46233 Duchess of Sutherland.

A remarkable article in the latest Steam Railway regarding controversy surrounding the livery fundraising vote - I was quite surprised to see my own username mentioned along with several others from this site!

Whether or not the story told in the article is true, and whilst I remain uncomfortable with the poll, I think it worth my saying that I have every confidence in PRCLT to look after 6233.

 

Ah, that's David Wilcock, back again like a bad penny. What a surprise! He has a reputation for sensationalising straight forward stories, and going on at considerable length about BR liveries, especially with reference to 6233. I did wonder whether the livery poll was designed specifically to wind him up! I will read that article with my sceptical glasses on. ;-)

 

Yes, I'd noticed the author too...

 

I am most unhappy that comments made upon this forum have been 'lifted' for Publication in a National periodical apparently without any permissions being sought from either the site owner of the individual members concerned!

 

No there aren't any legal restrictions. If you post on a public forum then in the eyes of the law it's fair because you have posted in the public domain for anyone to read and share. That's why so many news organisations quote from Facebook and Twitter now. If it was a private message they'd hacked into though that would be different and if they've twisted your words at all which could defame you then you could have a case. But they don't have to get our permission, no.

 

However, I agree with 'Oakfield' in as much as it is polite, regardless of whether the action remains legal, to at least ask the contributors of the forum if their comment/s can be used in their magazine.

 

While accepting that one (if not the main) aim of the poll was to raise money for 6233's overhaul, I feel its more than a bit unfair that Brell Ewart who has had much involvement with the loco in the past should scribble out checks for thousands of pounds to "vote" for LMS Crimson many times over, while those of us who will pay to ride behind the thing can give no way near that amount to vote for the livery that we want. Whatever happened to one-man-one-vote?

Certainly I'm more than a little disappointed at such as scam designed to lift as much money out of people as possible. If PRCLT need to raise money, why not do it in a more legitimate way? Such a shame also that those who are working like machines at Butterley to get 6233 back in order (and in the controversial livery) are overshadowed by this episode.

 

Could someone point me to the page number for the article please? I don't seem to be able to find it.

Thanks, Neil.

 

51 - 55

 

No wonder he is back at SR - that will fit in with their new 'Daily Star' journalistic tone where sensationalising a story comes well ahead of actually supporting the movement.

Sorry, been a bad day - but just getting sick of the strange need for SR to stir all the time, it may not have been accurate in the past but at least it seemed to understand that it needed the support (and purchases) of the movement to sell copy, they don't seem as intelligent these days.

 

campainr has summed up my thoughts perfectly.

 

Thanks, I will have to have a look tomorrow, off on my brewery tour now.

Thanks again, Neil.

 

He did exactly the same thing before in Heritage Railway a few months ago which again named members of this forum and had exactly the same points.

 

Oh for Christ's sake do we have to go over this argument again!

 

And in the midst of the arguing over Mr Wilcock's credentials, a very salient point brought up:

Sorry, is this what has been reported in Steam Railway? If so then I think (as much as I agree to some extent about sensationalist articles, overbearing opinions, etc etc) we should examine the whole thing a little more carefully.

If the above is correct and that a past member with a vested interest in the PRCLT group was financing a livery option, then the fears originally aired in this thread about fixing the result and/or dishonestly raising the money seem to be well founded.

If what you have described is true, may I add my dismay. I had rather hoped the result of the poll would prove me wrong about such tactics.

 

First I have heard of that...

 

I'm not sure which issue of HR it is but it was in his Thin Red Line column but was a few months ago it appeared. I may be able to find the issue at some point. I haven't got the latest SR yet so haven't seen whats in that article.

 

It was in issue No. 150, May 2011.

 

He refers to it in his SR piece - May 2011 IIRC. I notice he quoted me too and several others.

I hope the content of his article didn't surprise anyone on here, as enough of us smelt a large rodent months ago. I certainly didn't throw any money at it.