West Somerset Railway General Discussion

>>> "A heritage railway in Somerset will run out of money and be forced to close unless urgent fundraising takes place...."

A rather meaningless statement IMHO. Unless you raise funds, then of course you will run out of money sometime, that's business. The key issues are (a) how much funding is necessary and (b) how quickly?

 

Exactly, but there is a niche below that that I will support as well though - the sort of small set-up that says 'it's grim, we haven't got much money, we are in survival mode' but where you don't think that's mismanagement.

In my own case that doesn't apply to any of the railways I support but I could see myself being sympathetic if it came up. As it is:

L&B - carriage reconstruction, new build engines, Parracombe, Chelfham etc
SVR - new engine shed, innovative approaches to itineraries, making the best of it (or at least trying to)
N&L - doors for the engine shed, progress at Boughton, arrival of the Mk3s etc

I can understand progress being limited but none of those three have stood still (and they are wildly different set ups from each other)

 

And (c) Why is the funding required? Most appeals by railways have a purpose, to overhaul a loco, to repair a bridge, to extend her line, to survive the covid lockdown etc etc. The WSR’s appeal is very vague, we need £1M or we’ll close. I think most donors require more detail than that before handing over their cash.

 

More to the point do we have confidence in the management of the line?

 

Not as far as I can see

 

The WSR may be one of the more extreme examples but in terms of its business model its shares a challenge that the pandemic has forced other heritage railways to confront. It's highly unlikely, even with volunteer labour, that operating surpluses from running trains and commercial trading can generate the money needed to run a heritage railway sustainably. That shortfall tends to be exacerbated by the length of the line ( a combination of being unable to charge realistic distance related fares and the fact that there's a lot more expensive infrastructure to maintain).
Closing the gap between annual surpluses and the cost of keeping the railway operational depends on discretionary income in the form of grants, donations, bequests etc. On top of that there is, hopefully, investment in developments such as those highlighted on here as being worthy of support. However some discretionary financial support is needed just to keep a railway viable. If donations are only made for development projects there is a risk that a railway will consistently under invest in the less glamorous work essential for its survival. In terms of whether donations could end up potentially benefiting creditors it makes no difference what they are given for. They would all end up in the same pot.
Of course donors want to make sure their donation is well used but that could include covering running costs to help ensure the future is not in the creditors' hands

 

Whilst other lines may also rely on donations to remain sustainable, I can’t think of any other line that has appealed for £1M just to keep running for one more year.

 

on the other hand, it's the railway's job not to underinvest in the less glamorous work

WSR - 'can we have a million pounds please?'
SVR - 'if we don't sort out Falling Sands, then we're not running to Kidderminster anymore - who wants to donate?'

(for clarity, the SVR is far from perfect, so not saying they are)

 

I would add the IOWSR to your list in a “normal” operating season it breaks even on ticket sales alone, profits from the shop and catering provide funds for capital projects. It still has fund raising for specific projects to help provide the icing on the cake.
About a month ago it had its most profitable week ever, which proves that even in these trying times it can still be done.

 

I think you’re confusing ‘number of posts’ with ‘number of posters’.

A small number of individuals making the same repetitive comments day in day out cannot be described as representative.

 

Regarding the need for fundraising, every heritage railway has have incurred fixed costs during the pandemic, yet their incomes have been much reduced.

This is not related to their business models, which wouldn't have been designed with COVID in mind.

Many railways will still be suffering financially, even if they *have* managed to win COVID grants, and had to make tough commercial decisions - many of which may not be obvious from armchairs.

 

Mr Lineisclear sir,

Your report quite rightly pointed out that the current structure was a barrier to funding. The plc then stated that to implement change, it would cost a "6 figure sum". Do you have a view on the accuracy of that claim ? Would you agree that having chosen to do nothing will be a major factor, should the business fail ?

 

What I can't understand is why, if the business is as close to failure as many on here would suggest, have the Great Western Society just moved 1466 to Williton for the completion of its restoration? Presumably they have done the necessary due diligence and don't consider this a possibility?