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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

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

  1. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    the cheerleaders of the current leadership , therefore need to understand that the many with less of a vested interest are much less likely to support in the hour of need. No amount of pom pom waving will encourage wallets to open . An organisation that sees fit to throw out the captain, most of the crew , a boiler and its support, can rearrange the deckchairs all it likes , no one will support it
     
  2. Steve Edge

    Steve Edge Member

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    Nope, it is not about me, really, it is about what we do and can do for our fine Railway.

    I'm laughing at your suggestion that I become "defiant". As if it would be the first time! I'm for discussion and persuasion. And I would not be so daft as to think the Plc believe my small efforts with a piddly website are vital to their cause. It could disappear tomorrow and nothing would change.

    That's right, I didn't put a link to the petition. I did consider it and decided against. I have explained my reasons to relevant people.

    I've already been in touch with Cllr Rigby, but thanks for the suggestion.

    Although a volunteer of WSSRT for 15 years, I am not a member. And my previous attempt to be a WSRA trustee rather put me off for life.

    I have put the statements by S&DRT on my website (and I am a member of S&DRT) and I have had several e-discussions with S&DRT. I relent a tad to say here that I want S&DRT to stay at Washford (other relevant people already know that!) and I'm keen to see a positive outcome from the discussions.

    Thanks for taking the time to out forward some constructive ideas. Forgive me if I don't progress some or all of them.

    Steve
     
  3. Steve Edge

    Steve Edge Member

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    Thanks for that. Not sure what you mean by my "stance on change". I'm all for it. As for years before, from an organisational point-of-view, I want an end to the Plc's absolute control. Just not sure how to make it happen (as today's posts show)

    Steve
     
  4. RailWest

    RailWest Part of the furniture

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    Although no date has been set yet for resumption of services, I note from the web this afternoon that the L&BR today ran two empty test trains over their line.
    So it does rather look as if the good folk of West Somerset will be able to see and travel by steam again soon, except that they must head into North Devon to do it :)
     
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  5. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    and they can also head east whilst staying within their own county . Indeed a short trip to Avon may also yield steam
     
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  6. Alan Kebby

    Alan Kebby Well-Known Member

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    Other than the WSR, are there any other railways with no plans to reopen in 2020?

    I know some like Bodmin aren’t opening yet, but are aiming for later in the year.
     
  7. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    Sorry for any ambiguity; I specifically refer to your view on the immediate need to deal with the plc as it is, rather than waiting (to use my comparison) until the plc no longer deserves ethical comparison with Sports Direct. I am well aware of your broad views on structure, and the need for change in the longer term.
     
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  8. Maunsell907

    Maunsell907 Member

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    'Sidmouth' I was NOT referring to your post, as I said "all good stuff "

    I was referring to the barrage of anti WSR ( and particularly Plc ) rhetoric from many on this
    site ( sometimes aligned with the 'we don't want the WSR to fail' mantra coupled with yet
    more apparently hostile content )

    Michael Rowe
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2020
  9. D1039

    D1039 Guest

  10. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    The need is for a loyal opposition to the plc leadership, which many see as leading our Railway towards the iceberg.
     
  11. RailWest

    RailWest Part of the furniture

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    Not a word mentioned in polite Somerset society :)
     
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  12. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    Just following the British Airways model I think.
     
  13. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Once I can forgive , twice I'm insulted by especially when my name is in my signature . but just for Clarity I am not named SIMON

    secondly can you confirm that all the items I posted regarding PLC behaviour are accurate and do you support them or not ?
     
  14. Forestpines

    Forestpines Well-Known Member

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    I think you're putting yourself down a bit much there Steve - although the PLC may well believe that mistakenly, of course!
     
  15. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    One small thing might be to use your good offices to ask the current plc board:

    1) What functional roles (locos, rolling stock, infrastructure, operations, commercial etc) is each current board member accountable for?

    2) Given the size and complexity of the WSR, what do the board consider to be the optimal size and composition of the plc board, including functional responsibilities of individual board members?

    3) What steps have been taken in the recent past, and what steps are planned in the future, to move from the current board to that that is considered of optimal size, experience and diversity to run a business of the size and complexity of the WSR?

    Tom
     
  16. Steve Edge

    Steve Edge Member

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    We do need to deal with the Plc as it is. Equally we have to work with the Plc as it is. If a transformation of organisational structure could be done tomorrow, I'd be first in line to cheer. Until then, we cannot allow the Plc to fall. If it falls, then the Railway falls. I have seen many suggestions today, some very good ones, and I hope WSR people (including the Plc itself) can use these ideas to help speed the transformation process.

    Steve
     
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  17. Maunsell907

    Maunsell907 Member

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    I have replaced Simon with 'Sidmouth'. A combination of lax writing on my part coupled with
    Apple predictive text. ( Has got me into trouble before.)

    Your items are correct. ( "accurate" is a difficult concept when applied to a short sentence.
    Even E = 1/2 MC squared appears at the extremes to have its limits ). Your items reflect inter alia:
    some very poorly phrased public WSR Plc announcements. The 'cuckoo in the the nest' was an
    especially unnecessary offering . ( It's up there with some of the postings on this thread ).

    The PW work required between Minehead and Dunster would preclude operating trains between
    those two stations. It does not stop a Bishops Lydeard - Watchet service , as was operated at the
    beginning of the 2019 Season. I understood the message given to us, at the Guards TTI training
    session in March, was that the intention was to do the same this year.

    However, we are where we are. The only hope of a WSR survival is via the current Plc Board (and
    whatever support it can obtain.) The truncated Board, as existed in winter 2018/9, as you
    rightly say managed survival then, let us hope the Board can repeat it.

    Michael Rowe
     
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  18. Steve Edge

    Steve Edge Member

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    Hmmm. Three reasonable questions, Tom. Not sure about "good offices". Of the current board members, I've never met or spoken to three of them. As a minor shareholder I'd rather pester the board with questions about their policy on change, questions I'm hoping to draft this eve.

    Steve
     
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  19. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    I am starting to get the feeling that the board is out of its depth with the current situation
     
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  20. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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    Not misinformation Steve, that's the WSR PLC's forte apparently. However, your profile says Somerset; I thought you had moved.
     

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