West Somerset Railway General Discussion

That's half the potential beer festival clientele, and a fair chunk of CAMRA's volunteers as well.

 

>>>I see the government are looking at isolating the over 70's for up to 4 months...

That means me stuck at home with SWMBO Still, plenty up time to read NatPres every day and put the WSR to rights!

But trying to be realistic for once, who is going to go around all of us 'oldies' stuck at home bringing us fresh milk, bread, vegetables etc for weeks on end ? - the 'Good Life' it won't be :-( Unless Boris imposes martial law, the active ones simply will not stay put....

Oh, and today - believe it or not - they ran the Bath Half Marathon !!! The organisers refused all requests to cancel it, claiming that official advice said that would not be necessary - allegedly being in a vast crowd of some 15,000+ was less risky then going to the pub! I know which I would prefer.....

 

Purely for the sake of keeping the WSR thread in four figure page numbers there is already a general thread on coronavirus here, one more related to heritage railways here and one discussing railways closing due to coronavirus here.

 

Stogumber village is in the throes of setting up a village network of volunteers to ‘service’ those needing to isolate. Volunteers in lower risk categories prepared to shop or collect prescriptions and the like for others. This is a time when community spirit will be important.

JFK: ‘Ask not what your Country can do for you, ask...’

Robin

 

Indeed, there are various 'rumblings' about similar things in our area, tho' nothing seem to be coming to fruition yet. Problem is that most of our neighbourhood will fall into the >70 category, so the place will become like a ghost town and the volunteers will have to come in from outside. Sadly 'community spirit' seems to have faded over the years as so many houses keep changing hands :-(

 

Plus that's also all of our regular volunteer PW gang out too...!!

 

...unless they keep at least 6' apart along the track....broad-gauge sleepers anyone ?

 

I can't find out if it is still in operation but back in the 80's in Horsted Keynes there was a cb radio network, instigated by the then vicar using the unpopular , so cheap, version of cb with a roll call of the 'vulnerable' every morning at 9.30. No answer!! so a neighbour was called by phone to check if all was ok. My father was the 'hub' for many years.
I know this is drift but he also drove the community milk float to take the less mobile to the local shops. They loved the idea of being able to sit on the back, being easily accessable, and the stories he heard!!!!
Community in action.

Chris

 

A statement from the WSR.

https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/news/detail/covid-19-corona-virus-statement

Covid 19 Corona Virus Statement Published: 13th March 2020.

''We understand that there are concerns about the current Covid 19 Corona virus. We are still planning to operate our services at the present time. However we are closely following the medical advice from the Government, and if this changes we will alter our approach to meet the new advice.

We were well prepared and have put into place a detailed and regular cleaning regime for our cafés, buffets and carriages.

We will utilise on line booking and contactless payment to cut down on cash handling.

We will be putting regular updates on our Website, so please check these regularly''.

That seems a reasonable and sensible response from the company. <BJ>

 

All run from Crystal Peak, USA.

(That’s a ‘Terminator’ reference!)

Robin

 

>>>>We ....have put into place a detailed and regular cleaning regime for our cafés, buffets......

I would expect them to have that anyway regardless of any virus epidemic.

 

As of course i'm sure you'll appreciate we have had from your previous visits I hope! But now this extends to far more regular 'sanitary' cleaning of things like coach window handles (As oppose to polishing). Things that may not have been done 'religiously' previously so to speak. Many of us as footplate crew will be wiping down engine handrails and controls far more than usual! I'm sure you can expect that from all departments at the railway the next time you visit. I'm sure I can say we care about ourselves going home, and back to work safe and sound just as much as we do for our passengers. Everyone's health is forefront at the end of the day, whomever they may be.

 

The railway will also lose passengers from that age group who often bring their grandchildren. Other railways are already cancelling galas and events.

Although we're not yet 70 yet getting on that way and have already semi-isolated ourselves. Public transport, pubs, theatres, and cinemas are out. Our weekly shop with top ups is now strictly every two weeks or longer if we can manage.

We wont be visiting the WSR until the crises is over and I'm sure others will so the same. As a shareholder I hope the railway's management are planning for a significant downturn of passengers or even an enforced closure.

 

Oh well...

 

Good points made.

I am 100% confident that the WSR managers will be planning any number of scenarios. I note a further internal update on the virus situation was issued to staff today. So the uncertainty is very much on their mind.

I'm sure the WSR, along with many other heritage railways and other businesses, face a downturn in patronage. As a shareholder who is also unlikely to buy a WSR ticket during the crisis, I am more than happy to just buy an online ticket to help the WSR to keep going. I hope all who find they are unable to take a planned trip on the WSR will consider doing likewise.

Steve

 

I tried doing my 'weekly shop' early this morning when usually it is quiet - not today ! Curiously, despite the larger-than-normal numbers of customers, nobody seem to have much more than normal in their trolleys or baskets. Mind you, trying to keep any sort of 'social distance' in the queues was impossible :-(

Still using public transport - I may well walk to the shop, but I still need the 'bus to help me carry it all home! Pub lunch is still on the menu, tho' I was a little perturbed when - having 'isolated' myself nicely in a corner - about 16 Chinese students then arrived and all crammed into the opposite corner, and not a face-mask between them :-(

I suspect an attendance at the SSG is unlikely under the circumstances, ironic given that I'd made a special effort this year to book accommodation well enough in advance....

 

I heard a comment today from a Checkout operator at a big 24 hour store.
The staff were loading up the shelves about 04.00 in the morning with some customers around.
The customers were then ringing up their mates saying that stock is in come and get it.

 

Thank goodness that you were wearing your face-mask. <BJ>

 

No, I just always look like that .....