West Somerset Railway General Discussion

We are about as far ‘off thread’ as it is possible to get, but the comments have had me awakening grey cells long dormant.

Part of being able to ‘fit in’ successfully in Eastern Europe was to know the history taught to every schoolchild. The ‘Great October Socialist Revolution’ of 1917 was up there.

It always tickled me that in the modern calendar it happened in ... November. Hence cynical jokes about state or party arranged matters being a month late. Not to ‘get’ such a joke could be...er...most unfortunate.

Robin

 

I think it would make a good headquarters for the railway, I believe they are renting accommodation in Minehead.

DJB.

 

Hmm.

Hence my comment about one of the Charities taking ownership.

The House is, in its own right, an artefact of much greater importance than the Minehead Signal Box Plate recently acquired. It is a Station Master’s House. Given that I am not offering mine at Stogumber for museum purposes (!) there is significant heritage potential to be exploited.

At present the WSR plc and the Railway in general has much to prove in moving away from the ‘portacabin cities’ that marr some of our most prominent locations.

Must try harder.

Robin

 

AFAIK the BL Station masters house has a sitting tenant. Given the season of the year perhaps we could all stop the public speculation about this families home.

 

Mike

The family are well aware of what transfer might mean in the longer term. And also aware that it will be the longer term. They also have the security of their lease which has been novated.

Inevitable that such news will give rise to discussion, isn’t it? Especially as the purchase announcement very specifically encourages help with purchase through share buying and the like.

Robin

 

Then the railway would be able to run a morning DMU from Minehead to transport the staff, and back in the evening - but don't tell the Minehead Chamber of Commerce or they will want it extended to Taunton!

 

If volunteer accommodation is seen as a barrier to increasing volunteer numbers, then a business case could be made for using the property as such accommodation by projecting the number and value of additional volunteer days having such a facility available would generate. I have done this successfully in the past!

Although to the 'outsider' it reads as if something key is missing, I gather that WSRplc has purchased the Station Masters house at BL on a loan - can I say congratulations for having the courage to do this, no doubt against at least some naysayers who will see the very existence of a loan as a sure sign of impending financial doom!

Steven

 

Good comms from the Plc recently!

Steve

 

Yes, Steve. I have seen the latest news item on your website.

(Woot, woot, as my daughters used to say).

 

The current Southern end caters for 7 to 8 persons sleeping there. I can't see the SM House providing quality of the standard at Minehead for that number.

 

Good news on lineside passes. I made the point many months ago that while the revenue was small, it is almost 100% margin. Furthermore, withdrawal would only result in the activity having no control whatsoever.

 

Spasibo!

 

I am pleased to hear that this is all for the longer term. I was struggling to reconcile apparently conflicting information (not all news appears on NP first).

 

Let's hope the Partnership Development Group gets back underway soon. Then, developments such as this purchase, and the purpose/future plans, will be known to the partner organisations in good time and will not be a surprise.

Steve

 

Good to see that S & D lease on Washford Station has been extended. It is always a pleasure to see how well they keep the site.

 

Totally agree with that, easily the cleanest yard on the line

 

The loco roster page refers to a DMU being rostered in the post Christmas Steam Festival although the web page for the event still refers to all steam. Anyone know which is correct?

 

DMU. 89’s gone ‘tech’.

Robin

 

Thanks Robin

 

I gather the official webpage awaits updating. I also understand an official statement is imminent.

Steve