West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I've passed that place many times and I thought it was just a rest area. It isn't really visible whilst driving west. Their website says it is open 6am-10pm so I'll certainly give it a try. Many thanks for the info.
RobinL

 

I have absolutely no doubt that there are numerous catering establishments happy to relieve WSR bound customers of their well-earned in the area and on various routes to the Railway. I am equally well aware of the dangers of 'over-provision' of catering facilities and how a non-hot meal outlet can easily be more profitable than one serving full meals over a considerable period if the requirement to achieve this is extra staff.

However, I am also aware that I would hesitate to go anywhere near any establishment whose supporters meet any suggestion of shortcoming, or of potential improvement with the hostility that SOME WSR 'supporters' show on here (I use 'quotation marks around 'supporters' as the attitude often means, whatever their motive, they all too often harm the Railway they express their love for far more than assist it!).

I have enough experience of trying not to roll my eyes at suggestions of what has failed when tried long before the latest newly arrived, self-professed 'saviour' of an organisation came on the scene to know it can be frustrating, but that doesn't mean that rudeness or attempts at 'shouting down' or humiliating such suggestions are acceptable or the correct approach. And, you never know, peering down through the mist between us mere mortals and the highest turret of your ivory towers, you might just actually come across a suggestion that is worthy of consideration!

(I know I am almost certainly wasting my time with such comments as far as the worst offenders are concerned!)

I also note that various suggestions have been made of how to divert income the WSR could enjoy elsewhere, whilst also being aware that the WSR may not be able to enjoy that income profitably - but, on the other hand, it may!

Steven

 

Most preserved/ heritage/tourist lines have to accept that they are in the hospitality business - despite what many of the supporters/volunteers may choose to believe. Without the goodwill and welcome of those involved with the railway, in whatever form that may take, the continued patronage/donations/volunteers etc. will slowly diminish. Most railways featured in this Forum launch appeals from time to time. For some inexplicable reason many enthusiasts are often quite free with their money parting with it without tears. However those lines seemingly wasteful or frivolous with the contributions they receive might find less enthusiasm in future.

 

We do seem to be bickering about the porridge again. Looking forward to having some train services to talk about on our wonderful railway, in the next few days and weeks! Enjoy the Gala folks, lets all be grateful for the hard work put in by those who have spent hours, days, weeks organising it and who are now worrying in case it isn't as successful as it deserves to be, and to those who turn out at 4.00 a.m. to fire up a loco whatever the weather, like happened last Sunday.

 

I'm very sorry Railrover but I think you are being rude , no need for it .

 

I recently came across an example of forthright Yorkshire marketing policy outside a Skipton junk shop "Chairs £5 each. Buy two and pay for both of them"

Sorry, major thread drift (again).

 

I too would have expected a "picnic area" to be simply that.

 

OTOH, my experience is that the comments to any widely-read and widely commented-on blog nearly always display exactly the same bickering as this thread, usually much worse, especially the political ones. There is the occasional rude post on this thread, but usually the discussion is well-mannered if somewhat OT at times, but then so what? A few pages of enjoyable thread drift is not using up much in the way of irreplaceable resources. It's not as if NP is a mission-critical source of news of the WSR.

 

Then, as I usually have considerable respect for your opinions, my apologies to you Paul. My posting was intended as a humorous response highlighting the somewhat strange, to me at least, criteria for deciding not to visit.

I'm afraid I do not feel able to apologise to the OP who, over several earlier posts, seems to take a somewhat unhelpful position when anything at the WSR does not entirely suit her personal wishes and requirements. If you look back you will find that Anne C-B has commented previously on the availabilty (or otherwise) of obtaining a full meal service at BL at a time to suit her arrival.

I responded to her recent missive as I believe that it was unreasonable of her to criticise the WSR in general (and catering availability in particular) when, on the gala day in question, she claimed the reason for her non-attendance was that the volunteer provided breakfast was not departing at a time to coincide with her arrival. This is far from the first time that this particular bee in her bonnet has caused her to make negative posts.

