West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I will just observe that these may be questions that could easily be answered, but the fact that they aren't being answered tells us a certain amount in itself about the ability of the organisation to find, fund and deliver those answers.

 

No but any business HR or not needs a profit to survive. Profit may be a dirty word to some but without it you have no business going forward.
The only regular exception to that rule where it seems you can almost make heavy losses for almost ever is the airline industry. But eventually even they end up going bust.

 

The term "theme park" tends to be used in a derogatory way on these pages, but aren't all heritage railways theme parks? IMHO the key to making them more attractive is to offer more in the way of experience-enhancing add-ons to enhance the perceived value. Displays that illustrate how the railway served local residents, traders, merchants and industries could be set up as displays or perhaps working displays - for example a small foundry (that might be useful for the railway's own purposes or be self-funding by selling its products as souvenirs. Museum buildings, particularly if well done are another obvious area. The best example of a heritage theme park that I can think of is Beamish, and I don't think many people would describe it in derogatory terms.

What is often surprising is how much industry was served by our railways - take the NYMR for example, where Grosmont was served by ng tramways transporting iron ore to a blast furnace and there was a large brickworks. At Goathland there was another tramway transporting rock (and probably explosives in the opposite direction) to a stone crushing plant and loading plant at the station, and just outside Pickering there was a large quarry and an ng line bringing sand to a transhipment dock. And then there were temporary timber sidings along the line and (think) a siding to Raindale Mill. That's just industry, before getting started on general traffic such as cattle or fresh meat, furniture for house removals, general parcels, domestic coal, fuel oils and so on. It's a wonderfully complex and intertwined mixture telling a story of a bygone era that is barely touched upon on most heritage railways.

 

One more set of thoughts to add to the mix. I reckoned there were five basic markets for turn up and go travellers at the Minehead end.
1] For July and August and bank holidays in decent weather, the 2.4 kids family who have a passing interest in steam trains and are after a nice day out. Sometimes these were the ones who found themselves in Minehead on a wet day and decided the inside of a coach would be drier than the beach. [Wet weather often boosts ticket sales at Minehead.] Maybe half getting a whole line family ticket and most of the others opting for Watchet family return.

For the rest of the year, two groups who are keen to avoid the summer crowds if only for reasons of getting cheaper accommodation and avoidance of squealing children. Largely favouring Rover tickets which give you more miles per pound.

2] There would be the out and out steam fans, normally men with a male friend or two in tow.
3] And Senior Citizens, seeking a gentle undemanding nostalgic day out.

Then two groups likely to turn up at any time of year, and take shorter journeys.

4] Usually after lunch , younger people having a jolly at Butlins, spotting the trains and thinking it would be nice to 'have a ride on a steam train', possibly for their first and maybe only time. Watchet returns mainly.
5] And, a variety, including dog owners riding to Blue Anchor or Dunster and walking back along the shore, and a few returns for Dunster [to walk to the village] or Blue Anchor with no clear objective in mind unless lunch at the Driftwood Cafe.

Different markets at different times of the year and influenced largely by those who are staying in hotels or at Butlins for a few days in the surrounding area - including Lynton for example.

But please never forget, those who want to close the line between Williton and Bishops Lydeard, the vast majority of day trippers, and those holidaying in the areas of Somerset, Dorset, and Devon, normally chose to start their journeys from Bishops Lydeard , where [unlike Minehead] nearby parking is free, with the prospect of something nice to do when they get off. And no need to endure the additional 40 minute drive to Minehead.

 

I remember thinking when taking my trip on the WSR (in the days of the Park Royal dmmus) when I was the only passenger left after Williton - God where are all the passengers coming from, as mile after admittedly very scenic mile went by. So by all means keep Williton to BL open as it has now had considerble monies spent on it but operate it in the most cost effective way.
However, will the railway really be able to afford to run large steam locos for a 40mile round trip I wonder. The HRA have just advised their members to budget for 100% increase in coal costs. Red Diesel is also increasing up from 45p/litre to 70/80p today and I would think will top 100p/litre soon but the cost of diesel needed is less than coal so the outgoing in pounds is proportionaly less and railways are still allowed to use Red for motive power uses in trains.
Changing Locos at Williton may become a financial essential (and thus provide something for the passengers to get out and take photos of)
And thats after actually getting any coal to burn in the first place .

