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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by gwr4090, Nov 15, 2007.

  1. paullad1984

    paullad1984 Member

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    Trust receives 12 months notice to quit Washford site.

    Ian Young, S&DRT Chairman, is sending the following letter to members:

    "Dear member, I am sorry to tell you that we have received a Notice to Terminate the agreement at Washford by February 10th 2021. It has been sent by solicitors acting for the West Somerset Railway plc.

    This is very disappointing news for the Trust. The reason cited by the letter from their solicitors is that the WSR wishes to use the site for their own purposes though they have not furnished any further detail.

    We cannot be certain of the outcome of this move but, whatever that might be, it will bring challenges to the Trust. At the same time I would ask you all to be assured that this does indicate the end of the Trust, we will continue with our present activities as usual. I have no doubt that it will cause us to evaluate, as never before, what our strengths, weaknesses and ambitions are. However the Trust has faced difficulties in the past which have been overcome and we must seek the opportunities which will lie ahead.

    We are seeking legal advice, and a response has already been sent to the WSR via their solicitors.

    In the meantime, we will endeavour to keep you informed via the website. Please note that certain information may be reserved for the Members’ area."

    Ian Young,
    Chairman, Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust Ltd.
    Posted on Facebook just now
     
  2. alastair

    alastair Well-Known Member

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    From Somerset County Gazette:





    WSR chairman says plans for Taunton to Minehead rail link "don't stack up"

    By Steven Salter @SSalterGazetteReporter
    [​IMG]
    ROW: Minehead Rail Link Group want a service linking Minehead to Taunton but West Somerset Railway's chairman say the proposals "don't stack up"


    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]
    PLANS to create a community rail service between Minehead and Taunton ‘do not stack up’ according the chairman of West Somerset Railway.

    Jonathan Jones-Pratt, the WSR chairman, reacted after Minehead Rail Link Group sent a letter this week to Somerset County Council calling for a face-to-face meeting about progressing its goals in the wake of the government pledging money to ‘undo the Beeching railway cuts’ of the 1980s.

    In the letter, Minehead Rail Link Group say they envisage a service operated under a revised franchise agreement, ‘using two or three car diesel multiple units’.
    The letter, signed by Minehead Rail Link Group secretary and district councillor Benet Allen, suggests this service could be delivered by extending some of the current Cardiff to Taunton services through to Minehead, ‘providing a roughly two-hourly service’.

    MRLG say the benefits of this include attracting more visitors to the area, a train service that will benefit all residents, a reduction in West Somerset’s carbon contribution, and ‘a stress-free’ way of reaching Butlins.


    MRLG also state in the letter: “The West Somerset Railway is currently in a desperate financial situation and is suffering from declining volunteer and passenger numbers.

    “The community rail service we seek could be the lifeline it needs to secure its very survival.”

    However WSR chairman Jonathan Jones-Pratt is worried the MRLG plans could have the opposite effect and described the proposals as ‘unsustainable’.

    “Where is the report? Where are the numbers that show this would work?” Mr Jones-Pratt said.

    “I haven’t seen a business case that shows this stacks up.

    “We currently operate under the Light Railway Order. To run the service MRLG are proposing, at the speeds they are proposing, would require a huge overhaul of much of our infrastructure to bring it up to the standards required for running a Network Rail service.

    “That alone could cost between £20m and £30m.”
    Mr Jones-Pratt said that in reality that would mean what is now a heritage railway that brings in nearly £8m a year to the local economy, would become a ‘mismatch’, with some mainline services features such as barriers, interspersed with heritage aspects.

    He also said practical aspects of bringing trains from Taunton onto the West Somerset Railway line at Taunton Station would need to be addressed.

    The WSR chairman said the shuttle service trialled last summer was a more sustainable long-term option.

    “We have come through a difficult period and are looking forward positively,” Mr Jones-Pratt said.

    “While I am chairman I am committed to running West Somerset Railway as a heritage railway.”



    Great to see they think the Beeching cuts happened in "the 1980's" ! :eek:
     
  3. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    I think someone, somewhere, nay didn't even post, thought "Hmm, the WSR thread's been quiet of controversy recently"... :(
    Heart goes out to the Trust though, they've been there, what, 40 years? And in that time have provided the WSR with locomotive power and an attractive station and reason to get off at Washford.
    I assume the WSR's finances are still being directed towards permanent way renewal etc.? So one wonders what the site is going to be used for, at what cost, and whether it really needed to happen now. Hopefully the railway can reveal what exciting new plans they've got to make Washford even better fairly soon to head off inevitable criticism.
     
