West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Now ask us to donate to the WSR.

The Mid-Hants have just hit the jackpot. <BJ>

 

9466 is off to Ecclesbourne Valley this year and next, it's too heavy for WSR use at the mo.

 

Indeed, though anyone who thinks the 7F might be overhauled at Ropley hasn't seen the queue. That said, it wouldn't be my last choice as a loco to stay on the MHR...

 

I would advise all loco owners to stay well clear of the WSR and the WSR to shed its chairman immediately.....

 

That makes sense. Loco strategic plan? I’d be interested to know if the WSR has one of those!

 

Dont't be daft, they're on a nil engine policy.

DJB.

 

Regarding the MHR's use of Thomas - it makes sense for lighter trains, and consider that 41312 is currently their only other operational tank engine. I can't speak for the weekends, but when I visited on Thursday they had a 4-coach rake in action, which I guess is probably within Thomas' capabilities.

 

Also Thomas events have been cancelled this year, so they might as well get some use out of no.1 I suppose.

 

I have been a WSR supporter since 1979 and actively volunteered in my younger days. Like many on here I have seen for fortunes of the railway wax and wane over the years.
I have hung on in the past 3 to 4 years Hoping that the railway I admire the most will pull itself together and sort it’s issues out. It does not seem that this can happen. The news of 53808 leaving - the press release does not give certainty it will return - is another nail in the coffin. I cannot bring myself to support any area of the railway financially as it does not deserve it given the current situation. The current PLC board, yes, perhaps they smoothed the cash flow with trimming of costs last year, but their overall performance in the “bigger picture” has been awful and long term motives questionable. We are now down to two working locos? Where next, hire in Victor or Vulcan?

 

Don't think Lakeside would be keen on letting Victor go, seems to be rather useful to them.

 

Assuming the plan is to reopen at some point , Straight away there is a looming motive power problem, and given the PLC's track record, would any loco owning group want to loan their engine to the WSR?

 

I understand it was mechanically overhauled not that long ago, its mostly boiler work, this time round, please correct me if I'm wrong , depending on what is found at the time and the possible deal that could be done, depending on the work load, if its a simple enough job, and the firebox doesn't need much plate renewal , tube plates etc, it might jump the queue , assuming the group can come to a deal .

 

I wonder if this might mark the turn of the tide?

 

The WSR have survived on a series of short term loco hires for many years. Looks like that will now have to continue on a bigger scale. Trouble is this could get very expensive.

The other option is a (temporary?) shortening of the running line, let’s say Minehead to Blue Anchor. That could conceivably be run with the minimal locos remaining at the WSR.

What’s needed is an announcement from the PLC, stating their intentions for reopening and future loco policy. I think we’ll be waiting a long time for that though.

 

Crisis what crisis.

 

While I’m tempted to agree, I was impressed by the measured tone of the S&DRT comments in the press release, and have every confidence in them to work in good faith with the WSR plc as suggested in the release.

However, it does feel like one more nail in the coffin for the WSR as we currently know it.


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Don't forget that there will be cost to NR for using it, so any connections needs to at least break even in that respect

 

The plc have just given away their negotiating card, but in the better interest of the Trust and their Engine!

 

I take it that it was discussed beforehand with the WSRA Robin?