West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I think there’s a few of us thought that the Mid Hants have done rather well out of it for quite some time.

 

Two views from the road bridge today.

Robin

 

A tale of two railways:

One welcomes a collection and explains how it fits with the line (emphasizing commonalities and shared histories) and seeks to make it a core part of the line and the visitor experience, the other calls it a cuckoo in the nest, goes back on agreements and evicts it.

Quite nice to read a PR release that makes sense, is measured and is nice rather than one that reads like 'drunk texting'.

 

Of course it could be borne in mind that the Mid-Hants was itself a subject of considerable internal upheaval many years ago but has now transformed itself into probably a model example of how a heritage railway should be run.

It shows that things can be turned around.

Incidentally I don't think that quote was from a press release but rather from the Chairman's report (ironically enough) in the latest Mid-Hants News magazine, which is temporarily available for free download at https://www.watercressline.co.uk/

Barry

 

Well, at least two railway lines are happy now. The WSR have got rid of a group they thought shouldn't be there, (as well as being able to encourager les autres) and the Mid Hants have acquired a group that they are delighted to have. Win-win!

 

The others may not be encouraged but biding their time ....

 

A very expensive 'win', for one many thousands of pounds for removal for the other a large loss of faith by a good few supporters

 

For some though, the very high price would be the price they were prepared to pay, both financially and in reputation lost to achieve the purity of their line as they saw it, I.e. no Midland interlopers on their bit of GWR heaven.

 

Indeed and I think the MHR is a good example that lines can turn themselves around but that it is a long and often painful process and that does give me hope for the future of the WSR. The current WSR situation is an interregnum.

 

An interesting development.

 

Orchestrators, or just perpetrators? Either way, a clear suggestion that a clean slate is required for real progress to be made.

 

It seems to me though that the WSR has a long running 'cultural' problem, the current situation didnt just happen, the financial mess was a long time a coming.

Perhaps someone with more knowledge might say something about the MHR?

 

The Severn Valley has referred to its works "to be carried out before the end of March"[1] and "has just submitted a further application to round 2 of the Culture Recovery Fund" [2], so I think you're right on both counts.

([1] 'Winter works are underway' and [2] 'Important role of grants in funding SVR projects', both at https://www.svrlive.com/blfeb21)

Patrick

 

Heratige railways can provoke strong emotions and personality clashes. One example at MHR lasted 13 years. https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5618254.amp/

 

Although I think there are two important broader points for the WSR. i) it is possible to recover from a very difficult and acrimonious place, ii) but it is difficult and takes a long time.

So maybe by 2041 the WSR might, if all goes well, be where the MHR is now. Fingers crossed etc

 

One interesting comparison with the MHR is that, from this outsider's view anyway, that period of unpleasantness seems very much a closed door that no one wants to talk about, even if asked out of curiosity in my experience. On the other hand, on the WSR, people seem only too happy to go into the whys and wherefores of anything and everything from 1974 to present!

 

Agree. But it is in the public domain for lessons to be learnt, if possible, even though it needs a bit of a search to find.