West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I think that the thread should stay open but perhaps some active members/volunteers could post more good news stories and photos to keep us all informed.

Ed Chap

 

Well, if you are convinced that a major part of any eventual failure of the WSR will be a failure of the senior management, then it is logical to want to try and stop that failure by replacing the elected members of the senior management with others. Most of the posters who are saying they don't want the WSR to fail are offering this solution to what they see as the railway's main problem. However, this obviously doesn't count as doing anything to stop the failure. It's a bit like a man going to the doctor and said that he suffered from terrible stomach pain every time he ate rhubarb. The doctor advises him to stop eating rhubarb. The man gets annoyed and said that really liked the taste of rhubarb and that he thinks the doctor's job is to prescribe him a pill that would enable him to eat rhubarb without getting stomach pains.

 

Some of us believe that the WSR's best chance to survive and prosper (and probably its only chance) would be with a change of structure, along the lines of the Bailey report or perhaps those of the earlier Coombes report. Although communications from the management have been less extensive that they might, and some of what has been said has seemed contradictory, one thing they have made very clear is that they have no intention of allowing the restructuring except possibly far in the future. Post #39835 is the most recent reminder of their revenge on people who tried to enable some change. It is painful to watch the WSR heading for failure but that is how it looks from all that has been said on here over the last umpteen pages.

 

Q.E.D.

 

It is a sad feature of certain types of regime that diversity of views and experience - a strength for most types of organisation - are rejected in favour of slavish adherence to a single party state.

That has all sorts of unfortunate consequences, including the moral comprising of those too weak or too tired to stand up for what is right, as well as empowering those with few morals in the first place. Eventually, of course, such regimes rot from the inside.

Whether any of that is relevant to the present WSR, I leave others to judge.

 

Proof, if ever it were needed, that the present PLC board had precisely zero intention of implementing any of the structural change recommended by @Lineisclear, and were simply waiting for an opportune moment to spin an excuse as to why they couldn't do it and carry on as before.

 

As "Monkey Magic" and myself have had some 'flack' today, it is firstly a pity "Big Al" had to deal with it rather than 2 of our rather better informed 'moderators'.

Secondly, my "spin" post late yesterday evening was in the context of "Noddy" accountancy as per the rest of that post.

I am perfectly content with the PLC Chairman praising the work of volunteers etc - that is what one would expect.

What I don't understand is what I still regard as "spin" as to the financial and accountancy stuff in the statement by the Chairman. What on earth was this forecasted budgetary loss? If you can get your head round that, and without going into it further perhaps (though I did privately, and as others did such as "Monkey Magic" explicitly on here) then I would submit that "spin" is very apt and appropriate.

 

Ian- That is exactly how I recall the approach of the 10(approx) proposed new trustees. That you chose at the time to see their approach as a threat, rather than the positive that many of us saw, and are happy to go along with the vilification and banishment of those who sought what they thought was the best for the WSR seems indicative of the prevailing attitude amongst senior personnel. And indicative of the deep seated insecurity amongst those senior people.
Sorry, but there it is.

 

And these " Usual suspects" only appear to be active on this one thread, i have not come across any postings of for example @Steve Edge on say the S&D thread, or any non railway threads, its almost as if they only post on here to support the WSR PLC, but of course, i could be wrong As i have said previously, Its all about power, those with it, do not, wish to give it up, under any circumstances, especially if they can get their own way, and ride rough shod over everyone to retain that power, I share Robin Whites concern that in time it will implode from with in, taking the WSR down with it,

 

Whatever the present difficulties, it would be wrong to criticise Steve Edge who, through his website has done more to support and promote the WSR than anyone.

 

As @martin1656 has named me, let me comment. After personal abuse by a moderator (and others), I have limited my postings to those topics closer to me, such as posts mentioning wsr.org.uk (or me). Personal experience suggests I probably have more reason to post about the S&D than most Nat Pres members, but I do not understand your comment about my lack of postings to the "S&D thread" (which is, I believe, more about the SDRT than the S&D). As ever, happy to discuss offlist.

Steve
wsr.org.uk

 

Who are these "others"? - Do you have anybody in mind?

Few on here seem to be suggesting they are willing to step forward preferring to express their displeasure ad nauseum.

 

Considering what happened to the 10 and @5914's experience is it any wonder?

People from inside and outside the WSR have stepped forward offering an alternative point of view and been ignored, rebuffed, and in the case of the 10 subjected to retribution.

 

Well, if you go upthread a bit, you will see that @5914 was willing to "step forward" and help, but was ignored. A disinclination to suffer the fate of the "10" is not a disqualification for pointing out what is apparently wrong with the WSR on an internet forum. It is perfectly possible to know that something is wrong without having the slightest inkling of how to fix it or any inclination to do so.
Edit: Pipped by @Monkey Magic

 

Evidence of further hole drilling for rivets on tender T2061, destined for 7828 Odney Manor.

The tender team have been busy over the last few weeks marking out the position of the angle irons that secure the cross baffles and tie rods to the side plates, then drilling the rivet holes. The two front plates have been formed and secured in position, these confirmed the height of the top angle iron which supports the top plate of the tank. Each length of angle then required approx 150 holes for the 3/8" rivets which will follow.

In the base all the holes for the joint between the main tank and the well tank have been drilled. Limited progress on the back as we are waiting for the welding department to form and weld up the flange of the floor plate where it attaches to the curved corners.

Following test riveting of sample plate work of varying thicknesses we have been able to order enough rivets of varying lengths to secure the bulk of plates bolted together so far.

All photos thanks to Paul Orrells, one of the team.

View towards the front, the cross angle irons are temporary braces to keep the sides at the correct width apart.


Front left hand corner with front plate in position.


View towards the rear plate.


The right hand side. Bolts in every other hole ready for the rivets along the bottom of the side plates. Holes for the joint with the well tank along the white painted line.

 

.... and the usual suspects slag off the management.

There are (at least) two sides to every story, and none of them are necessarily right.

Things happened. Decisions were made. They weren't what some people wanted. But what is to be achieved by continually banging on about them in an online forum?! You might as well put up a "WSR management out" placard in your local shopping centre.

 

Neither of you do yourself any favours with this continual sniping and petty point-scoring.