6023

The first part is correct but not the second if you mean that as a proportional comparison to today.

 

Indeed, many of the students that my son teaches are from the local area. My home area (near Toddington) when I was a student, was about 50 miles from my University.

Also, according to usage rules, fewer is only to be used when discussing countable things, while less is used for singular mass nouns. For example, you can have fewer ingredients, pounds sterling, people, or puppies, but less salt, money, honesty, or love. If you can count it, go for fewer. Just sayin'.

Anyway, I'm very much looking forward to seeing 6023 at Broadway this year.

 

Students have their particular use in breaks between semesters, which tend to coincide with peaks in visitor numbers too. Just because you aren’t there once a week doesn’t mean you shouldn’t investigate training upwards into new roles!

I study 400 miles away from ‘home’, and try to get back for one weekend during term for a footplate turn (usually during a gala). However at Christmas, Easter and summer I do a very large number of firing turns and was employed by the railway for three summers. Worth taking the time to train me I would have thought! Once I graduate I won’t be able to do as many turns but I can keep it turning over - every Little helps as one brand says!

 

Fascinating though this discussion of GWS general policy and how to recruit/retain youngsters is, I'm sure there are other threads dedicated to these topics. Meanwhile, back in Shropshire (or Worcs?), how's 6023 getting on?

 

I'll ask my Dad, he has a lovely view of the railway from his house.

 

In steam at Kidderminster this morning, due to go light engine to Bridgnorth later today.

 

Now I think you sounds very pessimistic. I have looked at web sites ,facebook -pages , videos etc, form several heritage railways in the UK, and seen a wealth of younger generation volunteers both male and female involved in all sorts of work.

This one for instance is a current picture from Didcot:https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=20db6d25154a44cea81fd5bb3c8bafdb&oe=5B0AB1C3

kind regards

Knut

 

Gauging checks at Kidderminster this afternoon.

 

Well, if it doesn't fit on the Valley then we're really in trouble. If BigAl's video is anything to go by, some people will be führious...!

 

More gauging checks at Bewdley. Straight through the back road:


Reversing through P2:


A bit tight on P1...


... but we have clearance Clarence!

 

I am afraid the sort of attitude that was a first impression of your comments is one of the reasons that 'the youth of today' 'don't get involved' - doing so can seem to involve hanging round with a bunch of grumpy old men who look down on them! As with all generalisations, largely untrue - just the same as accusing 'the youth of today' as having no enthusiasm!

The fact is the world has changed, no matter how much a certain demographic try to believe it hasn't, and it is unwelcoming and unfair to show an attitude of 'you aren't as good as us because you and young and lack the passion we had at your age' to preservation's future. Changes in work patterns and retirement ages mean that more volunteers are needed to cover the same sort of level of work as those who could retire on good pensions at 50 have been covering for some years. I have had a conversation with someone with many years volunteering behind them where they questioned whether those who had retired early and started volunteering at that point had the same passion as somebody who had been volunteering since their teens or were just keeping from under wife's feet, but that again is a generalisation and almost certainly unfair as a generalisation.

I visited the GCR today for the first time in years and there were a good number of younger volunteers (and a very good overall number of I presume volunteers, as well as a very good passenger turnout for what was a non-operating day for a number of railways) undertaking key roles, and seemingly volunteers of all ages working well together - if people want their line to continue, then ensuring that is the case should be their focus rather than 'holier than though' proclamations that the youngsters should treat their elders and betters with due reverence for founding the place all those years ago (and in fact treating people as welcome additions to the team almost certainly will see the 'old stagers' treated with the respect and reverence they deserve - founder members I knew always treated all well and were loved and respected).

The big difference for locos that have been restored and have worked is that they should have earned something to 'pay' for the next overhaul, be it cash for the owners or cash for the railway to restore something else which is now earning cash to restore the previously working loco!

Steven

 

..... and even grumpy old gits were properly grumpier in the old days.

But has it honestly ever been any different? The only real difference I can see is we've now got all this 'ere social media to preserve every snarl, harrumph and pratfall for posterity!

As always ..... Grumpily Yours,
Howard

 

I've included several images within a photo collection from Saturday on my website that features 6023 King Edward II.

I hope you enjoy taking a look.

http://evergreen.zenfolio.com/p359259132#ha4882bc9

 

Unless I'm mistaken, tomorrow (Tuesday) is the first day of 6023's test runs, presumably between Bridgnorth and Highley.
Have the times of these trial runs become available yet?

 

I'd be surprised if there are any timings - more likely simply run when ready - not a public event!

 

"Untimed" http://www.svr.co.uk/MeetTheLoco.aspx?id=126

"Test trains to run untimed" per Traffic Notice https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/e7bd59_63ad656161124fe9b8dda544f49e0108.pdf

Patrick

 

Just seen 6023 climbing Eardington bank. Seemed to be steaming well. Sagety valve was feathering and a nice crisp bark. Not very loud, but the loco didn't appear to be working particularly hard.

 

Just spoke to the footplate crew at Bridgnorth. The loco is steaming really well, better than expected was the comment. The loco was opened up a bit more on the second trip that I saw and the bark sounded magnificent. It looks like Jos Koopman's blast pipe is proving a great success!

 

Do you know what coaching set it is please?

 

I assume she is not eating coal anymore! Happy days!