West Somerset Railway General Discussion

The Plc may be crap at press releases, but they are not so crap that they would state the real reason for Bob Meanley's departure, if it had really been because he had a bust-up with his fellow board members over the S&DRT. Why he left sounds suspiciously like the reason "to spend more time with his family" given when a politician is chucked out of the cabinet, especially since he has since rejoined.

 

And then who would run it?!

Donald Rumsfeld's speech about known knowns and unknown unknowns comes to mind.

Does anyone have a balanced view at the WSR anymore??

 

Yep

I have an entirely balanced and reasonable view.

Unreasonable behaviour by others does not make that any less so.

 

Unfortunately all the other parties on the WSR would say the same (and sometimes much more aggressively).

 

Although I think the line about malevolence and internet trolls perhaps shows which side of the argument he fell.

 

84E

At what stage is the overhaul and in which year is it likely to be completed?

 

I think everyone close to the action knows exactly who needs to stand aside from the governance of the WSR: they are few in number and nearly all go back a long way. They are the Montagues and the Capulets of the WSR and without them, and with a new structure, the railway stands a good chance of surviving. With them and retaining the current structure, it's toast.

 

According to a poster on here it should have been last year.

 

Robin alluded to the issue also, when she remarked that the PLC directors at the time being a mixture of being too old, to tired and too weak to stand up to the chairman, in effect abandoning their duties as directors, and allowing the chair to in effect launch an takeover, very much like a cuckoo throws the weaker chicks out of the nest, and demands the food for it's self.

 

"New for 2021... West Somerset Railway presents Winterlights!!

At Bishops Lydeard Station, the magic begins. A seat aboard an illuminated train awaits, ready to take you on an unforgettable winter journey. Travel along our enchanted track, through woodlands and countryside transformed for the season. Spectacular lineside displays will shine and glow, to the amazement of the whole family. An encapsulating tale will unfold along the way, before you arrive at Crowcombe Heathfield, where you will gaze in wonderment through the carriage windows at a famous station steeped in festive spirit. It's then back to Bishops Lydeard in warm, cosy, comfortable carriage before your wonderful Winterlights journey becomes Christmas memories to treasure.

Snacks and drinks will be available to purchase before hand in the welcome marquee and from the train buffet once underway.

Goodie bags are available to purchase with your tickets, and will be collected from the marque when you arrive.

Tickets must be booked online in advance.
https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/events/detail/winterlights"

Having experienced this at other Heritage Railways, it's a brilliant family event that has become extremely popular in recent years and will no doubt draw people in to our wonderful railway.

There is something quite special about steam at night during the winter months and the added light show makes for quite a spectacle.

Well done to those behind the scenes involved in making this happen.

 

It's interesting to see that the WSR has joined the various other railways offering this service, but I wonder if they have missed a trick - the NYMR have moved their version to the end of the Autumn half term week, which I think is a sensible move. The Xmas period is one of heavy expenditure for parents and some may be forced to choose between the lights or Santa trains, By moving them a few weeks apart there's perhaps a better chance of getting them to make two visits. It would be interesting to learn the views of the marketing types, and not just from the WSR!

 

I would have thought that this is aimed at a different, older market to that of the Santa Specials.

 

This is excellent news but why only as far as Crowcombe ? If the train is as stunning as has been achieved elsewhere, the potential for self-advertising should be exploited. There is a significant market in Watchet for example.

 

I don’t think longer is necessarily better on that sort of service. On the Bluebell we ran steam lights from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes - five miles, roughly comparable to BL to Crowcombe.

You’ve got a few logistical issues, the main one being the number of illuminated tableaux. Getting them concentrated is better than spread out, then just run slowly past them to allow people to gaze in wonder. 25 minutes each way at a plod with half hour of entertainment on the platform at BL while people admire the train gives a ninety minute excursion, which feels about right. Going further just drags it out and diminishes the effect of the tableaux if they are too widely spaced.

Tom

 

I would also question how significant the market in Watchet (or Minehead) is - and especially whether it is so large as to outweigh the disadvantages of serving that market first. When all sources seem to agree that Bishops Lydeard/M5 Parkway is the dominant source of traffic, and these are classic round trip offerings, I'd not criticise the railway for focusing their effort on the largest part of their target market.

 

Humbug! HUMBUG I say!!
I expect it will be well subscribed and hopefully a great success.

 

Afternoon All,

On Saturday, 14th August, 2021, The Railway Touring Company ran a charter train from London Paddington to the West Somerset Railway using LMS Jubilee Class 4-6-0 45596 BAHAMAS as far as Bishops Lydeard. From here, the train was worked over the West Somerset Railway behind a pair of GWR Manor Class 4-6-0s 7822 FOXCOTE MANOR and 7828 ODNEY MANOR.

By a lucky coincidence, I was in the area that day, so I went along to Bishops Lydeard to see the train arrive and watch the Manors replace the Jubilee at the front of the train.

This is Part One of a two part video that I shot whilst there:



Hope it's of interest.

TTFN,

Ron.

 

There's a third wave of CRF afoot that, presumably, would contribute to the WSR appeal.

Patrick

 

I wonder if the team that submitted the first, successful, bid will be put back together, or whoever did the second, unsuccessful one will have another bash?...