Brian

 

There are two plausible explanations why those in charge are consistently keeping shtum about their game plan. One is that they haven't got one. The other is that they have one which they daren't admit to, such as the plan for some sort of private takeover that was reported way back when on this thread and/or some sort of sell-off of some of the railway land for redevelopment. Whichever explanation applies, as long as the silence remains so will the lack of donations from individuals and grants from the bodies that could provide them. An additional obstacle to obtaining grants is the WSR's record on the use of at least one of the grants that it received in the past.

 

A third possibility, which I have encountered at other railways, is that they do have a plan but refuse to publish it - even to their own members/volunteers - because of any/all of the following:-

• a perceived 'need to know' (or in this case, not to know!) mentality
• a 'why on earth do you need to see that?' attitude
• a fear that it will reveal their incompetence
• a fear that it will give members/volunteers something against which to measure the Board/Trustees's lack of progress on key objectives

 

Some variations on a theme.

The WSR PLC was for some time pre-pandemic putting together a 3 year plan, which was in turn deferred because of the pandemic, and is now in hand. At some point in 2022 a game plan might/will be released. (Note that it's described as a PLC plan, and each one of us can form our own opinion of the dynamics of the PLC and other groups on the railway)

Also includes 'knowledge is power'

Additional:

• a fear that it will give ammunition to critics

 

Herself….

 

As I've said already it was the comment after they'd left you made i took exception to, not the actual offer of help.

 

You under estimate the power of three kids saying 'can we go to that place with the awesome adventure playground and the train again' every school holiday!

 

...except now they say "can I get my mobility scooter in there and do they offer pensioner concessions?"....

 

Thank you. And could I explain that your suggestion anyone would think me a grumpy old bugger after coming away from the booking office was deeply offensive, when you had no reason whatsoever to think I would have conveyed this impression to the passengers. As if I would. It is a fact, I know from experience of ten years plus , that some families will not take the walk [eg to Dunster from the station] on the grounds that their children would object. Thats what they have told me. Knowing this does not make me a grumpy old bugger. I suggest we end this correspondence.

 

The railway is still running, it is planning on running a full season this year. This has been done without the kind of funding the SVR/NYMR have needed. Had they not done it, then neither railway would be running. I think you miss my point. If you don't need to fund raise then you don't.

 

Christmas trains excluded I count the railway is running 165 days this year, although many days from with a far reduced offering compared to the past. That may be the right amount, economic and world issues may end up determining that is too much we all have to wait and see.
But I am very confused, an appeal was raised for a vast sum "to save the railway" which some donated to, yet suddenly the railway is in good health. Were folks lied to or did no one really know what was going on?

 

I meant more it's running March to October with a full length service, and yes some reduction in timetable but there are very few railways that are running the same or more as pre-covid.

Didn't the railway get a grant? And this was fundraiser was set up before trains ran again? I could be wrong.

 

The 2021 £1m SOS appeal included £500,000 for revenue. The PLC have said that their (unaudited) losses in the 2021 calendar year were ~£200,000 less than budgeted, so with the ~£170,000 appeal funds raised that puts them 'only' ~£130,000 short?

That doesn't cover the second £500,000 for annual infrastructure though. I've no idea if the recent change that allows 9466 to run might reduce the amount needed for the infrastructure element.

Any or all of the above might be off-beam, I find the position is somewhat opaque.

Culture Recovery 1, before the appeal launch 7th June 2021. It was unsuccessful in phases 2 and 3 applications.

 

Are you suggesting there is any heritage railway which doesn’t need to fundraise? The fact is they all do. Some of them, sadly not including the WSR, are very good at it.

 

I think it is dangerous to say SVR/NYMR would be running, I believe the Cultural grants they got just enabled them to avoid laying off more staff and keeping up with the day to day maintenance. It also allowed them to run a more limited service in COVID friendly format. Some of the grants I believe were also aimed at funding business improvements that would make them more resilient against such events in the future including IT.

 

Or a combination of both ?

Has anyone seen the plans for Washford yet ? I remember there being an urgent business need that was so strategic and sensitive, it could not be shared. Surely it's time for the great reveal ?