West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I cannot agree with this injunction.

 

Why does there have to be a carrot? I'd hope people would want to belong simply to help the railway.

The cost of full membership is less than one pair of overalls. The discounted membership rate proposed for volunteer members would not even keep me in gloves for a year.
I know I'm perhaps on an extreme of the cost range but volunteering costs me about £35 per day. WSRA membership is far less than 1% of the cost of being a volunteer for me.

Membership of the Association is primarily intended to provide volunteers a voice. This should help to inform the trustees ( member elected) about how to move the Association forward so it best supports the railway. Part of the reason why the WSRA is now leading on volunteer recruitment for the railway and funding the effort.

 

The GWR 813 Fund owns the other Brake Van . Along with some 16 other wagons, most which are used on a regular basis.


Here is what we own:

http://www.gwr813.org/stock.html

 

I see from the Faceache South Devon railway page that locomotive 5542 is now contracted to the South Devon railway for 30 years along with other items of rolling stock.
https://www.facebook.com/1690298014577463/posts/2378221752451749/

 

As far as I can see, the relevant WSRA Minute says this: "We request that the Plc Board should require all new volunteers to become members of the Association, and actively encourage existing volunteers to join." It would appear the intention is that existing volunteers should be treated differently.

 

So would I hope that. But I’m asking from the perspective of change management, when this is seemingly a new requirement of existing volunteers for whom association membership is not currently required. That is a different ask.

I’ve never understood why such membership isn’t a requirement, but then there is much about the WSR I’m not sure people fully comprehend!


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The intended approach is that any degree of compulsion would apply to new volunteers.

However. I am reminded of the US veteran asked why he volunteered for the airborne forces and his answer was to say that in a fight he wanted to know that he had a paratrooper standing alongside him. We need to get to a point where not being a WSRA member will be viewed oddly.

Robin

 

Good luck


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Would passengers care if staff were in a modern uniform, Corporate branding

 

Yes, and what would be the point?

 

An aspect that didn't immediately jump into my mind as a consequence, but could well be.

I wonder if it will help with the pro-/anti- WSRA split sometimes evinced in some quarters? Perhaps different in the long term, versus the short?

Noel

 

We must ‘build’ for the future.

Robin

 

Duchess of Sutherland is off to Bristol tomorrow (Friday) morning:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K13891/2019/08/02/advanced

The loco is due to steam West past the WSRA Rally site at 10.04 on Sunday morning at the head of RTC's Royal Duchy.

A brilliant selection of quality real ale and cider in the Rally Beer Tent this year. No doubt see some of you there over the weekend. Suggest you try both the Great Heck and Treforest Brewery products first. I'm expecting those to sell out first.

An impressive selection of rainbow-coloured ciders also available. Nowt from Beartown Brewery (Congleton) though.

Cheers!

 

Barrie the beer...Er bear... Er...

 

That must be my problem then Mr Hitch , I've gone round the bend and come out the other end . I don't partake quite as much now but in my younger days nothing to beat a very cold , dry , rough cider for refreshment value .

 

What an unusual question. I'm trying to fathom out why you asked it. The WSR and other preserved railways are recreating a particular period in railway history. <BJ>

 

Yes, I believe the passengers would care. I think staff in period traditional uniforms appropriate for the railway are all part of the 'heritage railway experience'.

 

Which one? The experience of being at a station in pre grouping state, with a post grouping locomotive hauling post nationalisation rolling stock is not uncommon - and I won’t even mention livery!

No uniform would be “correct” for that, and every choice will represent a compromise. The best that can be hoped for is that whatever is worn does not jar.

While I would not then suggest a modern uniform to be appropriate, the idea of a line specific uniform, historically informed but not “recreating” a prior period would seem best.


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I have only been involved in a handful of heritage railways but all have required association, or equivlent, membership to be a volunteer. I suspect its the norm rather than the exeption