extend preserved lines doesn't always match the railway's ability to pay for it.

 

https://www.cwherald.com/a/stories/...ay Ltd has,Alston, having been made redundant

 

The individuals will find it very difficult to find alternative employment locally.