West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Without commenting specifically about the WSR, it is in the nature of railways that they are made up of immensely costly, but very long-lived assets. In that sort of environment, even with good management, it is difficult to know to what extent you are genuinely financially stable, and to what extent you are gradually depleting residual life in assets without proper replacement. Track is one area (where rails may well last 40 or 50 years, but once they are worn irreparably, you will start to see problems springing up in many areas) but there are others. For example, look how many locos across the country have run two or three periods in traffic with not much more than a few stays replaced and re-tubing every ten years, but suddenly need more or less complete new fireboxes costing hundreds of thousands of pounds. (Wasn't a figure of £1m suggested not long ago as the estimated cost to get the WSRA Manor back up and running?) Only at which point does it become more obvious to what extent you have been relying on residual asset value left over by BR.

To a degree, money within the business is fungible, but some things are easier to make a case for altruistic donations than others. In that sort of environment, it would probably be prudent to focus company money on infrastructure and rolling stock repairs, i.e. the track and the day-in, day-out carriages (because such things are very hard to fundraise for) and then base targeted appeals around locomotive overhauls (which, ultimately, are sexier). Only if you are very effective at generating traffic are you likely to be able to fund all of the "big three" (infrastructure, locos, rolling stock) just from revenue.

Whether you consider that a problem probably depends a bit on your point of view. I'd agree with @Maunsell907 that, if you took a dispassionate business look at most heritage railways, they wouldn't be an especially pretty sight. On the other hand, presumably most of us are involved in preservation, and are members of societies, because we take enjoyment from restoring and operating old railways. But it's a hobby, and ultimately it has to be paid for - revenue from the public gets you a long way, and it is always worth exploring how to increase it, but any shortfall will ultimately be paid for altruistically by those for whom the hobby is an especial enjoyment.

Tom

 

TFS has already been offered a site at Woodlands Castle close to J25 of the M5 that has far better access than NF not to mention being a much more attractive site.

 

I would have thought that with a line the length of yours. numbers of nearer 250,000 p.a. would be needed. How practical this sort of level would be is uncertain.

PH

 

Who is the Lady that works both Swanage and WSR signal boxes on this group?

 

C'est moi!

Robin

 

Bump - someone must know

 

What is TFS?

 

Taunton Flower Show. Held at Vivary Park in Taunton for many years. The local council, who own the site, want to charge a higher fee that will make it uneconomic.

 

Heard gauging around watchet. But there's been Hst to minehead before? So don't know.

 

AIUI it is clearance issues somewhere!
Not sure exactly what and not sure what has changed since the last HST to Minehead.
Maybe the computer model used by GWR is different to the old way of doing it!
Robin F.

 

Did you take token from the inbound 73s at Swanage this afternoon.

Some people get the best jobs.....

 

Could've sent the flying banana up the line to check, oh wait thats a HST..

 

Sure did...

My office for the afternoon / evening:

Robin

 

Nice picture Robin. The levers are works of art.

 

Maybe. Some would say how you handle them can be that, if you get it right!

Robin

 

Quite probably no reason why you couldn't be doing that best job. it does take time, determination and effort but achievable.

 

I first qualified as a signalman well over 30 years ago now. It is an enormous privilege to be trusted with such a role at the heart of any Railway's Operations -especially on such a weekend.

Oh, and it is great fun!

Robin

 

The DEPG have just announced that D1010 has been fixed for running tomorrow. D7017 also repaired. Well done all!

 

The railway family are working together to get loco 4561, 4110 and 7821 back in steam again, with the WSRA using their charity status for the fund raising to get the Gift Aid funding as well for all three engines, against both the WSR PLC and the WSRA both trying to raise funds for their own engines. More on here as normal http://www.wsra.org.uk/2017/05/wsr-locomotive-restoration-fund-launched/