West Somerset Railway General Discussion

A brake, buffet and accessible TSO are all in maroon!

 

And another maroon TSO is planned soon. We can hope!

I hesitate before raising this but, is the QB maroon the same as the service coach maroon? QB looks a bit lighter (Crimson Lake?) to me. Don't think I've ever started a livery debate before.......

 

I must ait I did think that too, but hoped it was the light and thought better of mentioning it!

 

Well yes, but the booking amount has to be reconciled and a suitable table has to be allocated to every booking, regardless of whether an optional add-on is selected. Besides, now online booking is the norm that probably could/should all be done systematically within the computer programming. I'd offer to write the program myself but apparently COBOL is no longer all the rage.

 

Then again, ask the proper railways how they do it. NYMR, SVR, ELR all have dining operations that bring in well into 7 figures, all bookings online, and you don't see any threads on here about them, let alone whether the train is a uniform colour.
Times have changed, boys.

 

Having experienced most of the others, and many main line charter catering offers, I did mention this fact now and again. It's a pay grade thing.

 

Hi Mike, the carriage lettering debate is of course mere detail compared to the excellent results achieved with the QB's WSRA-sponsored external refurbishment. Thanks for trying to activate the suggestion though. I'm glad to note all of the running numbers are now correctly positioned, none placed on a door this time!

My understanding is that the yellow band designating First Class seating (and red for catering vehicles) appeared initially on Southern Region boat train stock in 1960. The usefulness of this idea was noted and adopted by all Regions in 1962. Band application was apparently quite rapid judging by the number of examples appearing in 1963-dated photographs. The Parkin Mk1 supplement details minutes of the Carriage Standards Committee:

minute no. 3014, dated 1/8/62, references a couple of Traffic Conference minutes and states "When coaches pass through shops a yellow band is to be painted on all 1st class coaches and 1st class sections of composite coaches".

minute no. 3056, dated 26/9/62, details an official drawing being issued, showing "first class markings".

Of course, when an official instruction was issued and when it was implemented varies considerably, especially in matters of livery. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that WR might have resisted the change for a while. As an aside, I recall Southdown buses sporting National Bus Company leaf green being quite rare beasts for the first couple of corporate NBC years.

 

Absolutely enjoying WSR TV. Well done

 

Thank you.

 

Are you suggesting that the WSR isn't a proper railway, but the NYMR, SVR & ELR are?

 

Perhaps shouldn't have put it like that, and whilst no doubt all railways have differences/fallouts/arguments, there's a big difference between how most go about it in washing the dirty linen in public without involving, as the WSR seems to do, the entire laundrette.
However, times are indeed hard for all.

 

These videos are doing more good for our railway than all the wingeing armchair enthusiasts and keyboard warriors can ever do. After over 40 years with the railway in one way or another, I never thought I would enjoy these like I do. Keep them coming please and well done Diane and Robin.

 

Thank you (on behalf of the contributors, really). Lots of good stuff on the way. Do keep watching.

And if YOU have a WSR story to tell...

Robin

 

Unprintable.

 

Seven figures? I really doubt that these are multi million £ operations (I know for a fact that one certainly isn't) so what exactly are you saying?

PS the WSR is most certainly a "proper railway" and in most respects compares favourably with the others you mention.

 

In 2018 the NYMR's turnover on catering (which includes buffets, as well as dining) was £1,483K, of which £753K was operating profit.

 

Repeat seven figures, all of them. So which one certainly isn't?
In most respects certainly WSR compares, but exceeds them all put together with the dirty washing and the defenders of the indefensible.

 

Isn't the ELR Diner train a contract operation?

 

[Above extracted from post in "Washford Eviction" thread]

The comment about loss of WSR volunteers is clearly "rumour and heresay", but does not appear to have been refuted by anyone with inside knowledge. If the statement is true - or if it later becomes true - then it must raise a further question over the WSR's ability to resume full-scale operation. Fewer volunteers could be balanced by increased numbers of paid staff, but only if more money is available.

Perhaps fewer volunteers could support operations on a reduced scale. That might mean a big reduction in operating days, or maintaining and operating a shorter line only. But it is difficult to define a viable option for "shorter line". Essential engineering facilities are mainly based at Minehead and Williton. Whereas most of the customers come from the east, starting their journey at Bishops Lydeard and travel through to Minehead. There would likely be a big drop in business if customers first have to drive a further 10 miles to Williton before catching their WSR train. And when they reach Williton, where would they park?

Very sad to be even thinking about reduced scale operation, recalling that the WSR was considering, only a couple of years ago, ambitious expansion plans for its "Southern Gateway".

 

BL to Watchet is pretty viable - buses on to MD for some. Not perfect, but better than nothing.