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New MHR Website:

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Swan Age, Sep 20, 2009.

  1. SteveG

    SteveG New Member

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    I had deliberatly not commented on this thread as I am responsible for the GWSR website and I don't see it is my place to comment on other's efforts. However as a few of you have mentioned our site I thought I'd pop up.

    Firstly thanks for the kind words about our site. There has been a huge amount of effort go into it from both myself technically and Ian Crowder who supplies most of the content and it is always good to know that these efforts are not only appreciated by our own members and visitors but by the railway movement as a whole. I was very keen to strike a balance between needing to have the commericial/martketing face to the site but also remembering to keep a good solid enthusiasts section going. Afterall if it wasn't for enthusiasts none of us would be in the hobby.

    We may be lucky in that I am a web developer by profession and Ian works in PR so we are able to bring our "real life" skills to the job. I should add I'm a developer not a designer which is why the site isn't necessarily the best looking around but functions pretty well. Ian and I have talked recently about the time we put into the site and are pretty sure we could almost turn it into a full time job for us especially as our running season draws closer but like everyone else on the GWR we are volunteers.

    I certainly take on board that some of the department updates are not as regular as maybe they could be but it's down to having someone to put together the reports and send them in. We would love to be able to be on site and have daily updates but that just isn't possible.

    One thing I know from building sites professionally is that they are never finished and the GWSR one is no different. It will continue to grow as we as a railway grow. I'm sure we will make some mistakes along the way

    If there is anything people would like to see on there that isn't on there please drop me a line. I think we have things quite well covered for the casual visitor, are we doing enough for the enthusiast?

    Thanks for your time.

    Steve
     
  2. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Fair cop , one that is very good and one i'd missed
     
  3. Linesidephotos

    Linesidephotos Member

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    This thread has become constructive at last ! Indeed the Bluebell is a very good web site giving info to enthusiast and public alike. As are others we have mentioned before.Swanage is a little more difficult not because of content but layout.
    A web site for all has to be easy to negotiate for the Wizkids and the Nupties alike simple as that. As for an Unoficial MHR site that would go down like a lead baloon with the MD . What the ramifications for those that attempted this would be I dont wish to ponder. David
     
  4. RichardSalmon

    RichardSalmon New Member

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    Chris, Someone just pointed out to me this rather strange post by you.
    I am not moving house and even if I were, that would not affect the Bluebell web site!
    Regards,
    Richard
     
  5. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    I bet it was more than one Richard.

    Regards
    Chris
     
  6. 61624

    61624 Part of the furniture

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    That seems to me to be a deeply worrying statement, indicative of a railway riven by "us and them" syndrome.
     
  7. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    As a working volunteer I have found the working relationship between us and the MHR ltd far better than some I could mention.

    Yes of course there is the odd bit of friction but hey thats life.

    At least the Directors are approachable and will help if they can and every one of them is hands on either involved with cranes as the MD is or working on the permanent way.

    There is another Railway not a million miles away where hardly any of the Directors are hands on yet alone speak to you, it really is a "us and them " there.

    Think yourself lucky David that you are not at this other railway for if you were you would soon be glad that you were back at the MHR.

    Regards
    Chris
     
  8. PiliPili

    PiliPili New Member

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    I'm glad I work at a railway where several directors came and helped to restore 178 for last week's gala. I'd hate to volunteer at a railway where 'they' did not appreciate 'us'.
     
  9. LN850

    LN850 Member

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    the website has a new loco shed update and it is of the quality of tony wood in my opinion, from the eyes of a volunteer.
     
  10. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    Yes I saw the photograph of Roy Watts in clean clothes and a piece of sandpaper in his hand.

    Very nice.

    Regards
    Chris
     
  11. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    Just looked at it, absolutely brilliant both the text and the quality of the pictures.

    Dave has set a standard that all reports should be judged, well done that man and with Tim Beere updating on the commercial side the MHR is on to a winner.

    Regards
    Chris
     
  12. Linesidephotos

    Linesidephotos Member

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    I would not concider there to be an us and them syndrome at the MHR at all and that was never implied by my statement so people are miss reading between the lines here again .
    The MD is very hands on in many respects and likes to be in full control of all aspects of the railway not a bad thing . However an non railway Mid Hants Website would not be appeciated.
     
  13. Linesidephotos

    Linesidephotos Member

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    Its a start in the right direction and a very nice personal view of things .Lets hope he is able to take in all aspects of a day at Ropley. Visit all the departments there, as that will then equal a weekly Shed report and keep everyone happy.(ok not everone).
    There will never be a loco roster again so thats something that will be missed.
    Its 850 this weekend I beleve.
     
  14. 46118

    46118 Part of the furniture

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    Yes, well done to Dave Currie.
     
  15. davidarnold

    davidarnold Member

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    Totally agree. top notch stuff and nice to have an opportunity to praise rather than criticise the website. Cometh the hour, cometh the man!
     
  16. TonyMay

    TonyMay Member

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    The new website looks a bit cheesy for my taste but I can see it doing its job and appealing to its target audience.
     
  17. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    Let's hope that Dave Currie doesn't read the quote from Tony May.

    I say well done to the new man at the MHR. The report is informative and a joy to read. This is just what the website has needed. As Dave visits the Ropley workshops on a Wednesday, I wonder if he could kindly mention which locos are likely to be in service the following weekend? <BJ>
     
  18. TonyMay

    TonyMay Member

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    Why not, it's a perfectly valid opinion. I assume he'll also read the part where I said that it would appeal to its target audience, right? If you don't get constructive criticism, how are you supposed to improve?
     
  19. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    Are you using constructive critiscism just for the hell of it?, for example I am assuming that you are one of those types that finds fault in everything yet never lifts a finger to do anything constructive.

    if that is true then you must lead a very sad life, however if I am wrong then perhaps you would be kind enough to put the record straight?

    Apologies if I have made an assumption here.

    Regards
    Chris
     
  20. Swan Age

    Swan Age Member

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    I have to say that i welcome the new report by Dave Currie on the loco shed pages.

    It is what i believe is the way ahead, if it provides a weekly insight into what is going on at Ropley.

    Well done that man!
     

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