West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Indeed, the problem seems to be that whilst baggage is tied up in acronyms, everyone who has ever been an officer also gets tarnished with the same baggage.

Unfortunately, going by personal experience I'm not sure who's less welcome, WSR people with baggage or "outsiders". I've gotten *very* short shrift several times for daring to poke my nose in! As has the much missed (from this forum) @Bean-counter.

 

Well, you’ve nominated Tom; I’ll second that and propose Alex. * It will need young blood. How many more are needed to get the new charity ball rolling?
* That’ll lose me some friends.

 

Do I get a choice?

Tom

 

This all sounds oddly like the Ballad of Sir Patrick Spens. That was to do with a ship which sank.

 

Not really. But tis a noble mission, the Southern bringing the twenty-first century to GWR land. I am sure that the spirits of Bulleid, Drummond and Stroudley will keep an eye on you. John Chester Craven's spirit wasn't answering the call.

 

Not if I'm being dragged into it too you don't, I want someone to share the pain with!

 

I liked 'ross''s post, as it is rather like sending in the Insolvency Administrators, or in Andy Norman's parallel sending in Ofsted or putting a hospital trust under special measures!

JJP has now had 2 years to make the WSR a "premier" line again (as per his HRA presentation). It is all there, pretty much, in that HRA presentation of his.

There is less than 3 months now before the 'Notice to Quit' over Washford would take effect, and for myself personally that 'Notice to Quit' needs to be rescinded post haste as a clear indication of the WSR plc board's bona fides in line with it's last joint press statement with the SDRT.

 

What is needed is guidance on leadership & management from the ghosts of Sir Herbert Walker & Richard Maunsell.

 

Is that another nomination for Tom?

Peter

 

Both of whom served in the Engineer and Staff Corps in the 14-18 War. Sir Herbert Walker as a Lieut. Colonel from 28/2/1912 and Mr. Maunsell as a Major from 6/1/1917. (An earlier member was a certain Dugald Drummond, commissioned as a Major 18/10/1899.)
Pat

 

To which might be added useful contributions from the ghosts of Alfred Weeks Szlumper and Sir John Elliot ...

Tom

 

All these SR personalities, but what about the civil engineering side? Or is that better kept quiet?

Sir John Elliot is a very good suggestion, though - his work is well remembered, despite PR usually being ephemeral.

 

AW Szlumper was the SR civil engineer. (I chose my suggestions with care).

Tom

 

After 50+ years it's payback time for the Western Region's plan to close the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway. <BJ>

 

The first challenge is getting the GWR into the 20th Century.
Pat

 

Not 100% sure but some years ago and investigated by one of the northern major heritage railways I believe that it was a very expensive job -well into five and possibly six figures (involved Acts of Parliament & Transport & Works Acts etc) to change the (operating) company that held the Light Railway Order, which is why it may be that the preferred route is that the plc still has to be involved. Whether or not the legislation names or procedures have now changed I will pass.

 

I would agree entirely. I`m trying to teach undergraduates using various online platforms, and that`s difficult enough. Trying to run an AGM while trying to answer questions from an online audience that may run to hundreds of people is an impossibility. A good Chairman can make a difference and can use the controls available to minimise disruption, but I can see why the AGM format has been chosen. It`s certainly going to attract criticism, but there really are not many options available during these interesting times.

 

Given red route issues, the CME/CCE tensions that manifested at Sevenoaks were in my mind, and Szlumper's name didn't click.

 

Webcam activity today, good to see!!
From FB

 

I do not know whether this would be feasible or desirable, but....might it not be possible for the existing Plc to continue in the future for no other purpose than as the holder of the LRO/TWAO licence? The actual operating would be managed a new operating company, wholly-owned by the new charity, under licence from the 'old' Plc ?