To be clear I'm not against the provision of more catering facilities at BL, though as others more knowledgeable and eloquent than myself have already posted, any additional facilities need to be cost-effective. On non-event days I can't see a breakfast service at BL even covering it's costs. On the gala day Anne C-B specifically referred to the breakfast service sought was provided, but at what she considered an inconvenient time, ie breakfast time.

Of course Anne C-B is, like the rest of us, entitled to her opinions and can express them how she chooses. Personally if I decide not to visit a railway for whatever reason (breakfast not being one of them) then I don't feel it necessary to post my decision on any forum or use it as a stick to criticise those providing the service.

Regards to you Paul

RR

 

S160 passing Stogumber with the military goods.

 

Which might be the case, however the "suggestions of potential improvement" seemed more like demands, of the "if they don't provide exactly what I want I'll take my business esewhere" kind. In the face of such attitude, I'm not surprised the WSR supporters are a tad defensive. The complainants seem to be of the opinion that what they are demanding has never even been considered in 40 years, whilst I would suggest such improvements have been considered and rejected, in the full knowledge that it isn't possible to please all of the people all of the time.

 

The Cartgate Services certainly do their best to maintain a low profile. Even the rather small blue sign on the approach from the London end only shows a hot drink symbol cup , rather than the knife and fork. Maybe the pasted comment below helps to explain. They are open 6 am to 10 pm and have a useful web site. You would not describe the cafe as 'plush', just good honest hot and cold food of the kind some of our correspondents are looking for.

Notes: Technically this is a picnic area, but it is officially endorsed in the sense that it's designed and run by Highways England themselves. It used to offer just parking for a number of vehicles with a wooded picnic area in the centre, where tourist information and a daytime-only toilet block could be found. The Highways Agency (now Highways England) tended to avoid building places like this because it has little in common with their main task of maintaining motorways. Eventually, additional catering facilities were provided, which gave Highways England a reliable on-the-ground contact.

 

Pannier 7714 viewed from autocoach 178 at Crowcombe Heathfield.

 

Interesting discussion on all the catering issues whether it be on the WSR or any other preserved line,for me its not an issue if there is any available catering to where i am going,i take my own,sarnies,flask and tap water in a bottle.If im staying say in Minehead like i will be for the Autum Gala,big brekky in the B&b,my lunch items every day would have come from home with me and taken out each day and then cooked meal in the boozer in the evening.I normally never buy anything hot to drink when away from home as i find most of it a rip off,Wetherspoon excepted.
Cheers
PS for those at the Gala,enjoy

 

Spring in West Somerset

Stogumber 22 March 2018

 

I don’t know what these “structural issues” means so perhaps you would like to clarify what you think they are. I don’t know if your comments are directed at me but as I have said repeatedly the WSR is not perfect and can be improved. Indeed, when I thought so, I have been very critical of the WSR usually in private first. Only when no response is the reaction do I air the complaint here. I have to say that as far as I am concerned Paul Conibeare has usually responded quickly for example regarding the painting of the BL toilet block. Does that mean I don’t disagree with him on some things? Of course not but we can still have a sensible conversation.What I have also said is the the handful of outsiders who have advocated wholesale change have not made their case. Just saying that the Much Twaddle Railway is the perfect model and should be imposed on the WSR is nonsense. I don’t intentionally try to humiliate or “shout down” people as it is seldom needed. More often than not their own words show the weakness of their arguments much clearer than any invective can.

 

Witherslack Hall ‘waits the road’ at Williton.

 

Did I just see 7714 piloting 6990 out of Mine head? Has there been a failure? I didn't see the auto go through Crowcombe either.

Edit. Just seen auto.

 

Auto there now.

 

Could you please enforce the No standing behind fence at the Taunton end of Bishops Lydeard, it is good location to photo when loco run around but spoilt by inconsiderate people who ruin others photos by standing down the ramp. Thanks. Great gala otherwise.