West Somerset Railway General Discussion

How does that save money? There's no reduction in infrastructure costs, no reduction in carriage mileage and still the same number (at least) of loco diagrams. The fuel difference is negligible and would be sensitive to a minuscule reduction in passengers put off by a reduction in steam or an even more protracted journey.

Tom

 

If the NYMR experience is anything to go by, a not inconsiderable number of visitors turn back when they see a diesel on the front. Even the promise of steam later is not going to change many minds.

 

I am surprised that no one has suggested advertising the full service as normal but then offering an authentic Bus Replacement Service from BL to WN. Just like the real railways.....

 

Quite. When I visited the SDR last year I choose the date of my visit to be one of the days when the advertised timetable said that there was a two train service and both of them steam hauled, I was not pleased to find when I arrived it was one steam loco and one diesel loco (OK I know there were probably good reasons why the 2nd steam loco wasn't available, but it was still disappointing.)
I also extended my holiday by one day so I could visit the SVR when they had an all steam service.

 

It would be interesting to know which it was; the statement was (I suspect deliberately) unclear ("for a number of reasons, including the actual cash sum that might have been raised, were unable to make a competitive bid"). Maybe they didn't want to be explicit (perhaps to avoid making anyone look bad, perhaps because it was too close to 'washing dirty laundry in public'), but that just causes people to wonder (in private, even if not expressed publicly here). Although if it was the second, I wish they'd be willing to own up, to prevent people thinking it might be the first.

A sad episode, all around. Sigh.

Noel

 

Probably a straightforward 'gazump'

 

I don't understand this continuing need to engage in WSRA bashing. There is no evidence that the WSRA intervened in the sale, more that the PLC decided that, if the loco was to stay on the line, they'd rather it was in the ownership of the WSRA. Now the PLC have decided to sell the loco off the line, and it's obvious from the statement that they went for the best offer. In their current situation, that's understandable.

Some people seem to want to blame the WSRA for everything that happens on the WSR. Presumably the snow at the end of last week was their fault too?

 

It’s all been very badly handled. It’s been known for 6 months or more that the WSR was considering selling 4110 and had offers on the table. Yes it wasnt until December that an appeal was launched to keep it in the WSR, and only a couple of weeks ago that the WSRA launched a competing appeal.It’s hardly surprising that enough cash has failed to be raised to match DSRs offer in that time period.

However the primary concern must be the survival of the WSR, if it’s in as bad a financial position as has been reported. No good keeping 4110 if there’s no railway to run it on.

 

Yep !

 

Most people who come along, want to come & see steam engines & travel on them to Minehead for a decent steamy journey.....

 

Indeed. NYMR has thrown up more than its fair share of diesel disappointments on my visits there.

 

and what Name will they bestow on 4110 I wonder?

 

Well the name Trojan used to be on 4588 until that was sold and I believe it was transferred to the diesel station pilot at Paignton. Maybe it could transfer to 4110.

 

Give JJP a chance he has only been involved a couple of months along with a number of his fellow Directors

It is going to be bumpy but I believe we can come through provided the overheads are addressed.

 

Good morning people. I am also amazed at all this speculation of cutting the Railway in half and several people have explained that it is not cost effective.
As to 4110 and the supposed WSRA counter appeal that is an absolute nonsense. The WSRA simply opened a channel where money could be donated through themselves and VAT could be reclaimed (GWR4110 Ltd was not VAT registered at that time) and Gift Aid collected. This makes the most propitious use of incoming funds. When will this thread realise 2 things. They are not the management of the WSR or WSRA and they do no good whatsoever by constantly seeing hares running around and speculating on their eventual destinations. I thought this was an operations thread?

 

Just the usual troublemakers Ken. Just click on their name and then ignore.

 

I've had plenty of diesel locos replacing steam during my annual visits to the NYMR. Some might have complained but I didn't!
But seriously, it is best to stick to whatever traction is advertised in the published timetable whether that be steam or diesel.
Subject to availability of course!

Ian R.

 

And if he does that, how can he or others counter the wilder elements of speculation that seem to take on a life of their own with amazing speed?

Steven

 

Hopefully a thing of the past. According to the stats, 98.5% of trains ran with their advertised traction lat year, up from 94% in 2017. In reality, that will be hard to improve on.

 

It was not speculation - it was my suggestion of a way to get the railway out of a "Dire financial" situation by cutting costs and concentrating effort on a smaller operation until the finances looked more secure.

Others may have other suggestions - selling a loco is one that has been put into practice and that didn't go down too well either.