West Somerset Railway General Discussion

At one railway, I used to work at, the owners of the Thomas franchise tried to insist on everyone, paid, or volunteer having to undergo, at their own expense an enhanced DBS check, their reason possible risk to children, Anyway, some of us did get our own checks done, and passed, except for one person, who due to what the check unearthed, had to resign, after being told, that it was not considered possible for him to continue in his role, Obviously, only a few know what had been unearthed, but clearly it must have been serious, the sad thing is we had all worked with this person, and none of us found any reason to suspect that anything was wrong.

 

Aren't the checks the same whatever the "areas of concern" may be?

 

Apparently not, especially where "Extended" checks are made. As I understand, the intelligence sources considered do vary depending upon the role being undertaken.

 

Long been like that with the Girl Guides. Too long to quite sure but must be 25-30 years I reckon.

 

Swanage Railway Director Kevin Potts and I met by chance in the Q at Victoria Gardens on Friday morning having travelled separately and queued all night to attend the Lying in State.

But we did get to collectively photobomb the BBC Breakfast coverage of the Q! A rapid selection of suitable clothing on Thursday afternoon when my case for Friday settled and I realised I could attend found me in a WSR-badged windcheater.

Farewell Your Majesty, Long Live the King!

 

My compliments to Mike Rowe for some insightful questions at the WSR plc AGM.

 

Say more please

 

I happened to be at the Swindon Steam Museum last weekend.
Pleased to see that the loco driver simulation was based on cab ride from Crowcombe to Williton. Not a new film as the old coach was still in place at Stogumber (where did that go?) But good to see.
I've no idea what loco it was, it was a green one!
Anyone got any more background on this?
Ian C

 

For those wo are interested WSR accounts 2021/22 on Companies House website = https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/01010188/filing-history
A few interesting things in the chairman's report such as; Yes they are looking to upgrade the line to accept heavier locomotives (If the need should arise... Hem hem ), also they are still working with the SMS and other documentation etc to satisfy the requirements of the ORR (Thought they claimed this was done 18 months or so ago?) and lots of management restructuring (though still no mention of a HR or personnel manager...)
Also noting there is still "...a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern..." in the notes to the accounts. Oh well, we shall see...


PS Apologies if this has already been done - I might catch up one day

Edit:- Just found this in "Filing History
Statement of capital following an allotment of shares on 31 March 2022"
Anyone any ideas?
Date or period during which shares are allotted
From 31/03/2022 (Sic)
To 31/03/2022
Class of Shares: ORDINARY
Currency: GBP
Number allotted 287300
Nominal value of each share 0.1

 

It is interesting to note that one of the items listed in the strategic report is "Preparations for the overhaul of locomotive 53808, which is due back on the railway for this purpose around November 22".. Not long to go before we find out, then!

 

That’s about £29k of new shares sold during the year, of about £2.5 Million (face value) issued in total since 1971 as detailed on page 45.

 

What are you expecting to find out on November 22nd that you don't already know about 53808?

 

Whether the agreement to overhaul it will be honoured?

 

There’s a few of us waiting to find out about that, I think the Credibility of those responsible will come into scrutiny very soon.

 

If I'm reading the accounts correctly, the WSR plc has made a provision of £249k in respect of the overhaul of 53808 (page 44). That, taken together with the statement in the S&DRT accounts about the loco returning to the WSR in November 2022, suggests to me that the WSR plc is fully expecting to start work on overhauling the locomotive in the near future, with the attendant cost.

Tom

 

The question in my mind, linked to that from @61264, is whether that provision will be backed by cash when it needs spending, given the WSR’s own financial challenges.

Linked to that, sadly, is a question around trust due to the issues discussed at length on this and other threads. Right now, all I can do is observe that the right indications are being made, and hope that those involved rise to the challenge.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Indeed, I realise a provision isn’t the same as cash. But if they were planning to drag their heels, they aren’t exactly laying the ground work to not do the overhaul. There’s no holding statements like “talks continue with the SDRT about future plans for 53808” etc etc.


Tom

 

Completely agree, and the WSR currently deserve the benefit of the doubt on this.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

So what is in the public domain is:

1. The loco is contracted to the Watercress Line until the end of its current boiler certificate.
2. The boiler has an extension until Autumn 2023
3. The WSR have made a provision in their accounts for an overhaul
4. The financial situation of the WSR remains sufficiently questionable to require a qualification in the accounts

We can conjecture that there remains some feelings between the organisations as a result of the happenings of a couple of years ago.

The only conclusion we can draw right now is that it is unlikely that there will be any resolution or indication of the future this November.

 

What is said by the WSR in public and what happens behind the scenes has not always completely aligned in the past.