S&D Railway Trust

He only changed Cardiff back to blue when their attendances slumped and guess what, they changed and their attendance didn't improve! They all bought the merch and tickets which is something I can not respect.

 

Not saying to use the land at Washford as a replacement for Sherrings Yard. Land and siding space is a premium on most heritage railways. They clearly think Washford yard would be of benefit to the WSR. They've already said that it is closer to the half way point of the line, something which Norton isn't.

 

The fact people are meant to be social distancing. Attracting a potentially large crowd is not a good thing.
How on earth would a gala work anyway? Would visitors need to book on every single trip they want to do, between the stations through the day. Or would it be passengers have to stay on the train for specific periods? Can't see that being attractive to a lot of enthusiasts.

 

Maybe time to call it a day?

 

That should be for them to decide, not for some external force by way of an amoral eviction.

 

That I can follow, but the inference in the post was that he wouldn't go to an event that he had to pre book to attend.

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However, we are not talking about siding space, here, as there will be no track left at Washford after the departure of the S&DRT. Not only is Washford yard going to cost a considerable sum to re-equip with sidings, but the departure of the S&DRT represents a loss of income that is in effect a "rent" that the company must pay to use it, as there is no difference between income forgone and expenditure.

 

If the measures that have to be adopted doesnt appeal, dont go. If the measures are in place to maintain distancing though, what's the problem? Or are you arguing that all railways that have decided to open now are being irresponsible?

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I don't think railways should be trying to run before they can walk. I think running is fine with measures in place, but a gala event seems a bit much to me.

 

See my comment about using track that is now being replaced to lay the sidings etc. Maybe they don't want sidings there. I dunno I'm not involved with the WSR. They said that they earn peanuts from the SDRT so won't miss the rent.

 

Perhaps one for the individual managements to work out then?

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Which only seems to prove that decisions based on personal ideology rather than what is best for a club, or in this instance railway, can wreak untold damage which can take some while before it fades away and confidence is restored.

 

My point is not about majority attending or not attending a gala, it is about the gala taking place or not. When an event has pre-booking, the number and location of passengers can be managed. At a steam gala, on the other hand, allocated seating is nigh on impossible, and there tend to be significant crowds of people on and off the train - I don't think it will be possible to stage an event where the numbers are not managed.

Yesterday I was in a public park to witness the Devonian go past, and there was little effort made in the crowd of about 2 dozen people to socially distance or wear masks when they weren't social distancing. If 2 dozen people in an open space can't manage social distancing/mask wearing then what hope do we have at Alton station on a gala day?!

On the other hand, I think that, as long as the finances make sense, things like the Train of Lights etc. can take place, as it's all pre-booked with allocated seating, enabling social distancing.

 

Was the park a public open space or was it being stewarded in some way?

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Public open space. Bringing up stewarding is a fair point, but how would you steward a steam gala which needs hundreds of visitors to break even?

 

With the deepest, and sincerest regret I am actually hoping this is the case. The soap opera style drama the WSR has been in the eye of is not only damaging to the WSR but to the whole heritage railway movement. NO railway is to big to fail, what bigger fail would be the WSR putting up the closure sign.

There is no way I would donate money to any of the WSR 'family' aside from the SDRT as I fear the money will be used to fund the next eviction of any group who don't fit in.

If the railway goes bust, then the world doesn't stop West Somerset will continue to attract visitors as it is now without the railway.

 

Presumably by gala, you mean an event with visiting locos. If the "gala" can be arranged using the locos on site that might not be so expensive?

 

No. It would be a catastrophic failure of the preservation movement of the WSR were to go under.

 

With respect, I don’t think it would be a failure, catastrophic or not “of” the movement if the WSR were to go under; nor do I think it would be a catastrophe for preservation if it were to. It would undoubtedly, however, be a catastrophe for all who invest blood, sweat and tears in the WSR.

I would never wish it, but the financial collapse of a major railway might be a salutary example to others.


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You have missed - or ignored - my previous comment about the lack of points. With no points other than the entry one off the running line there is a finite limit to the possible length of a siding at WD. There are unlikely to be any 'spare' points just lying about on the WSR ready for re-use [#] , so they would have to acquire them from elsewhere. That will cost money - something which the Plc claims to lack at the moment. This is not a situation where you would want to lay several sidings and slew track across as/when a connection was required.

[#] Unless, of course, when the PW left DR to go to WD they took the points from DR with them. But in that case, how would they then turn DR into the sort of 'living museum country station' that they talk about if they can no longer do any shunting there?

Incidentally, what's the betting that - in the event of the Plc getting their hands on WD yard - they will (or will not) let the WSSRT move all the stock at Dunster West to WD where it would be protected from the briney winds and easier to access and work on?