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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by gwr4090, Nov 15, 2007.

  1. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    I think there’s a few of us thought that the Mid Hants have done rather well out of it for quite some time.
     
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  2. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

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    Two views from the road bridge today.

    Robin

    B42E3A19-404F-4AD4-9DB2-BCBD7D50CECE.jpeg EC4940F2-1310-43E9-8CA1-5945132ADB93.jpeg
     
  3. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    A tale of two railways:

    One welcomes a collection and explains how it fits with the line (emphasizing commonalities and shared histories) and seeks to make it a core part of the line and the visitor experience, the other calls it a cuckoo in the nest, goes back on agreements and evicts it.

    Quite nice to read a PR release that makes sense, is measured and is nice rather than one that reads like 'drunk texting'.
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2021
  4. baldbazza

    baldbazza New Member

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    Of course it could be borne in mind that the Mid-Hants was itself a subject of considerable internal upheaval many years ago but has now transformed itself into probably a model example of how a heritage railway should be run.

    It shows that things can be turned around.

    Incidentally I don't think that quote was from a press release but rather from the Chairman's report (ironically enough) in the latest Mid-Hants News magazine, which is temporarily available for free download at https://www.watercressline.co.uk/

    Barry
     
  5. Bayard

    Bayard Well-Known Member

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    Well, at least two railway lines are happy now. The WSR have got rid of a group they thought shouldn't be there, (as well as being able to encourager les autres) and the Mid Hants have acquired a group that they are delighted to have. Win-win!
     
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  6. Piggy

    Piggy Member

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    The others may not be encouraged but biding their time ....
     
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  7. granmaree

    granmaree Member

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    A very expensive 'win', for one many thousands of pounds for removal for the other a large loss of faith by a good few supporters
     
  8. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    For some though, the very high price would be the price they were prepared to pay, both financially and in reputation lost to achieve the purity of their line as they saw it, I.e. no Midland interlopers on their bit of GWR heaven.
     
  9. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Said engine has already departed from Wirksworth and is now ensconced at Tyseley for Cylinder work . The imp would love to know the commercial deal with ecclesbourne and whether cash was paid upfront for the forthcoming season .
     
  10. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    Indeed and I think the MHR is a good example that lines can turn themselves around but that it is a long and often painful process and that does give me hope for the future of the WSR. The current WSR situation is an interregnum.
     
  11. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    An interesting development.
     
  12. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    I do get the feeling that the orchestrators of the MHR dysfunction though are no longer involved whereas in Minehead they are
     
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  13. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    Orchestrators, or just perpetrators? Either way, a clear suggestion that a clean slate is required for real progress to be made.
     
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  14. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    It seems to me though that the WSR has a long running 'cultural' problem, the current situation didnt just happen, the financial mess was a long time a coming.

    Perhaps someone with more knowledge might say something about the MHR?
     
  15. D1039

    D1039 Guest

    The Severn Valley has referred to its works "to be carried out before the end of March"[1] and "has just submitted a further application to round 2 of the Culture Recovery Fund" [2], so I think you're right on both counts.

    ([1] 'Winter works are underway' and [2] 'Important role of grants in funding SVR projects', both at https://www.svrlive.com/blfeb21)

    Patrick
     
  16. DcB

    DcB Well-Known Member

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    Heratige railways can provoke strong emotions and personality clashes. One example at MHR lasted 13 years. https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5618254.amp/
     
  17. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    It's probably wise not to stray into discussion on here about another railway and definitely not to discuss a particular individual especially the one named in the link you posted.
     
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  18. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    Although I think there are two important broader points for the WSR. i) it is possible to recover from a very difficult and acrimonious place, ii) but it is difficult and takes a long time.

    So maybe by 2041 the WSR might, if all goes well, be where the MHR is now. Fingers crossed etc
     
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  19. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    One interesting comparison with the MHR is that, from this outsider's view anyway, that period of unpleasantness seems very much a closed door that no one wants to talk about, even if asked out of curiosity in my experience. On the other hand, on the WSR, people seem only too happy to go into the whys and wherefores of anything and everything from 1974 to present!
     
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  20. DcB

    DcB Well-Known Member

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    Agree. But it is in the public domain for lessons to be learnt, if possible, even though it needs a bit of a search to find.
     

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