West Somerset Railway General Discussion

That's a shame but at least we now know. I'm sure there must be a very good reason to cancel this previously heavily advertised service, especially as it was so commercially successful last year.

Last year there were concerns about the additional weight of two extra vehicles in the event of poor weather. In fact we were lucky and enjoyed fine, dry conditions. Perhaps that perceived risk was considered to be too great this time.

 

You can never have too many Manors.

 

Having enjoyed Camelot & Bodmin - Big Chuffers both on the WSR this year & 75069 many years ago I'd add these to a Manor on the WSR

 

Need to be careful you are comparing like with like though. E.g. Published income in accounts not a figure on a whiteboard without context (most likely ticket sales year to date). WSR income for 2017 was £3.3m for the full year. GWSR was £1.7m. Even then what each railway includes as income in any one year may not be identical if there are ‘one offs’. As a GWSR shareholder, 2018’s results will be interesting - I hope the 20% increase in passenger numbers is fully reflected in income given the number of shares issued to fund the extension as it is suggested many shareholders have been using their entitlement to free tickets.
At the end of the day of course, as the saying goes ‘turnover is vanity’ - you need to know what your costs have done too, to come to any sort of meaningful assessment.

 

Fair comment, but I drew the conclusion that yield per ticket had also risen - which has to be good commercial news, regardless of the movement in costs.

 

Those of you who are WSRA members will see Ken's reasons for retiring as a volunteer in the latest journal, at the end of the Wagon Restoration Team article. Suffice it to say that age and its consequences catch up with all of us in time. On behalf of all supporters and friends of the railway, thanks Ken for all of the work you've done over many, many years. You'll be missed.

 

Best Xmas present would be seeing 7828 in steam

 

Very true .

 

Err No.
I'm thinking of 2 classes where you would need to see at least 2.

 

I would not like to be the person who has to wrap it! At least, there will be a fire that the paper can go straight into!

 

I'm watching some interesting activity on the RailCam UK cameras at Williton right now.

A low loader is positioned in the yard and it seems that the tender for 7828 Odney Manor, which was
taken there from Minehead on Wednesday, is being loaded.

Anybody know where it's going?

Stef.

 

Now loaded and ready to depart.

The haulier is S.A. Smith.

Stef.

 

Its the tender from 4936 not 7828. Its going to Tyesley.

 

Apologies for the quality of my snaps from Williton this afternoon. The light was a bit challenging.

Robin

 

Nowt to apologise for Robin. Your pictures were spot on.

 

You are absolutely right.
GWSR enjoys a very high volunteer/paid staff ratio and so income equals in theory larger profits.
Swanage (and I am exaggerating) employs half of the Purbecks and so it struggles to generate a profit for growth re investment.
WSR I think, along with a huge infrastaructure, has the same problems as Swanage.
More volunteers needed!!
This actually is a wider shout out, apply at your nearest heritage line, it needs you.

 

Nice photos, as usual, Robin. But what's the locomotive in the first picture? It looks like a castle, but I didn't think there was one at Williton.

 

Kind of you to say.

Thornbury Castle.

It came off the same low-loader which collected Kinlet’s tender.

It is at Williton Restorations on a private client basis for work to be done.

Robin

 

Thanks Robin.

 

The cameras at Williton are positioned to provide WSR Operations with as much safety and operations-related information as possible. The views cover the loco holding points for both directions, the position of the east side level crossing gate, the crossing itself, the parapet of the A39 overbridge and the local signal aspects. As such, there is little scope for adjustment to eliminate the capture of non-railway objects. Railcam is working closely with the WSR team and the interested third parties to develop a solution acceptable to all concerned.