West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Looking at it from the outside, it seems to me that on any other railway (OK, most) if you dont like how its run, its possible - as happened to the ex6 to change things, and of course the fact that things can be changed probably helps to keep those in power on the straight and narrow.

Clearly on the WSR, it is much harder if not impossible to hold the PLC to account which in turn must create a level of frustration

 

I will let you decide if you think BA was a well run company. At different times it has made shed loads of money, as well as mega losses like most airlines.

 

Thank you Martin for the above. I am sorry to have caused so much problems for you and others to deal with as Moderators.

Quite a few of us have a grasp of what is going on, with inside information, and I apologise for tripping over forum rules on occasions. But it is very frustrating when so much has to be kept off Nat Pres, when so much more is known.

Apologies if this is cryptic, as it must remain, to remain within forum rules.

A degree of candour and honesty on the part of the WSR PLC board is required currently; and a swift conclusion of the Washford 'Notice to Quit' as time is rapidly running out on the legal clock - 6 months have already expired of the 12 month limit to the 'Notice to Quit'.

If I were to suggest the WSR PLC board were dragging their heels and letting the clock run, and my having a copy of the full Bailey Report and much else besides, then you can all draw your own conclusions.

 

So to some of us on the outside, looking in and trying to piece together the cryptic bits of the jigsaw, it seems increasingly that this is the one person who really understands what is going on:

 

Whilst everybody is entitled to express an opinion, my preference is that Moderators should moderate, rather than throw petrol on a fire at every opportunity.

 

But is that too much for just one man, however capable, who does not live anywhere near the WSR?

 

The only fire that I can see is at the WSR .....and that is already out of control. At some point in the future my hope is that a phoenix will rise out of the ashes. <BJ>

 

An example the WSR must follow

https://www.gwsr.com/supporting_the_railway/management_and_documentation/the_management_team.html

 

Why Not Barrie?!!

 

There is so much to be impressed with on the GWSR especially the way in which they deal with one crisis after another!

and don't forget they started with NOTHING!

Perhaps the WSR needs to find out how they achieve so much with so little

 

But the question must be asked how hard did the plc work to retain their services?

 

It would be great to know if the board planned to do a phased reopening starting with the end that is nearest to the punters and furthest away from the work required?

 

Just because you are on furlough does not prevent you from writing a briefing or does it?

 

Yes it does - the restrictions on what an employee can do are very broad. However, furlough rules do not prevent an employer bringing someone back onto payroll for handover activities.

 

1) I decided to become anonymous a couple of years ago, having first consulted with and taken advice from a forum Moderator (not you, I might add) in a private conversation.

2) Plenty of criticism seen, but not much that I’d call measured.

3) Yes. The Chairman and his Board have my support.

 

Technically yes - if you are furloughed, it is because your employer has in essence told the Government that there is no work for that person to do for the period they are furloughed. Ergo, you can't then do any work for your employer, and writing a handover document would very definitely count as work.

The difficulty I see for the WSR is really a "and then what?" sort of question. The furlough scheme will end (the gradual winding down is already signalled). There will also inevitably be costs of re-opening, whether that is done now or ready for Christmas or ready for next Easter. So take the track work issue - at some point that is going to have to be repaired, and someone competent is going to have to sign off that repair. That is cost that has to be borne at some point; I can't see it becomes any easier to bear that cost the longer the company goes without any income at all. In other words, the company is either going to have to replace those who left, or find some other mechanism to carry out and sign off the work. That applies across a whole host of areas. The visible things many railways are doing to reopen (signage, screens, handwashing stations etc) I suspect is ultimately a rather small part of the costs of reopening, all of which are going to have to be faced sooner or later.

Tom