West Somerset Railway General Discussion

A lot of us would agree with every word you say. However every word of your post must strike terror in the hearts of some management people. Permanent exclusion? After all those years of service and sacrifice? Some must surely realise that they and others have behaved badly towards volunteers/members. Some must realise that the overall management is not competent. They can't all be convinced that they are smashing chaps doing and excellent job.
But that fear will lead to further entrenchment. More power grabbing. More hostility to anyone who dares question.

 

Most of the people who are interested in the WSR, and who are not currently in a leadership position (or supportive of the current leadership), are wanting to see real significant change, especially in the PLC leadership. However, we are all quite aware of what would happen if we were to become trustees, and then speak out for change? Could we expect any support from our fellow trustees? Would the chair of the WSRA speak out in support of us against antagonism from the PLC? Would he stand up for the moral rights of trustees to express their own conscience?
What is the track record of the WSRA recently in moral matters? The S&D? Andy Norman? Those who stood for the WSSRT?
And you wonder why you are not inundated with applications to become trustees, and complain of our disinterest.
As it is, the WSR seems to be heading down the toilet, very fast. And if it goes, the vitriol, arse covering and finger-pointing is going to be awful.
As those in positions of power don't want to be stopped, slowed or helped, what good could any of us do?

 

Someone who has a bigger red route 'choo choo' "K.. Hall" that hasn't had a bean on it spent for the last 3 years or any work done, and has a new runnable red route 'toy' 9466 would have quite an interest allegedly in red route status for the WSR...

That a £1 million emergency appeal "to save the railway" should encompass any of the above does beggar belief, and call into question whether the PLC Chairman is conflicted and has declared a whole host of "interests" at board meetings such as vintage bus substitution for rail, and much else besides.

Or perhaps a threat of a roll around or a punch up on Minehead platform is the way he deals with things ordinarily. So the current "yes men" bide their time, and say "yes".

 

One problem with planning to rerail using 2nd hand rail besides the wear points noted previously.
The methods used by NR to uplift track do not lend themselves to providing 60ft lenghs of useable rail.
They are usually gas cut to a convenient spacing, maybe 30 fts maybe less, to enable Road Rail machines to pick up and load to trailers.
This means that the only option for using BH rail is to use new which is available at a cost.

 

I see that today the railway is offering a special cheese and cider plus a cream tea event which is sold out according to their
website.

This is the descripton on the event webpage:
We are offering journeys from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead with Cheese and Cider on your outward journey and a cream tea on your return

Take the steam service from Bishops Lydeard either 12 05 or 12.15 (which service will be outlined on your ticket) and meander through the Quantock Hills and along the coast behind a heritage steam locomotive taking in the breath taking scenery whilst enjoying your Cheese and Cider.

Upon arrival in Minehead you may get off the train and you will have plenty of time to explore the town, shops, cafe and beach. Your return trip back to Bishops Lydeard will depart Minehead Station at 16.45 where your Cream Tea will be served.

There is no mention of a bus service on that page whatsoever, only if you look at the timetable for today will you see it saying bus from Dunster to Minehead and return.

The outbound time is 1235 and the return from Minehead is 1615 so even the times don't match.
Mixed messaging or what.

Dave B

 

I actually think those in charge of matters on the WSR are in denial, they have thrown their eggs in one basket, to find out they have been well and truly scrambled, because if the PLC goes down, there is no WSR, as they have come to know it, The Council , as land owner, with one eye to the public perception, and local pressure might very well through their local MP want to offer it back to Network rail and be rid of it, the locals would get their rail service to Taunton and beyond, , the WSRA, and others, become what, a restoration base, with no running line, or they take their stock, and relocate, possibly the yard at minehead, and station could become a steam centre, if the station its self is abandoned and a single platform built by NR, I would not put it past JPP, To launch JPP Rail, and bid for the franchise to run a Minehead to Taunton service, using leased pacers, whilst every one else loses everything,

 

I am no more a fan of his than you, but to assume that someone who is a long term volunteer on a steam railway, owns or has owned multiple steam locomotives, would seek to do as you suggest is just not credible.

 

Bryan, I wasn't suggesting using S/H B/H rail, merely pointing out that this would be a means of solving the problem. Good S/H B/H is available in 60 ft lengths but perhaps not in the quantities required by the WSR and the ear needs to be kept to the ground. I bought a trailer load of siding quality rail back in 2019 and actually ended up with virtually unworn rail as the contractor decided it was easier to do this than bring the rail back to his depot, offload the trailer and re-load it with the rail I'd bought. I didn't complain.

 

I agree. But I also believe that extravagant claims about individuals can distract from more substantive concerns about them, to the extent of being able to be claimed as disproving all concerns.


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On that basis, if I were a passenger on a train only to find that that I arrived 'within sight of' Minehead (given a telescope) and was actually getting off a train at Dunster, I would consider claiming a refund for mis-description of the 'product' on offer.

 

Or how about a wasted 40 minute walk to the Bakelite Museum from Williton, or the Somerset and Dorset Museum at Washford? Both advertised on the official website (under Museum and What to see and do) Or the Museum at Washford and the craft shops in Washford Mill, and the Bakelite Museum in Williton advertised on the fence board by the chip shop at Minehead? How long ago did they close down?

 

Ever flown with Ryan Air?

 

Rename Dunster to Minehead Parkway or in GWR fashion Minehead Road for authenticity - which normally means that the station is within 10 miles of the named location. Job done.

 

Dunster Station is also a fair way from Dunster itself (although close to Dunster Beach)

 

Only once when there was no alternative however I flew Brianair last night around Somerset, and jolly good it was too.

If Ryanair had flights to hell then the destination would be advertised as Heaven South.