S&D Railway Trust

Your image is much more apt than you think, with the WSRA being in the position of a passenger complaining to the captain of the Titanic about his course and speed. At least said passenger wouldn't have been thrown overboard, but the effect on the direction of the ship would be the same, zero.

 

the thing to remember is this, your dealing with a bully, who has so far, got his own way and won't change course, unless forced to, that passenger has to literally take the wheel out of his hands, but they won't, and of course, when they do act, it will be too late, the family of Organisations that were the WSR, will have completely fallen out, and not be talking, and if they do, it will be by solicitors letter, there will be an sence of betrayal towards the trustees, and each other of the groups, and that will I think be the end of any volunteers bodies on the WSR .

 

Getting back to something connected with the thread title, who owns the set of points leading into Washford Yard or perhaps, who paid for them?

Ed

 

The public authority I worked for was not responsible for refuse collection - though it did have ongoing problems with headteachers who thought that they were responsible to no-one but themselves.

 

Maybe you just don’t understand how things work.

 

Julian, are you officially speaking or acting for the SDRT or is this just your understanding/opinion?

If the former, is the below a comment on behalf of the SDRT?

Patrick

 

53808

Since the start of January (2020) 53808 has been receiving some routine maintenance/repairs to ready it for the coming season. This work is mostly complete, and would have been complete by now had it not been delayed by the current world wide hiatus.

Principle work undertaken so far:-

• Routine annual inspection of various locomotive and tender component wear rates, such as tyres etc.
• Piston examination and cylinder de-coke of carbon build up.
• Piston rings removed, inspected and passed fit for further service.
• Valve liners rebored and steam passage de-coke of carbon build up.
• Production of 4 new valve heads to suit rebored liners.
• Refurbishment of valve spindle gland assemblies.
• Replacement of a number firebox lap seam rivets with patch screws.
• Replacement of injector feed clack valves.
• Stripping of cylinder lubrication pipework for cleaning/inspection.
• Stripping of snifting valves for cleaning/inspection.

Work started but not yet completed due to closure of workshops: -

• Replacement of piston tail rod guide bushes.
• Replacement of valve spindle tail rod guide bushes.
• Production of rings for the new valve heads.
• Replacement of springs and balls in cylinder lubrication system delivery check valves.
• Followed by reassembly of the refurbished components.

The list may not be complete as I have not been involved with all that has gone on. Once work starts again a further 3 weeks should see the locomotive getting ready for post repair testing.

Stay safe and good luck everyone.

Andy.

 

Rather a cheap shot from you don't you think, you are continuing to demonstrate the current WSR Management and its supporters are only capable of trying to undermine people rather than actually trying to justify breaking agreements which they entered into with HPC & local schools. Just by way of update seeing you have brought it back up again:

1. The PLC have still not replied to the Headteacher, the WSRA have but it didn't answer any questions or address any issues.
2. The schools Governors are concerned their Headteacher has had a number of personal attacks on her in bringing this up. Additionally they have given the Headteacher their full support in this issue.
3. The personal attacks on the Headteacher have been escalated to SCC as the employer, they are responsible for her wellbeing and as a good employer they take bullying very seriously. Additionally SCC fully support the Headteacher in this issue.
4. The kids have still not had their trips on the train, there is no indication they ever will and the money paid for these trips is still "missing in action".
5. Headteachers are responsible for holding people accountable for contracts they enter into, if they didn't they wouldn't be doing their job correctly. Welcome to 2020.

Regarding point 3, a personal note, the WSR Management have and will continue to be able to bully its own people and remove ID Cards to teach people like me a lesson when we say things they don't like, because the shareholders, WSRA & WSSRT are not taking their responsibilities seriously and are just sitting on their hands saying nothing, and there is nobody else to stop them. However bullying SCC employees may well have other consequences.

Your ignorant and misinformed attacks on the Headteacher are a pointless exercise as Mrs Norman sees bullying for what it is, I would suggest you keep your comments to debating the rights and wrongs of the issue.

 

Why am I more inclined to believe you than certain other posters?

 

Andy,

Many thanks for that detailed reply/report on S&D loco'88' owned by the SDRT. Much appreciated, and reassuring.

Cheers,

Julian

 

Good to know that the Somerset CC and the Governors support Mrs. Norman. I am sure the SCC and of course Mrs, Norman and her Governors will deal with this kind of attack as they feel free to do so. After all they are local people who are concerned with and about their area and how things are being dealt with - or should be in this case, it seems.
Unlike many on NP who live outside the 'magic' 200 miles.

 

And have you noticed how as soon as anyone asks awkward questions, that might come a bit to close to comfort along comes someone to divert or change the subject, strange that? its as if people are trying to hide that there is a problem, burying your head in the sand is I understand not a very good defence measure because even if you can't see it, the problem, or predator is still out there waiting and its locked on you.

 

Disagreement among the WSRA Trustees would indeed provide an explanation for the resounding silence, but demands its own explanation. Is it simply that those WSRA Trustees are also volunteers in danger of losing their ID cards if they are seen to disagree with the PLC Chairman?

 

How the heck do you "thrash" a 7f at 25mph, on a gently undulating route with 220tons on the back? Its not trying to run even time Bath-Templecombe with the Pines Express, is it. I think you might have meant "teased"

 

Exactly, and I have stated as much many times in the last month or so!

This is one of the ways the WSR PLC board exert power!

Unfortunately, this does little to assist the attempted eviction of the SDRT and the 'Notice to Quit' over Washford.

The recent published Minutes/synopsis of WSRA board meetings does suggest some discord with the WSR PLC, though again nothing that assists the SDRT, and no comment at all on the WSSRT supporting the WSR PLC board over it's position with regard to Washford and the SDRT ['PI'].

Ross, I saw S&D '88' haul the mainline special brought in by 'Duchess of Sutherland' last Summer. It could have been double headed on the WSR, but it was not. I think that 'thrashed' was a fair description IMHO, but I am open to other's views on all this.

Cheers,

Julian

 

https://www.national-preservation.com/media/7f-devonshire.728/
Climbing out of Devonshire Tunnel up 1 in 49- everyday work

What an 8P can do at 60, I'd reckon a 7f could manage at 25....

 

I would say that she was in her element, doing the sort of work for which she was designed. Everyone has a GPS these days so any enthusiastic driving is quickly spotted and possibly reported. "88" is very much a pet engine held in high regard by the volunteers which is where the Dear Leader is rather playing with fire IMHO. He has told the S&D that the plc are unable to fulfil their side of the contract which presents them with a choice. A) wait until she is out of ticket and has no prospect of a 10 year overhaul, or, B) move to another line where she can continue on a similar deal which will be honoured.

The volunteers have worked this out for themselves. The outcome will be either "88" leaves and the Dear Leader comes to the rescue such that his engine has a revenue stream or there is a protracted and expensive legal battle where the S&D are awarded damages for breach of contract. Neither option is in the best interest of the WSR.

 

See my video of 53808 hauling the West Somerset Steam Express on 17th August last year. Certainly not thrashed at the times I filmed her.

 

So 88 isn't being thrashed and it is all well within her capabilities. Sounds like you have quite an asset there then! I'd want to keep her around!

 

I think the list of items being attended to as listed by Mr Aberdare clearly shows she is being well looked after.