West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I really do think this is a myth invented on NatPres. I've seen little evidence for it beyond coincidence. Which is not to say that I'm not appalled at the 7F leaving and all the rest, merely that I really don't think lack of GWR pedigree had much if anything to do with it.

 

Take a bow chaps, What a cracker of a machine.

 

I really hope that won't be the fate of Minehead Station!

 

A parking lot? more than likily, if it was ever redeveloped , It would likily be luxury flats ,And apartments with a sea view
That alone would likily pay for buying the freehold, and building a new Minehead station just after Seaward Crossing, next to Butlinz , relocating all engineering to the WSRA Swindon shed. and building carriage sheds at NF

 

Second homes? Holiday lets? Used for two or three weeks a year probably.

Nice little earner for a property developer though.

 

I think there is room for a two track station at Minehead east of Seaward Crossing. Other facilities moved to Washford and the station area sold off. That would solve the money problem for the WSR.

 

This is why criticism on NatPres is so easily dismissed by current management.

 

Especially if that property developer was able to cloak it in the package of saving the railway by selling the station site, to finance buying the railway, to protect it from going bust in the future

 

I have a recollection that such an idea was seriously considered by Somerset County Council prior to the last lease being issued, so not as far fetched as you might think.

 

I wonder though Alex, given the choice of losing the line, how many members would actually say, its the only option, if that was the only viable plan on the table, ? its one possibility that at some time in the future the railway/ SCC may have to consider but only if the railway company were able to buy the freehold, and own the land, with agreement to re develop Minehead station site.

 

It's not, and I don't really see how it ever could be. I'm aware it has been discussed before. None of that changes my view that wild speculation like this does nothing to lend credence to any of the more sensible things that have been said on this thread.

 

I think you will find that most criticism and not only by the PLC, is dismissed automatically.

 

Thank you, Andy, for your posts and pics.

 

It's dismissed automatically by the board. Other onlookers who may not have made their minds up either way on the other hand might not. They may not know about the ins and outs of the various legal agreements that look as if they have been broken, and come on here to find otu what all the fuss is about (as directed by PLC refutement statements!) But if in the same place where that is being raised discussion also turns to such unlikely scenarios new visitors will simply think the whole lot is a load of rubbish, and thus they believe the board. Not only that, they'll probably believe the board next time without even bothering to look here for the other side, as they "know" that this place is always wrong.

 

Minehead Station is a grade 2 listed building. This limits what can be done with it.
Ian Coleby

 

Good question, I think that there are those who would prefer a more GWR centric loco fleet, or a Prairie/Pannier focused fleet, as it was in BR days. Its worth pointing out that the Swanage & Mid Hants have very 'Southern Region' centered fleets while the South Devon is all GWR.

Might it have been different if the S&DRT was a GWR based organisation instead, with a useful GWR loco, well, I think that it might have swayed the decision in their favour

 

This is all speculation though, I don’t particularly like the current PLC board and I’ve no intentions of supporting them whilst they’re in charge, but Martin please stop putting 2 and 2 together and trying to make 5 it really doesn’t do the rest of us any favours.
There are so many things that have been cocked up at the WSR lately, let’s not go down a road of ifs, buts and maybes.

 

Lack of imagination Ian - I believe the traditional solution to this is for such buildings to mysteriously "go on fire"....not that such a thing would ever happen in Somerset

 

I was thinking the same. Around our way we lost another grade 2 listed building in a mysterious fire only 3 days ago.

 

Not quite a class 33 diesel is used from time to time.