West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Apologies, don't know the answer to this one. When a heritage line is used to store a main line loco between tours (and the line is not the loco's home line), would the heritage line normally receive any fees for taking care of it?

 

It depends on the agreement between the loco owner and the line.

 

I have oft heard it said that such things as galas bring kudos or allow volunteers to have enjoy themselves. That's fine but the question has to be asked, 'can the railway (whichever one) afford to do this?' There are a lot of railways out there which cannot afford to throw money away.
I'm also of the view that volunteer time should be costed into all these things. Exactly how much is going to be debatable but I look at it as me saving the railway from employing someone and even the cheapest labour is going to be about £60/day, more realistically, about £100/day. If you costed this in to the equation, it can significantly tip the balance in terms of what is worthwhile. I would be reluctant to give up a whole day of my life if the end result was that the railway was only better off by a few pounds. I value my time a bit more than that, even when I take any enjoyment factor into the equation.

 

Of course, and I did have those exact things in mind, but there is also income that can be gained as a result of an event that doesn't appear during the event, people who might not normally visit attracted by a special event then come back another time when before, they probably wouldn't have visited at all.

 

You're going into the realms of publicity now and it is often very difficult to quantify the effects of publicity, hence the saying "half of the money I spend on publicity is wasted. The trouble is I don't know which half." Show me the proof of your claim and I'll concede your argument.

 

I'm often at loggerheads with Bean Counters, though, as @Bean-counter will no doubt agree.

 

Getting the message out...

Robin

 

Now where have we read that before? (Word for Word)

 

This is how we have measured special events on the Isle of Wight for years. At least that way we know if it was worth doing financially.

But finance is not the only mesure of the worth of having an event.

 

West Somerset Railway - Then and Now

1972 - 2018

Bishops Lydeard looking south. The waiting shelter has been absorbed into the shop, cafe and ticket office. The platform has been extended and the signal box and stationmaster’s house are a bit more loved these days.

Nick Jones Collection / Robin White

 

Has anyone any advice on photo charters

 

I think the key point is that if you are going to justify an event for reasons other than financial, at least go into it with fully open eyes about how the costs and contribution compare with normal running.

Tom

 

They aren't public events Anthony, so if you aren't on the charter, don't turn up hoping to take photos.
If you are on the charter and it's your first one, take a range of lenses, a spare camera, hi-vis, wear boots and weather appropriate clothing. Check with the organisers if there is anything else needed.

 

Having been very impressed with the presentations made by the Chairman of the Plc and representatives of the support bodies at the meeting last Saturday, I decided to purchase additional WSR shares.

I went to Minehead station on Monday morning and submitted my application form and credit card details.

This morning, just four days later, I've received my new share certificate and Pass.

If the Railway can work as efficiently as that I think it has a bright future.

 

Does anyone know what the timetable for the reduced service looks like?

Nothing on the PLC websited and still showing the 2018 timetable, the 30th is not far away!

 

IMHO it might make more sense to 'top & tail' trains with a diesel between Williton & Watchet rather than make everyone change

 

That option is being looked at.

Ian R.

 

Good job for the 09, might get some people to travel for that over say one of the shredders

 

Unlikely to be the 09 as that is based at BL.
If it happens it should be one of the DEPG fleet from Williton, right on the doorstep!

Ian R.

 

West Somerset Free Press on the meeting which isn't a copy and paste and nothing that the trains not getting to Minehead at the start of the season.
https://www.wsfp.co.uk/article.cfm?... back on track&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2019

Could be a longer report in the paper its self.