West Somerset Railway General Discussion

At one time he held the record for fastest traversal of the entire Underground, but I think he's given that up now that you need to be a decent runner to have a chance of setting a new record

 

I quoted the incorrect post in my earlier rely. Now updated:
Not really, but some of us were in those areas - and others similar - and had first hand experience of it all. Don't remember hearing any music then.
Don't worry Colin, someone is bound to make it four! Part of this thread

 

Took the 11.00 BL-MD service yesterday, which was packed ! Great run behind 7F and the views of the lovely Somerset countryside were fantastic through crystal clear windows. The newly [?] formed cleaning team have done a great job!

One swallow doesn't makes a summer but...…………………………………….

 

Yes, I posted on 12th August, while waiting for my BL service to leave Minehead, a young member of staff was washing carriage windows.

I had never seen that before, windows being washed between services, but the following day it happened again, this time with two staff members doing a very thorough job.

Another example of the Railway thriving to maintain its standards.

 

Basically a group of railway folks just decided to get it done. It does happen quite a lot that staff and volunteers see a small need and simply figure out how to fill it. I see that as an organisational strength and it's evident in a lot of departments.
It also harks back to something the railways have promoted in the past. Some of you will be familiar with the training films of old, now a part of the BTF collection. In the films about track maintenance there is a clear caption that encourages staff to think of better ways of getting the job done. I love those films and they still offer a lot of learning points on todays heritage railway.

 

Good, so it should be. Maybe those videos, with or without music, have been watched.

 

There was an RAIB(?) report about the Tottenham OLE maintenance gang who IIRC developed ways of getting the job done, but which resulted in the overhead line falling below the minimum height when the catenary tilted. How organisations balance encouraging staff to think of better ways of getting the job done with the need to stick to standards is one of the many things I'm glad someone else has to think about.

Patrick

 

That's one interpretation of that report; my recollection is that there were also issues of short staffing and an approach to standards that was, shall we say, not the most rigorous. As you say, though, it's no bad thing that others have to manage that conundrum - especially on the preservationist's shoestring.

 

Yes; remember we are in England. The WSR, as is, is as good as it gets, and we won't get a second chance if it fails.

 

A very persuasive statement designed to ensure that we all voted for the change in year end at the EGM but I am surprised it has not been followed up with a determined fund raising appeal.

 

That said many local traders have climbed off the back of the success of the railway and it is a fact that accommodation locally would be significantly lower had there not been a West Somerset Railway!

and as I have said before Minehead was singularly disinterested in the early days and all of us travelled there to reopen the line Steve Martin was the only Minehead volunteer at that time - if there were others I did not meet them on my fortnightly visits from Hertfordshire.

 

Heaven forbid - that happened on the Luton to Dunstable line which cost £85m and is of questionable benefit. Up to the age of eight it ran past my back garden.

 

The happened to the Cambridge to St Ives line, someone made a lot of money out of it, the cost quadrupled in price, for a service which is now third rate.

 

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/railrenewal2019

 

As with many seaside towns, which expanded due to the arrival of a railway, it is highly reliant on tourism. Still an Edwardian place it seems, like many others in the south west, tourism has been the main focus to the detriment, quite often, of other forms of employment. This year, apparently, given the good weather and lower value of our currency, has meant that tourist areas have - or should have - benefited. Tourist amenities and locations that have not benefited need to scrutinise why they have not.

 

With suitable vintage buses of course, running under the Crosville name and colours?

 

Yes but how many people Actually Know about it?!

 

Yes just like the Luton Dunstable Unaccountable Mandarins spending money like it were out of fashion - our money

Don't forget Crossrail and HS2!!

 

What about crossrail?
It's a bit late and gone over budget, but what major infrastructure doesn't?

And it's certainly needed...

 

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Items like this appeal & the YT video need to be pinned to stay at the top of landing pages on web sites & social media.
Otherwise, they scroll down & get lost as new news arrives.