Peak Rail Annual Report and Action Group

What a shame things go so wrong, and so publicly too. I remember visiting some years ago when they invited 'Clan' to take up residence, such good opportunities are present there.

 

Having been earlier at the agm i did have to agree with Sheila that comments calling PR volunteers idiots is somewhat unfair, the move to make PRA a charity will be good but at the plc agm we need to ask about the plan B. My lasting impression of attending my first PRA agm is that new blood is needed and at 52 years old i was probably the youngest person there by some ten years. On a positive note i met up with mr fawthrope whom with his son Clive we first went to Peak Rail Buxton when i was 13

 

Wondering when we will get to see the statement by Dr. Pete Waterman?

Ed

 

Also do i recall that the late Dr Tony Marchington at one point was going to be Peak Rails saviour, i thought he was going to build a Flying Scotsman museum at Rowsley?

 

Do younger local volunteers prefer the Ecclesbourne which appears far more progressive ?

 

I have been advised to head there

 

As far as I know the Ecclesbourne valley was set up by lots of frustrated peak rail members. But if you look at what has been achieved in the short time it has been going Vs the progress at peak rail (many say lack of progress) there is no comparison. It will be great to see it at the steam gala in mid June.

 

Is Pete Waterman's doctorate an honorary PhD? If it is he shouldn't really be styling himself as (or be described as) Dr Waterman.

 

Two honorary doctorates according to wonkypedia.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Waterman

 

Cheers ears.

 

The more important criticism of “President” Waterman is that he is not officially a Director of PRA, PRS etc.


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The EVR did take on a railway which was intact so their job is relatively quite straightforward, although it is still just a OTW with single line with TMO level crossings and no proper signalling. PR seems to be one of those tin pot little set ups run by dodgey people who dream of cuddling up to some multi millionaire who is going to finance all their wildest fantasies. If there were to be a credible nationally strategic plan to reopen the Peak Line then the Stathams of this world (whatever the woman's name is) would be the first to lie down in front of the bull dozer to try and stop it. If the volunteers really want to get rid of her and her clique then they should just down tools until the shareholders do something about it, that is what I meant by supported by idiots; somebody must be keeping her in her job.

 

Yes there's probably some truth in that, although there are some younger volunteers doing sterling work at PR. Unfortunately PR's management team isn't renown for providing inspirational leadership. Purely based on what I have read and heard the EVR seems to have a better and more inclusive management approach, the EVR is working to a plan with key projects identified, prioritised and promoted. I'm not saying everything is perfect but compare it to PR's glacial progress. I can't recall a strategic business plan from PR Plc or PRA Ltd in the 25 years I've been a shareholder and member. Plc decisions are made behind closed doors without consulting members or shareholders and we drift from year to year with little outward sign of progress to customers. We have a superb location and impressive supporting groups so you would think that our modest passenger numbers, flatlining revenue and inability to raise any significant investment funds would scream out that something is fundamentally wrong. Despite this, the dominant Joint MD and clique supporters carry on regardless. I would say that a handful of the Directors are genuinely competent but they're too weak to mount a challenge.

 

If it's as bad as appears from postings on here, why are the volunteers not giving the management an ultimatum: hold an open meeting to explore options, develop a plan and put it to members and shareholders for approval; or we all walk away leaving no-one to operate the railway.

 

And still we wait for the promised letters from Pete Waterman which are supposed to help us understand the situation a little better.

 

Peak Rail have now put up an apology (of sorts) rather than face legal action. See the PR website
http://www.peakrail.co.uk/
RF

 

Not the sort of thing a first time visitor expects to see on a homepage.

 

Thats certainly eye opening. A very public apology on the website front page

 

I'd agree with that statement, Dare I ask has there been any progress to get rid of the old management & get new in?

Plus I take it any extension plans are dead in the water??? Remember someone saying it'll be very complicated.

Peak rail sadly looks to be going nowhere fast anytime soon. The younger volunteers appear to be at the ecclesbourne valley who are making much more progress.