West Somerset Railway General Discussion

WSRA minutes of June 23rd mentioned the webcams

 

The platform is the largest on any preserved line. If people can pass in the aisles in a supermarket while remaining compliant, a few more on the platform should not be too much of a challenge.

 

There was a comment somewhere by Mark Smith that last Sunday they had 410 visitors.

 

It's probably just referring to the 'Youtube' live-streaming. The 'station' camera is quite a way back from the end of the platforms - perhaps on the signal box. As such, it didn't really show much.

 

I suspect that the potential problem with MD platform is rather like my local supermarket - it is restricted to an overall maximum number of customers, but once inside they tend to 'bunch' in certain areas rather than be evenly distributed (eg you see lots in the meat and booze areas, but very few at the pet food). I doubt many people would spend much time at the DR end of the platform given that most of the 'action' was at the town end. A pity though that (apparently) they did not organise visits to the signal-box.

 

I have wondered for some while about the webcam at Crowcombe not being available due to no internet link. The broadband connection was over the booking office telephone line during my time as a volunteer there, and with the station closed I guess the phone may have been discontinued to save cost. Makes sense.

Sent from my SM-T590 using Tapatalk

 

Looking at their website the South Devon seems to have had some damage to their bridges over the winter which clearly doesnt help reopening

 

The Dart is a very forceful rivers at times, that damage is no surprise.

 

Roger, that is indeed true regarding the Railcam-owned camera at Crowcombe.

 

Was watching an episode of Train Truckers this afternoon after the grand prix, showed Allyns transporting 73096 from the Mid-Hants to the Dorset steam fair, at the steam fair was the WSR plc chairman JJP with his overalls on next to a steam traction engine talking into the camera on how he enjoys the events, he comes across as a very charming person, so much so that my wife liked him, dont know when the episode was made but it was a repeat.

 

73096 was at the Great Dorset Steam Fair in 2018. That was the year there was a scrapyard exhibit, which included a certain Castle class locomotive....

 

Well, well as some of you will know I have been out of the NP loop for some months due to terminal cancer. I am currently on Immunotherapy which seems to have stopped my adrenal glands functioning which is now being treated by Cortisol and I am slowly feeling better. So today I decided to have a read and I am simply saddened by the number of posts which are full of conjecture and exceedingly negative. The title of this forum is West Somerset Railway Operations. It definitely is not continue bashing the WSR or pick holes in the reasons staff give for leaving and worst of all putting opinions up as fact.
I was the Safety Audit Director for the plc from 2015 to 2017. When I resigned I felt relieved but not because I was fed up but it was a hell of a difficult job and I felt 2 years was sufficient for anyone.
Now I am unable to help because my disease has progressed and I do not have the stamina to keep up with the task of running a large heritage railway.
But now is NOT the time to pick holes, kick the Board or disrespect the railway. Like many other large railways this Covid19 is a hellish thing to manage. It is time to back each and every heritage railway and sing their praises. Give the public confidence and the passengers will return. All safety critical staff will need their competences reassessed and every item of stock and infrastructure checked and signed off. So for my part I would like to start the 'Campaign of I'm Backing Railway Heritage' and I have some cash (not a lot as I am a pensioner) waiting to put into this.
For all you oldies 1967/8 was the I'm backing Britain campaign, it ran well for some months before the unions put a stop to it. Lets do it for Heritage Railways and fill up every Heritage Railways coffers, stop denigrating them and get all of them back to work.
Ken Davidge

 

Sorry to hear about your health, Ken; I hope you're as comfortable as you can be.

Your memory of fifty-odd years ago doesn't quite agree with the historical evidence: the campaign largely petered out after a few weeks after being commandeered by big businessmen who wanted to turn it to their advantage whilst ignoring the spirit of the thing. According to Wikipedia, "there was a widespread feeling, even while the campaign was going on, that it was fundamentally risible".

Well said! So why isn't the WSR doing just that?

 

Good to hear from you Ken (Faol) and pleased that you are finding some improvement in how you feel. I had wondered how you were getting on and I am sure many others here also did.

I looked at another railway Forum today, one I have not looked at for some while which, in the past, had little to say - one way or the other - about the WSR. But recently it has had posts about the WSR and few positive or that complimentary. The posters there (maybe some from here) had the same questions and uncertainties for the WSR and its future direction. Whilst it would seem to be a good idea to support the line it seems only those deeply committed to it are prepared to do so. Support is seen by many here and elsewhere as a form off approval to the actions of the last few months.

 

I just want to add my good wishes to Faol and my hope that he stays with us for a while yet; this regardless of my, his, or anyone else's opinions about the rights and wrongs at the WSR.

 

Indeed, and my good wishes as well. It's good to have him back here.

 

To echo others, I am sorry to hear about your ill health and hope that you are as comfortable as possible.

I would say this. Getting behind our railways does not mean do not scrutinise or criticise.

In such a critical situation where the survival of a number of lines is in the air, the decisions being made by senior figures will have profound influence on whether those lines survive or fail. It is therefore imperative that these decisions are the correct ones and that there is an open, critical debate and scrutiny of those decisions.

Critical scrutiny is vital to the survival of the UKs preserved lines.

Saying 'you are either with us uncritically or if you criticise us you against us' is a slippery slope to take, especially in a crisis.

 

A railway enthusiast friend here in Swindon contacted me on Saturday night to tell his daughter and her family had spent the week at Butlins and commented that the WSR was closed!! Did they not know about the open days at Butlins?

As my friend comes to me with so much misinformation about the WSR he has now been referred to this thread!

 

Has the engineering side at the SDR reopened? That would be a potential revenue stream if there is work available