West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Most kind..... Just couldn't sit by and let something like that go, volunteers are tough to come by, telling unhappy ones to walk away is of absolutely zero help to anyone, working together is key.

Mike

 

Given the couple of years before overhaul and maybe a short extension of time (not unknown), it would be a few years down the line before 88 was able to return to the WSR. By which time there could be some factors to speculate upon. A different PLC Board?, the Trusts wish to return the loco to West Somerset (once bitten, twice shy)?, that possibility 88 might have a better future elsewhere and of course there was an WSR for it to return to!
Reading the F/Book page suggests that apart from those who cannot see the wood for the trees - one assumes some do not post here (warned off?) - a lot more of the support for the line appears to being eroded. The possibility of a return at a date in the future is, I believe, is flannel.

 

But that is just a piece of paper and if legal agreements can be torn up what does it mean Noel?

 

The renewal of the Seaward Way Level Crossing equipment and gates has been planned for some time. The present installation no longer meets regulations for the current level of traffic and pedestrians on that road.

Although the work is to be done by WSR PlC, under a long term agreement, Somerset County Council are paying for it. Let's hope this is one long term agreement that isn't torn up by one side.

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New Dawn?

 

That thought had gone through my mind as well when I first heard (to cruelly paraphrase: "looks like a good day to bury good news".)

However, it was mentioned up thread that it is the S&DRT AGM today, so the PLC probably didn't have much choice - it wouldn't have been right for the S&DRT to hold an AGM but not mention the future of their largest asset, so I guess an announcement had to be made no later than today: it would have emerged at the AGM in any case.

Tom

 

I hope that a certain resident of Dewsbury is pleased to know that he has a loco named after him.

 

We don't know yet. Please note that my posts were loaded with 'if's. It might be a sensible move to raise money for the overhaul; or it might be the end for '808 at the WSR (which I agree would be a bad sign).

The SDRT is certainly willing to speak its mind in public communications (I seem to recall one which mentioned Mordor, which made even me blanch, and I'm an SDRT member), so if they release a neutral one which says 'the PLC would like it back', I don't think we can a priori dismiss it. Yes, words are cheap (really cheap for some entities), and we won't really know for while. I will live in mild hope. If the Notice is now withdrawn, that would be a positive sign - although it would only return the WSR to the ground floor, out of the sub-basement they've dug into.

As has been mentioned, the AGM is happening, and we may hear more from that. I think I can wait that long.

Noel

 

Not at any meeting I have been part of.

Robin

 

Just received notification of the press release regarding 53808 from the plc via email!

So Nat Pres ahead of the game again!

 

The SDRT notified their members via email 4 hours ago. I'm not sure much can be made of that couple of hours.

Noel

 

oh dear!

 

Normal practice in business is for both parties to such an important decision to make their announcements at the same time I suggest!

 

I draw no conclusions from that - in the structure of the WSR family (was the author’s surname Addams?), that discussion was legitimately between plc and SD&DRT, even if it would have been courteous to involve others.


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And good practice too. But these are small volunteer driven organisations, not publicly listed companies.


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Clearly not all trustees are being asked as to what their stance is, perhaps, only those who will follow the PLC line ? the thing is once the 7f leaves the railway, and lets assume the trust gets a friendly accepting welcome at Ropley, and find the management of the MHR to be professional, and open, willing to talk, would they want to go back?

 

It's most unusual to hear Robin sounding so unhappy.

53808 was admired and held in high esteem by members and volunteers of the WSR and the general public . <BJ>

 

I fear, in this case, that some words might turn out to be rather expensive in the long term.

Let's consider what happens now, assuming the railway wishes to return to operating a steam service from both ends (if it ever can). It will need a minimum of two steam engines to operate a two-train service, plus one spare. That's three engines.

With the loss of 53808, we are down to only two operational steam engines. No spare.

So the WSR would probably have to hire one in to make up the difference.

I'm sure I read way back on this thread that 53808 was doing something like 250 steaming days a year. I have no idea what loco hire fees are like but can we assume around £800 per day?

So 250 days x £800 per day = £200,000 per annum in cash that the WSR would have to spend on hiring in somebody else's engine. That's not entirely a fair comparison of course, because the WSR would have had to be building up a cash fund for the overhaul of 53808 (which, as it turns out, it hasn't been doing for what appears to be several years despite the good groundwork laid out by the former CME). But nonetheless, paying for somebody else's loco to operate your service is cash straight out of the business rather than being put back into a fighting fund for future overhaul of your own long-term asset.

So in effect, the (still inexplicable) decision to kick out the SDRT from Washford, combined with the public admission by the PLC that the terms of the hire agreement would not be honoured, followed now by the loss of 53808 probably for a very long time (if not forever) is going to cost the WSR dear.

"Cuckoo in the nest". Those four little words. £200,000 divided by 4. Each word has cost them £50,000 per annum. Not to mention the loss of goodwill which is probably impossible to quantify.

But I'm sure the Brilliant Business Brains of the Board have already considered that. Well done them. They deserve our unwavering support. The only game in town.