West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Another difference that I can see about the Seaward Lane jib from 'typical' former BR set-ups is that usually such barriers were a replacement for a gated crossing, where there would have been a Gate Bolt lever in the SB (as per BA). The 'barriers down and locked' feed from the controls would have released the GB lever to be put back in the frame and that in turn would have handled all the mechanical interlocking with the relevant signals etc. Unless there is the intention to provide an equivalent lever at MD, then I suspect the crossing controls interface will have to manage the additional interlocking.

 

I have not believed any wordage coming out of the WSR ever since the time that the associates of the Weston Super Mare, Tyseley and North Wales mafia (plus sycophantic local hangers on) seized control of the WSR Plc.

Thus, under no circumstances would I consider making any donations to their current pathetically managed appeal for financial assistance. The PLC
has yet to accurately state how the appeal fund money will be ring fenced and used . Neither has it published the promised up to date reports of the appeal fund progress. Therefore donating to a WSR Plc appeal for funding , to my way of thinking, would be as sensible an action as investing in a ponzi (pyramid) scheme.

How much in the way of donated support funding has actually been received to date? I get the impression that the answer is probably a tiny fraction of the millon sterling that this reckless PLC is attempting to persuade share holders (and stake holders alike) to blindly part with.

Like all other WSR supporters I have the strong desire to see the railway both survive and flourish. However, I see little future for the WSR if it continues to be managed as a heritage transport service in the same way that one might choose to operate dodgy boat or bus services.

What has recently happened at Llangollen should be a wake up call for all railway enthusiasts . No doubt, within the next year or so, there will be similar events occuring at Minehead. That is unless the apparently dormant share holders take some hasty remedial action to curtail the behaviours of those at the head of the management pyramid.

Jamie.

 

I note that the Plc's appeal information does suggest that people might wish to donate to other associated appeals instead, such as that from the WSRA. Apart from the 'mixed message' issue, that does offer the scope to give to an apparently better managed appeal with Gift Aid capability. Maybe the Plc would be better off leaving ALL fund-raising activities and associated publicity in the hands of the Association?

 

You say: “Like all other WSR supporters I have the strong desire to see the railway both survive and flourish.”

In which case, follow RailWest’s advice and donate to one of the other members of the WSR ‘family’. A strong and effective supporters organisation is surely key to the way forward?

 

I know that the equipment for a similar MCB crossing on another railway came from europe, I think it was Switzerland, hence the reference to Brexit?
If I recall correctly wasn't Seaward crossing supposed to have been completed by July, Therefore isn't the WSR in a position to claim compensation from the contractors or SCC?

 

You mention an organisation (singular). So which one is the strong and effective supporters organisation - the WSRA or the WSRHT?
I certainly don't think many people would be rushing to give money to the WSHRT after their recent antics with the PLC.
As for the WSRA, they didn't exactly come rushing to the aid of the members of the SDRT did they?

Since neither organisation wields any power with the PLC I don't really think strong and effective are words that can be used.

 

There is one primary supporters organisation. If people want a way forward all I’m saying is that it looks like the best vehicle available for doing so, but it may need strengthening. Withholding money from it seems (to me at least) a curious way to help “the railway both survive and flourish”.

Edit: I live quite a distance from the WSR , so I rely on official communications, but my impression is that the WSRA is rather reticent about Bailey. Some statement might be welcome.

 

You obviously failed to note my use of the phrase "sycophantic hangers on". Many of the people who comprise the management boards of the WSR FAMILY fall totally into thìs sycophantic hangers on category. They seem to respond , where it is legally possible, by jumping to whatever height the WSR Plc demands of them. Thus they are, in the main, powerless family members dominated by a dubious patriarch.
I rest my case
Jamie.

 

Nope, I read it and didn’t especially like its tarring of all folk with the same brush, if that was indeed the intention. Basically, I cannot see what other focal point there is than the WSRA. If you send your money to them rather than the plc don’t you strengthen their hand - “He who pays the piper calls the tune”?

 

Given what happened with the S&DRT & what the PLC Chairman is stated to have said to the then WSRA Chairman when they handed ob=ver a large cheque I suggest that the WSRA has either no ability to call the PLC's tune or wilingness to use any leverage it might have over the PLC.

 

So do nothing then other than post on here?

 

So what do you suggest we do?

As has been said many times before there is something about the WSR Culture that is very wrong, which I suggest is in turn linked to its structure with everyone beholden to the PLC board who are for practical purposes only accountable to themselves, in part of course because one of the two major shareholders is not willing to hold them to account and has a rather close relationship with them.

 

Donate via the WSRA and help them grow stronger and more influential.

 

Hard times and changed circumstances require a change of mind?

 

I can second the supply chain issue point. Then add on that that job on the WSR is a very small job for a contract.

That will depend entirely on the wording of the relevant contract
1) what was the contractual finish date
2) if it is delayed, was the risk the contractor's or the Employers?
3) Has the Employer done things to cause delay? Change, late payment.

Any contractor dealing with a local authority and an entity like a preserved railway is going to be very careful about how much risk it takes. Then you add on the ground conditions, Brexit, Covid, etc etc. Main contractor margin is usually sub-5% overall, so you don't go betting the house on a little job like that.

 

Can you explain how you think that is achievable? As I understand it, the WSRA can't influence the plc by buying additional shares at the minute because the plc isn't selling any. I'm not sure what you mean by 'stronger' - are you thinking in terms of members, because I'm not sure that would have any influence on the plc either. With regards to finance, the WSRA can either hand over cash when the plc asks (which it has done in the past, with little or no gratitude shown from the plc), or it can say 'no more money until reforms happen' which could risk being thrown off the railway (see SDRT).

I'm not sure that the current plc are open to changing their mind, I see no evidence of it.

I'm afraid that there comes a time when you have to say 'enough is enough' and stop feeding the hand that keeps biting you and everyone else

 

Quite right, it seems any donation via the WSRA is just a back pocket for the plc and therefore best avoided

 

Change has to come from with in, and that's why any change will come too late to save the line, You have the PLC, ruled over by a clique, who it appears don't do listening, and has ensured sufficient support to render any attempt to un seat it a failure, it has a major shareholder subservient to it, and uses its shareholding to ensure nothing changes that might unseat themselves, Only outside pressure will force their hand, this can only be in the form of being made insolvent, and left with no wiggle room to play the blame game, wither by design, ie a buy out of the assets at rock bottom prices, by some of the management, or sheer mismanagement, I'm not clear about, but the end result will be terminal, unlike the Llangollen, there is no trust owning the licence, track etc, and enough rolling stock, to stage a resurrection, when the WSR PLC goes, so does everything, and those who supported the Cabal, will have as much guilt as those who allowed clearly unsuitable people into the boardroom in the first place.