West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I would want to see what comprehensive plan for tackling the funding issue is rolled out before declaring that giving money to the WSRA is the only way to go. I think the loco funding, as is not uncommon with loco matters, is a distraction from the hard work ahead.

 

Re the 9531 blog, I thought it was a good idea:

"The plan is for those doing the work to take some snaps each day that work is carried out on 9351 and for them to be uploaded with a commentary later that day, so the whole process can be followed from the move to Williton to hauling her first passenger train.."

It would engage the wider supporters and show the WSRA in a better light.

Sad that it has stalled.

 

So has the fundraising :-( https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/assembling9351

 

It hasn’t stalled!! It’s working perfectly fine. Go to www.wsra.org.uk/category/9351-blog/

 

I hope the plc Chairman will answer the question 'how can we help?' at the meeting on February 2nd

 

Whilst I don't like to be a knocker from my armchair it does appear to have stalled as in clearly states on that page :

The plan is for those doing the work to take some snaps of the work each day that work is carried out on 9351 and for them to be uploaded with a commentary to this blog later that day.

And it only shows Day 1 - 21 January and unless I'm very mistaken its now 25 January with no updates. . . . . its hardly the end of the world but there is certainly room for improvement - how about moving the goalposts to say weekly updates if its proving too difficult to provide that daily service?

Sadly sat up here in Cumbria it would be difficult for me to help, never mind my other commitments.

 

Each day that work is carried out

 

Almost Certainly

The speculation has to come to end and we have to know with what we are dealing - good and or bad!

I urge the plc Chairman to reveal all - only then can we all help as we ALL want to see the WSR prosper

 

I did wonder whether the announcement of the blog might be a spoof, intended to highlight the possibility that those working on the loco might have better uses for their time than posting daily updates. If it is genuine that's wonderful but, as fergusmacg says, it does currently only show Day 1.

 

So either no work has been carried out OR work has been carried out but not put on the blog.

Either way something has stalled this week, there may be very good reasons for this but if you want to drive this project to completion (you know donations) more updates may be a good idea even if it's a "no work this week as we are awaiting delivery of XYZ" type of blog posting? Just a suggestion . . .


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Oh for goodness sake, it’s pathetic. So just because there have been no updates for 4 days, it is suddenly now a matter for intense speculation that the entire project might have failed. I despair. Give them a chance people.

 

Doesn't tell you anything does it?

 

I thought today was the 25th not the 21st!

 

Perhaps the problem with the WSR is people are too quick to jump down someones throat even when its people giving a helpful suggestion - yes its not the end of the world but as I said as much, what's the problem?

PS - Simply the problem is the newly published blog pages hint's at daily updates - and this has caused people to think the project has stalled when they did not appear, its early days and it probably hasn't stalled but if you want to prevent idle or vindictive speculation I feel someone needs to up their game.

 

Why on earth do they think that the Queen was talking about Brexit? Don't they realise she was referring to this thread?

 

I did make the point that it might simply be down to the people working on it not yet having the appropriate access to update it.

 

Yes, get all parties of the WSR together for tea and cakes at the Palace, if still no agreement the Queen will get her husband to drive them home.

 

Neither negative nor innaccurate, as Alistair comments. I would also refer you to my earlier post #16092 which gives my thoughts on communications in this sort of crisis situation, views which have been developed from many years of experience in the voluntary sector.

Rather than “spreading doom and gloom” I was making observations based on the information so far released and pointing out that many of the negative responses to date could have been avoided by the Board making a clear statement of the main problems early in the piece, to be followed by explanations of proposed remedial action as these were developed. This would have allowed all interested parties to have input, if they wished, and for joint strategies to have been constructed before being set in motion. - And to answer your question "how do you know there hasn't' been a 'careful analysis of the situation and possible answers' You don't!" This is exactly my point : There has been no information on the subject for the best part of two months so, No, I don't know, but then neither do you know that there has been ! We can translate the silence either way but we are both in the dark together.

You seem to have a dislike of this form of “social media” but I think you do not understand its value. This website provides a platform for people who are interested in railways in general and, in particular, preserved or heritage rail. As such, almost anybody posting is genuinely interested in the subject under discussion and many bring with them considerable experience in different aspects of our “hobby”. Rather than “spreading gloom and doom”, from the beginnings of this current crisis there have been regular requests for more information from various interested parties (members, volunteers, shareholders and supporters) which have largely gone unanswered. Instead of responding with facts there has been an almost complete silence, so much possibly useful advice and assistance has gone missing and, as Alistair says “(Many) ...find recent developments very worrying.”. I see that as counter-productive.

Proper use of this media to communicate problems can lead to support and useful information being forthcoming. In this case I think the Board has, so far, put the cart before the horse. I will look forward to outcome of the February meeting in the hope that things are clarified.

 

Should be a preferred WSR reading.

 

I see the WSR has engaged a Communities Engagement Officer, somebody ought to point her to this thread?