Peak Rail Annual Report and Action Group

It's not really an apology at all though, is it? PR "accepts that he says he was not responsible" (my emphasis).

 

Says something profound about the current management, though, doesn't it? They just aren't straightforward enough to simply admit they made a mistake.

It's ironic, they're trying to avoid looking bad, and all they've done is make themselves look worse.

And I wonder how much of the railway's money they wasted on trying to defend this?

That shows what their true priorities are, too: do what's best for the railway, or try and cover up their errors?

Noel

 

The statement appears to be an agreed form of wording to conclude the unhappy saga, fair play to Pete Briddon if that is the case, time to move on for all.

 

Pete Briddon's opinion on the wording can be found on https://www.weekendrails.co.uk/blog/of-doc-holliday.html Scroll down to the last para.

 

He was not over impressed with their comments it seems. I guess, given the past history, he wasn't surprised. However those who support and have sympathies for him know the outcome which has exonerated him. Every dog has his day they say. It looks like it was Pete's day - even if low key.

 

Sorry, but who is Steve?

Dave

 

Amended to give correct name.

 

Thanks.
Dave

 

So, in the most recent 'Weekend Rails he wrote: On the station contractors continue the repairs to the down station building, which I'm told is being made weather-tight at council expense in order to make it saleable after the railway bowed out of it.

Does anyone know why the railway passed on the down station building (which, once sold to a third party, might be out of reach)? Did it not fit with their plans, or did they not have the money, or what?

Thanks for any data!

Noel

 

These are interesting questions to which I don't have the answer despite a FOI request a couple of years ago.

I assume you are referring to the gothic pile on the down side at Darley Dale station, which is the jewel in Peak Rail's crown. Frankly these buildings and the station are the only ones of any real original historic value on the existing line. It will be even more so, once the footbridge is re-instated hopefully in the not too distant future.

The downside building is owned by Derbyshire Dales District Council and I assume that they have a duty to their council tax payers such as myself to get the best value for money for any assets that are sold or let. They had scaffolding erected in Sept/Oct 2018 to carry out essential repairs, and it was still there last Sunday!

I hope that at the very least that there is a Peak Rail presence in the building, even if it is only in part. It is interesting to see what has been done at Matlock Bath station, where Derbyshire Wildlife Trust now have a delightful café, and you can still see the majestic interior, albeit for a different use that originally. I have not seen in the local press any plans that PR may have for DD station. There still seems to be an obsession to extend to Bakewell and beyond, which ain't going to happen! Much better to maximise what PR have in developing DD station and Rowsley as destinations in their own right.

 

Maybe Pete Rail could buy it and live in it, there are precedents here, at Aysgarth mayhap?

 

I asked the question fairly recently and I had a nice reply from the Derwent & Wye Valley Railway Trust. There's a long history, in summary they became somewhat exasperated and couldn't reach a satisfactory agreement with the Council in relation to costs and liabilities. I'm sure that the D&WVR did its best.

The wider issue as usual is the lack of any strategic leadership by PR or any inspirational plan to make the best of what the railway has to offer, coupled with an inability to mount a fundraising campaign for the station (or anything else for that matter!). It would be a modest sum in heritage terms but a massive outlay for PR's woeful finances. The Churnet Valley, Llangollen and K&WVR amongst others show what is possible e.g. a time warp station/museum, a cafe, a holiday rental. Or go modern and high tech internally to inspire the kids e.g. the Ribble Valley's new classroom at Preston. Unless someone with deep pockets appears (e.g. a wealthy railway president!) the building will be lost to PR. A new owner with vision and commercial drive can hopefully bring the building to life.

 

The cost of the building will not be far off what PR has recently spent on legal fees and judgements against them. Such a shame and so different from the society I joined in the 80's.

 

I think so; there's a picture of the one in question in the post.

Noel

 

Was at Crich last Saturday, they said it was quiet but still lots of families using picnic areas and play area, I wonder if they were busier than Peak Rail that lacks such family centred amenities. Also to their credit our pass had expired 2 days earlier but they still let us use it one last time. That's the level of customer service that makes you want to go back.

 

Is Peak Rail there for the participating members rather than the public, if so its their choice and not for others to criticise, fair enough.

 

Peak Rail promotes itself as a great family day out. It's a pleasant enough attraction but apart from the train ride there isn't much else to entertain or educate the kids. There's no focus on improving the railway's facilities or a sense of striving to become the family destination of choice, despite being in a tourist hot spot. That's because we lack the funds to invest in top notch facilities or to pay for some external marketing expertise, and that's because the Directors lack any commercial zest. If we don't get paying bums on seats (and fast) the participating members will outnumber the visitors...

 

If you are concerned about Peak Rails finances you should download the full 2017 accounts from companies house website and read the accountant's report. This part of the accounts were not sent to members and in their opinion Peak Rail is not a going concern. The accountants and Peak Rail parting company a few months later

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

 

So PR chose to shoot the messenger?

 

The resignation of the auditors is certainly not a good sign, also the resignation of the joint MD the same year.