West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Hi Ken

Thanks for your kind words, I always tried my best, we have had plenty of great conversations in the past so I know we share many similar views and both have the WSR at our hearts. I didn’t want to give up, maybe in another life if things are different, who knows.

Regarding 4110, yes there was a lot of toing and froing and debate, however ultimately it was stated in writing that the 4110 group’s involvement didn’t fit into the WSR loco strategy now in place where no hired in engines can remain long term and as a result it was not available for sale to the 4110 group, this was after they had the pledges in place and the company set up and operating. This of course as you point out was not the only message being sent at the time and things were very confused and I had mentioned moving goal posts.

Anybody want to buy web domains www.gwr4110.co.uk, .com & .uk I have them going spare ???.

Regarding red route engines, I couldn’t agree with you more, and the comments made by #flyscotman123 above, let’s see how that plays out.

Happy to chat about it if you want to give me a call anytime.

 

PM your number

 

Very well said indeed. Time for PLC EGM methinks.

 

Something that puzzles me about the West Somerset Railway is that it appears that your General Manager is also a Director of the railway. I am not aware of any other line where such a situation exists. Is this not a conflict of interest?

Echap

 

No as he would have to leave a meeting where his remuneration etc was being discussed.. An executive chairman is a greater cause for concern and contrary to recommended principles of corporate governance.

 

With respect, it's not entirely about money though, is it? How much damage has this fiasco caused to the reputation of the WSR? How much bad feeling has been generated amongst the footplate crew who put their hands deep in their pockets only to be rebuffed? There is no way of financially quantifying that and you are already seeing the negative impact it has had... Several members are now saying publicly that they will not renew their membership of the WSRA, and now you seem to have lost a very dedicated member of the footplate crew and supporter of the railway who accomplished an awful lot in a relatively short period of time. How many more may follow in his footsteps and look elsewhere to volunteer?

As a final thought, firesales of this nature may seem a good idea in the short term to plug a financial gap but what damage will have been caused in the longer term by disposing of an asset that, once sold, can never be replaced? Future generations of volunteers may not look kindly on the decisions that have been taken over the past few weeks. I know the argument will be "if we don't raise cash, there won't be a railway" but selling off the family silver is, IMHO, never a good decision long term, especially in this case where the locomotive could have been kept on the railway... How much positive publicity and good feeling would that have caused? Instead, it seems the WSR has spectacularly shot itself in the foot.

 

How about the NYMR for a start?

 

Not sure I agree with your statement about duty to obtain the "best possible" price. One would get into immediate problems with a company having a sale promotion. Also, S172 of the Companies Act is qualified and it seems to me that 1 (c) might cover the situation.

 

Well, it worked out "Ok", I can't say I nor many of my colleagues were delighted with the way things went, but I will happily admit it did get results. There was an awful lot of unacceptable slagging off of not just the railway, but personal comments towards extremely committed directors which did nothing to further the cause.

There is certainly a difference between stirring things up and having reasonable disagreements with policy. I'd say a Plc is perfectly entitled to have words with volunteers doing the former, and in the latter sitting down with folk who hold such views in preference to them airing them in public. It seems the WSR management aren't quite getting the level right if what @Andy Norman is saying is true, I can't recall seeing any posts by him that have been particularly worthy of being "disciplined" unlike some "supporters" who presumably don't come under the PLC's remit, but do terrible damage to the railway's reputation.

 

It wouldn't do to see how other railways do things though would it? Things are different in Somerset!

 

Oh Dear!!

 

Fair enough, I was not aware of that. It still just seems odd to me that a General Manager is also a Director, but I take the point that more than one railway does it.

Echap

 

Unlike those in Somerset, we do it the right way in Yorkshire, as every Yorkshireman knows.

 

And how many corporate and institutional failures can be traced directly to organisations which suppressed dissent and didn't listen to alternative opinions?

 

So if I call you a f###wit it is only an insult if you already think that you are a f###wit?

That is an ‘interesting’ argument.

Very WSR, insult potential donors, then blame the potential donors for being offended.

You aren’t really helping.

But with an attitude like yours no wonder the WSR is such a mess. What’s the phrase again? You make your bed and that’s the one you have to lie in.

 

Get a grip mate.

 

I bow to your greater knowledge of humour.

 

Oh no, it appears that yet again that the fire engine has somehow been refilled at the BP hydrant. All very depressing