SVR General Discussion

Yes, we should get someone with a railway background to run the SVR. What could possibly go wrong?

 

How about a vintage day out, at one of my favourite places.

 

Brilliant,and so different. The constant smooth scrolling gives a unique continuity .

 

I suspect that a Steadycam-type device was used but used so well.

YIPPEE!! No music to mask the location sounds. Other film makers please take note. Music is a disruption, not a benefit.

 

Not always. Have a look at some of @Sammy B Films other videos. He/she occasionally uses music and, with care, it can add to the atmosphere of a video.

 

I will admit to not having seen any of Sammy B's other videos. I obviously need to.

 

This one works for me.

 

One of Sams best is "time to shine".

It should be used as an advert for getting more volunteers onto the railway.

 

'Hop On, Hop Off Returns'.


'From September 7th, normality will resume on the Severn Valley Railway with the return of Hop On, Hop Off services and Freedom of the Line tickets.

This means you can start your journey at any station and swap trains as you like. You can pre-book your tickets or turn up at the booking office and purchase travel tickets, including intermediate station travel, on the day.

Alongside this, the Autumn Steam Gala and Autumn Diesel Gala will both run with traditional Hop On, Hop Off formats.

We can't wait to welcome you back'.

 

Andy has hit the spot here. I think we have to accept that heritage railways for the most part would be basket cases if looked at from a purely business-based standpoint. What holds them together is a combination of their commercial activities and - and I'm using this word advisedly - love, which will give and keep on giving without any thought of a commercial return if treated with respect and consideration. There is a danger that, if people no longer feel they are valued and respected, they will withdraw their support and walk away, and then no gadarene herds of peppa pigs or garish steam in lights extravaganzas will be able to cut it.

Of course, the bottom line is bums on seats (no pun intended), and there have to be family-oriented activities such as the above in order to generate income, but at the same time it is dangerous to ignore the fact that many supporters are supporters because they remember the BR steam era and wish to see it re-created in the most authentic way possible for as long as possible. With luck and longevity, this will continue to be the case for quite a few years yet, and it shouldn't be forgotten that it is amongst this demographic you are likely to find the greatest amount of disposable income. Alienating such folks is unwise: basic courtesy is all that is needed, and it costs nothing.

 

Down in the small print at the bottom I read "Members, Shareholders and Loyalty Pass holders must pre-book their table or compartment in advance."

If that's accurate and not just an oversight left over from the pre-change conditions, it seems rather unnecessary. I don't know what the situation was for shareholders and LP holders, but members certainly did *not* need to pre-book back in the "normality" the article says will now resume. While of course I don't expect absolutely everything to return precisely to how was in 2019, this seems a potential irritation without any obvious justification.

On another note, mentioned by a number of people earlier in another context: I don't expect the railway to engage in public discussions on forums like this. I *do* expect them to at least be aware of the gist of what people are saying away from "official channels." Private emails allow for personal conversations that could not be held in public. Public forums allow issues and grievances to see sunlight. I'm much less of an "insider" than most people here, and I believe in a presumption of openness from bodies like the SVR. In other words, "say it in public unless it has to be private", not "say it in private unless it has to be public."

 

@Wyreman I'm a shareholder and planning to travel on 7 Sep. I've checked that exact point with a very helpful lady at the SVR this morning. You are correct, they have wrongly carried forward some old booking conditions, and the service is fully "turn up and go" for everyone, members shareholders whoever. I guess the website will be corrected shortly. Very good news.

 

Thank you! Really pleased you like it! It's been sitting on the hard drive for a year and a half now, (not intentionally) so it's good to finally release it.

Thanks! I do like the simplicity of these films I make, (there's more to come) as I'm still a big railway enthusiast, I too want to just see what the event was like in a more simple way. That being said, I love creating films with music, as long as it's an extension of the film, and not just because it's a nice track, with random footage. Personally, I think the 'music based films' is where I thrive. Thanks again!

Feel free to check some out! I have quite a variety of content. Personally, I'd recommend, Your Invite Home, Penrose (not svr) Open House Weekend, Step Back to the 1940s, Your Time To Shine, and Touching Home..... to name a few. I hope you like what you see and thanks again!

I love how people always refer to Your Time To Shine, as really, that's where the SVR took me much more seriously. (that and the Bridgnorth share offer film) I still get quite a buzz when people mention it. Thanks!

Thank you! Glad you like it. There will be more to come. Forgive my lack of knowledge, what is CME?

 

The previously mentioned planning application for the work at Bridgnorth station building has been granted.

 

Please note that there is an amended service on 8th September due to visiting the Saphos tour.
https://www.svr.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?a=976
https://www.svr.co.uk/pdf/2021/2021 September Timetables/Timetable September 8th.pdf

 

I was about to like this post until the last paragraph. I am old enough to remember BR steam but in practice all I remember is traveling on the Isle of Wight to Cowes at least once (living as I did in Southern Electric territory). On the other hand I remember visiting the Bluebell Railway in it’s first season when it did not reach Hosted Keynes. However in the 70s I remember (and loved) visiting (as they were then known) preserved railways. Some of us of a certain age do not hanker after boring BR black but long for the golden age of railways before nationalisation. P.S This is not a political point so please do not take it as such.

 

Hello Rob. I don't think we disagree in any way, at least as regards what you've said. I wanted to say that there are still lots of folks out there (me included - I'm old enough to remember a virtually 100% steam-worked railway, back in the late 1950's, argh!) who wish to see as authentic a re-creation of the steam past - whether BR, pre-Nationalisation or pre-Grouping - as possible given today's conditions, but who are willing to put up with the meretricious stuff and diesels (sorry, I know lots of diesel enthusiasts read the Forum, so please don't take offence) provided they don't feel forgotten and unappreciated.

I don't know if that last remark counts as being 'political' and I don't want to stir up another hornets' nest having already been taken to task (to put it mildly) for suggesting that there appears to be a lack of courtesy and care in certain elevated quarters, and that this is unwise as there's a danger that the elderly goose will keep its golden eggs where the sun don't shine rather than wanting them to be used for the benefit of our preserved lines. As I hope I said earlier, you need a healthy mix of the commercial and the romantic (something that's done for, and with, love, if you like). Neither is any good without the other if you're looking at a feasible future for the hobby.

 

I sent a lengthy EMail to the SVR about ten days ago regarding shareholder benefits and the crass way the issue has been handled.

In addition I had a number of concerns regarding the annual accounts and the ever increasing number of full time paid staff.

No response whatsoever. I have been a member since 1969 and a shareholder from the beginning. I must have donated
thousands over the years in share purchases, raffles and specific appeals. The charitable trust is also mentioned in
my will. I think I am going to have a think about that as the way I see it is that the SVR is becoming more and more detached
from its supporters and with a cost base which is simply unsustainable.

 

Surely some of that increase in staff is related to the engineering side of things which always seems to be very busy.