35011 General Steam Navigation

I'll say it again. It's pointless having a Facebook page which can't be viewed by everyone. People may over look this project if they are unable to view there Facebook page.

 

It's a public page, I can certainly see it ok. Not that it gives me any confidence in the group's ability to deliver.

 

It's not public, you have to join Facebook to view it. Plenty of other Facebook pages where this isn't the case.

 

Hi

I've clicked on the link you put on your previous post and I've been asked to log on to Facebook before viewing 35011 Facebook page.

 

Off you go then. All I know is it says 'public group' on their page. Don't shoot the messenger.

 

There are 3 types of Facebook groups but all need a Facebook account to see them. A "public" is when anyone with a Facebook account can see what's posted who posts what etc. "closed" is people can only see who's in the group but not what's posted or you have secret groups which you get invited to and can't be found via searching.

 

Not quite. My band has a public Facebook page, looked after by another band member. I'm not a member of Facebook and nor is my mum, but we can both read https://www.facebook.com/threepressedmen. I can't read the GSN page without logging in.

 

That's a page not a group. Different thing all together to join those you just click the like button rather than requesting permission to join like you with a group

 

To try and clarify the Facebook thing, which does confuse a lot of people:
- If an organisation wants to publish information to the world, and control exactly what is on the timeline, they create a Facebook Page. Only the organisation itself (ie the page owners) can post things onto their timeline.
For example, the Bluebell Railway: https://www.facebook.com/bluebellrailway. Note that all the posts on their page have been made by The Bluebell Railway. It is publicity and self-promotion. You do not have to register with Facebook to view.
- A Facebook group, by contrast, is a place where Facebook members go to chat and to share information. Someone creates a group, and can control who can join it, then once someone has joined they can post and comment there.
So, in a way it's like an unstructured forum hosted on Facebook. Facebook members only. For example, 46233 Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/105180429515813/ (they call it a page but it's not)

So there you have it: broadcast to the world and his dog with a Facebook Page, provide a chat room with a Facebook Group.
My running club has both - a page, to attract people who are looking for information about the club, and a group where our members post photos, discuss races, ask questions, etc.
I'd suggest most "member organisations" should have both.

 

The group does have a like page which can be found here https://www.facebook.com/35011GSN they have featured the article I wrote for locoyard on it

 

The GSN facebook group is growing and they seem quite active which is good They are hosting a working weekend the first weekend of October so they seem quite serious but only time will tell. I get the impression that the thing which is going to make or the break the project is finding it a new home if they can talk there way onto a line somewhere they will be flying if not could be another story. I am hoping they can talk there way onto the MHR some how would great to see her on the Watercress

 

Perhaps they should ask at the Vale of Berkeley Railway - they look to have a nice big engine shed.

 

For our non facebook people they posted they have a new website which can be found here

 

for them to succeed they need the backing of a major railway, but in order to get that, they have to show they are serious, my view is that they should have moved years ago, selinge does not have the facilities, nor the group the money, to start the strip down, so they need to attract new members, and have a programme of how the work is to be done an funded, for the best chance , it needs to go somewhere like the MHR, and attract people who are used to working on un rebuilt engines.

 

I think you could well be right Martin, I know the project leader tried hard to get in on the Mid Hants but Colin Chambers said no due to lack of space which isnt that surprising if I am honest. I do hope they succed as it would be a great project.

In a werid way the best chance in terms of Southern based railways for a base could be the West Sommerset as they arent short of space.

 

Does the MHR really need another Merchant Navy? Could they find meaningful work for it on a line where 5-6 coach trains are the norm? Hillaire Belloc's epithet (or an adaptation of it) comes to mind: "The whale is not a table fish"!

The West Somerset, as suggested above, would be a better bet if (and it's a big if!) they want it - long run, 8-coach trains normally and not too flat. But these are expensive engines to restore and run and need a sensible level of load to be economical to run. I think that the purchase of 35005 by the Mid Hants was something of a panic measure once it became known that they would be losing the Bunch fleet and I reckon they'll find it hard to justify the cost of its next overhaul in 10-12 years time.

 

From the point of view of there being a need for an unrebuilt MN, I wouldn't rate this project but if it's a means of getting extra cash and bodies involved, I'd say go for it.

 

Have to say an original MN is a very worthy project when one considers the multifarious GW recreations underway. Hope it succeeds.