  4. paullad1984

    paullad1984 Member

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    Typical poor research id expect from mainstream journalists.
     
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  5. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    Why?

    I dont see the Washford site as the most 'useable' one on the railway and of course they now have Midsomer Norton as an option
     
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  6. Forestpines

    Forestpines Well-Known Member

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    Correct me if I'm wrong, but the last time I visited the WSR, Washford was the only station outside of BL that had something of interest for the enthusiast that was accessible to look round. I know enthusiasts probably are <10% of the fare revenue, but it still seems like a significant loss.
     
  7. paullad1984

    paullad1984 Member

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    Your guess is as good as mine but one gets the impression that the wsr is not long for this world.
     
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  8. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Conceivably a mid line p/way base. Could be operationally useful if the railway sees a major p/way winter renewal programme stretching a significant number of years into the future. That said, it does remove one of the significant stopping-off places along the railway: I thought the aim had been to market a "string of pearls" to encourage people to get on and off at the intermediate stations? This goes incrementally towards the line being targeted much more a single "out and back' experience, IMHO.

    Tom
     
  9. 2995valliant

    2995valliant New Member

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    Honestly, I despair.

    What does the plc think it will gain that outweighs the loss of the SDRT? Are we back to making it the PW yard and if so, are the funds there to do something meaningful with Dunster?

    One wonders if this is a case of people in charge not being able to see beyond their GWR green tinted glasses perhaps? I hope not, or in my opinion the railway really will be in trouble.

    What of 88's future then? Still, I suppose it's not as if she's ever been a particularly heavily used engine on the line........
     
  10. MattA

    MattA Member

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    S&DRT on FB notes that "53808 is covered by a separate agreement and is not affected by this news item".
     
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  11. WishIHadAName

    WishIHadAName New Member

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    Id imagine id they have lost the Washford site the agreement on 88 wouldn't be renewed whenever its up?
     
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  12. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    Or perhaps to make it a sub shed of 84E? <BJ>
     
  13. ikcdab

    ikcdab Member Friend

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    It does seem a great pity that the SDRT have been given notice to quit. I dont know what the PLC 's thinking is for the site, but please, NOT a PW depot. All we will do is move the mess at Dunster to Washford and make that an eyesore too.
    However, what it would be good for is a heritage coaches restoration and storage site. We hear about the possibility of acquiring a heritage railway shed from Network Rail, perhaps this is the site where it goes. Thinking of which, the SDRT paid for their shed at Washford, what happens to that when they leave?
    And yes, I am the ex-PLC Chairman who signed the 25-year lease with the SDRT in 2018.
    Ian Coleby
     
  14. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Would that not risk spreading resources too thinly? 3 sites for carriage renovation, Minehead, Williton and Washford, doesn't feel like an efficient use of space. I suspect a storage site would end up being just as much of an eyesore as a P'way depot as well.

    Indeed, the mind starts to wonder at the implications if any of terminating a lease this early...
     
  15. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    How do you terminate a 25 year lease?

    Then there may be compensation or betterment payments for the track & buildings
     
  16. Blackdown Boy

    Blackdown Boy New Member

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    D.E.P.G next ?
     
  17. 2995valliant

    2995valliant New Member

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    I think some of the track (the three way switch for example) and many of the fixtures and fittings there are of S&D origin, so presumably the Trust will want to take these with them to their new home?

    As for the ex Peterborough shed, I'm not sure how that fits architecturally or heritage wise, in deepest Somerset.

    I've got a much better idea - rip all the sidings up and make it a park and ride. :D

    As for the DEPG - that thought had crossed my mind as well.
     
  18. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    How does the SDRT get on with the group at Midsomer Norton?

    'Perhaps' combining resources would be of benefit to both (assuming there are no deep historical issues a la WHR/FR WHHR)

    But it does seem a bit high handed from the PLC, it is almost as if they strive to alienate people.

    That said, it has been at least a couple of weeks since the last bout of self inflicted problems, so it was about time for another round of self harm.

    Llangollen: we're looking a bit dysfunctional at the moment.
    WSR: Hold my beer.
     
    Last edited: Feb 21, 2020
  19. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    Then the WSR would need to provide its own Diesel fleet
     
  20. ikcdab

    ikcdab Member Friend

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    umm no. There is no heritage coach restoration at Minehead and there is increasing pressure on space at Williton. There is no covered accommodation for heritage coaches, hence the recent WSRA appeal. Washford could make an ideal heritage coach restoration place.
     
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