West Somerset Railway General Discussion

The WSRHT's newsletter, just issued, contains some statements that do not seem neutral. They are entitled to feel satisfied at seeing off what they regarded as a hostile takeover but, not content with that, the recently retired Chairman refers to "a small group of people with a strong sense of their own infallibility". Form your own opinions as to which people that is aimed at and whether it applies more accurately to them or to some others among the managements of the various WSR bodies.

On the positive side, David Baker, resigning as a Trustee, confirms again that "The Bailey Report gives the Railway a golden opportunity to put the Railway on the right road for the future." We are of course still waiting to see how long that will take and which interpretation of the Report will apply. The confusion remains as to what would be "evolution" and what would be "revolution".

 

I think, as a member of WSRHT of about 6 months' standing, I would expect the current Trustee body not to be neutral on this given events of last year. I hope that the Bailey Report implementation does put the railway on that right road.

 

I found it a tad unnecessary to rake over it all again, but unsurprising. But then, I suppose, holding a grudge for several months is nothing on the WSR, I've had some WSR actions described to me "in the context of" things that occurred in AGMs in the 1970s!!

 

'We want to move forward but let us remind you again how much we hate these other people and how they are to blame for everything.'

Moving on WSR style

 

Yes, but keeping quiet about it would help to move on and going on about achieves nothing positive. Nothing that was said by the outgoing chairman in the newsletter has not already been said and so the whole thing was completely unnecessary.

 

Further, they're well aware they currently have a lot of members who might not otherwise be donating to the WSR. I'm sure I can't be alone among recent WSRHT members in not yet having decided whether to continue my membership. I would certainly very much like to see a vintage train on the WSR. But that newsletter is hardly telling me that the WSR is moving forward from all the difficulties last year to a bright new future that I'd like to be a part of. They'd do well to remember who they're talking to.

 

They are talking to those who supported them. If those who didn't support them were to leave, I suspect they would welcome the departures.

 

It is ironic because PLC supporters often claim that this forum is an echo chamber of anti-wsr views and that they are unable to express their views. And yet, the WSSRT is doing exactly that by demonstrating that dissenters and dissenting views are not welcome. It is the sort of behaviour you'd expect of a religious cult.

 

Or followers of one erstwhile US President!

 

Personally its sad because the erstwhile steam trust needs every person 's support if they are ever going to get any of those coaches done, and it needs for old animosities to be put away for ever, but some, mostly those in charge, on the face of it would rather see them rot beyond salvation, than put old hatreds to one side. they are the custodians of the assets of their membership, not the masters of it, but they seem to have forgotten it, future members won't thank any of them if years down the line long after those in the chairs have long since departed , if their actions make decisions for those who have to follow them harder. imagine the feeling if in years time a new board has to consider scrapping the coaches because they are now past restoration that might well be the legacy of those in charge today.

 

I joined up to achieve change for the better, but after the Chairman's valedictory speech, and a similar tone in their latest newsletter, I am not encouraged to stay.

 

What I wonder is the reason for the strange norms of behaviour that seem to be the rule in West Somerset?

 

Too much cider, too little steam...

 

QFT.

Noel

 

I very much get the impression that those in charge of the WSRHT aren't really bothered about the heritage coaches because it was not their decision to acquire them and hence not their fault if they are unable to restore them. If this attitude sounds familiar, it is because it is the attitude displayed by every incoming government since political parties were invented. Nothing in the newsletter dispelled my impression.

 

It seems like normal service has been resumed.

 

Yes I agree!
Y...A...W...N Ho Hum. The same set of regulars with the same negativity.
Meanwhile in the real world life/Track relaying goes on at Doniford.

 

https://www.wsra.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Final-Bailey-Survey-Report.pdf

An interesting read, well done to the WSRA for carrying out the survey and making the results public

The last sentence is particularly interesting

There is disquiet expressed about some personalities in all 3 of the key WSR organisations (but not the DEPG).

 

Yes, when will people learn that if you don't mention a problem, it goes away?