West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I don't think any WSRA trustee holds the portfolio for diversity & inclusion. Perhaps one of the newly elected candidates would like to take on the role ?

 

Heads in buckets of sand, syndrome, and its widespread across the entire WSR , It's akin to what an Ostridge might do when it sees a family of Lions, Its only when it feels the Lions gnawing on its hindquarters does it think, " this isn't good" and i should move rather quickly, but its already to late, its already passing out through blood loss, so its the same with the WSR, There's a potential crisis, our liabilities exceed our income, PLC "crisis what crisis?" so they ignore it, for time being, then it happens, this time its the bankers, rather than Lions gnawing on their collective hind quarters, they want their kilo of flesh, and the notices go up, the rest of the railway suddenly awakens, but its too late, a bit like Nero, they slumbered whilst the line burnt.

 

To be fair, both the new Trustees issued detailed personal profiles/statements as part of the pre-AGM supporting paperwork. I made my (proxy) vote on that basis. Given the nature of the meeting and the current circumstances, it was inevitable IMHO that the pre-cast proxy votes from absent members would far outweigh the number present in the hall on the day. So even 'personal appearances' and impassioned pleas for votes would have been unlikely to have altered the outcome.

 

(using 20p / second as noted by others)

A round trip ticket at the WSR is £25, for what is currently a 4hour return journey.

14400 seconds * 0.20 = £2880 cost for that 4 hours.

There is no way that 40 passengers at £1000 max is a break-even figure for the railway overall...



On a general note;
"Bus Transfer to Minehead"

 

Rail replacement bus service, would be more apt, but that has me wondering, if the WSR were to find its self unable to trade, whats stopping A bus company owning chairman running a replacement vintage bus service calling at the stations, in the place of trains, even picking up at Taunton Stn, to try to pick up any trade that might be on offer, after all he has the buses, the drivers, would the council accept an vintage bus operation in place of a railway as it still would serve the public transport and leisure requirement and give him a route ?

 

I think you are seeing an opportunity that isn't there! People really turn up for a ride on a steam-hauled train, would they really come for a ride instead on a bus if the railway was to close? If they do, perhaps it could start a trend for off-peak services on other heritage railways!

 

I was just wondering, that's all, For instance, what is the local bus service around Minehead like, is there any services that link into other tourist attractions, such as Lynmouth and onto the L&B at Woody bay for example, you would have thought a summer season, vintage bus linking Minehead and Woody bay might attract custom, if it went through other places of interest on the way.

 

I wouldn't fancy running a vintage bus up and down Porlock Hill myself. Or through Porlock for that matter. It was hard enough just trying to get a transit through last saturday

 

They do run though. But having driven it both ways, I agree.


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The Toll Road that avoids it is quite interesting, as is the one via Lee Abbey

 

Martin, you out to consider the terms of the lease with the SCC and the WSR plc!

(I have a copy).

There is a requirement of the lease - a condition - that trains run a minimum number of days over the whole line - with a few 'iffs and buts' that probably cater for the Seaward Way crossing delay, that SCC is a party to, and paying for and is not going to bothered by unduly.

Not running trains at all and with a replacement bus service would suggest the lease with SCC being no longer of any effect such that everything vests in the SCC...

Track, buildings, and land as in the lease. All reverts back to exclusive ownership of the SCC.

A few issues to be dealt with, but that is my general assessment of the provisions of the SCC lease to the WSR plc.

 

I couldn't find the latest due accounts of the WSR plc lodged with Companies House today.

Many of us who are members of the SDRT are awaiting these accounts with considerable interest.

 

https://www.firstbus.co.uk/somerset...e=EXMO&routeid=23824745&operator=31&print=pdf

 

Filing due 30/9/21

 

Having had a go on the WSR website trying to book a ticket;

This page; https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/timetables , says nothing about it being bus at the Minehead end, until you click on the actual timetable.

If you used the 'book tickets' link at the top, at no point does it tell you that it's a bus Minehead-Dunster (!)

The service from Minehead isn't very good either, there's only 1 round trip available, which gives you under an hour in Bishops Lydeard. Not enough time to get lunch at any of the pubs they recommend.


Has anyone proofread this page?
Why does it mention compartments of 6 when they aren't available? Why is it so aggressive? Why isn't it trying to 'sell' the meal; what's the fish, what's the batter, any sides available? Drinks available? What's included in the Cream Tea?
https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/events/detail/fish-and-chip-plus-cream-tea-specials

 

I did see what appeared to be an older bus(they all look alike to me) between the top of Porlock hill and my turnoff. I am not a commercial driver, and I respect the skills of those who are, but in that instance I was simply surprised that the driver was able so sit comfortably on the seat despite possessing what must be huge cojones

 

Having looked a several other Heritage Railway Websites I have yet to see any description of "What the fish is" or "What the batter is" or "Sides Available" apart from mushy peas. As for cream tea - Even The Wolseley in Mayfair only describes a cream tea as "handmade fruit scones with homemade jam and clotted cream along with a choice of our teas"

Nit picking at its finest maybe?