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SVR General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by threelinkdave, Aug 20, 2014.

  1. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    They did - it was in the Branch lines newsletter.
     
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  2. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    It was announced in the SVR's monthly newsletters last month...
     
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  3. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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  4. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    Not everyone gets that, I do but didn't read it.
     
  5. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    :rolleyes:
     
  6. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    But it is a available to everyone, so it’s not exactly a secret.
     
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  7. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    No I missed it, its not really an interest now as I'm only a member until the end of this month.
     
  8. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Okay, going back to your original comment, what exactly is the issue in the structure change? It seems quite sensible to me to combine the responsibilities as has happened.
     
  9. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    It's not the combination of the responsibilities that's the problem, it's the person in the job. She has managed to annoy shareholders, alienate a section of the enthusiast membership base and from what I can understand a number of volunteers. I'm very sad to be throwing in the towel after 52 years but if that's the way the SVR want to go then I don't want to follow.
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2021
  10. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    While agreeing the Shareholder issue has been poorly handled (I am both a shareholder and member), it wasn’t one person’s decision, rather a board decision so you cannot really lay all the blame on an individual.

    Enthusiasts - I’m guessing you mean the charter and photographic passes? If so it’s a difficult one but times change and H&S is getting more tightly controlled all the time. I’m sure it wasn’t a decision taken lightly and the reality is the same outcome could of occurred regardless of who is in charge.

    Volunteers - I cannot comment on that one.

    It may surprise you to hear this from an enthusiast that I’m glad the railway is taking a more commercial approach and realising that in the 21st century needs to complete with the other tourist attractions as that is exactly what the SVR is and that is the core market.
     
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  11. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    @Johnb

    I knew via multiple routes . Whilst I happily agree that the way the SVR has handled issues has been poor in comparison to their usual standards , it is not all the GM's fault , the board are equally culpable with most of the contentious decisions taken at board level.

    I suspect the GM is maybe equally surprised by the news as she was very much aware the knives were out . Of all the recent GM's I've spoken to Helen far more than any other , she has been in conversation the most honest and transparent and above all she has taken the time to listen to me , read my mails and respond in an engaging manner .

    It was good to catch up at Kidderminster on the gala weekend with her
     
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  12. mdewell

    mdewell Well-Known Member Friend

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    "moves away from its routes."
    Does it no longer run between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth then? :D
     
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  13. 3ABescot

    3ABescot Member

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    The decision I've never seen properly explained is the end of Charters. They've been lumped in with photers' Permits, where there is a clear H&S problem with unsupervised wandering about by anybody who has paid (often to the detriment of the rest of us I might add).
    Charters by contrast are pre-booked by known organizers who exercise close supervision. Some of the resulting pictures are widely published and must make excellent publicity.
     
  14. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Possibly due to the fact both involve going lineside? Some of the risks will be the same for both although as you highlight the organised charters are probably less but I guess there is still an element of risk involved.
     
  15. Paul Grant

    Paul Grant Well-Known Member

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    I know its an overused meme (elf n safety gone mad) but H&S has largely been driven by insurance. I'd assume insurance for a railway is infinitely more complex than the type for a car so allowing for members of the public (trained or not) to be anywhere outside of marked areas is either going to be a big no no or a financial sink for a few charters a year. And if you look deep enough in the forum, you'll find a gruesome tale of a photographer falling to his death from a bridge on the SVR. Not saying thats purely a driver but has to be taken into account.

    I can't believe we're this far past the millenium and it still needs spelling out. The SVR (amongst a number of other heritage lines) have come a long way from the start as small-c conservative cranks enthusiasts saving whatever they can rustle up some shillings for or get for being polite. They've become a pillar in the world of leisure and tourism. So having a force of shabby public facing folks and tired just-out-of-service stock doesn't really grate the wasabi to the General Public in the days of shiny attractions. Its laughable to suggest the SVR doesn't care about enthusiasts. Why bother with events like diesel galas if they're only bothered with the money of the public. Even the steam galas are technically enthusiast havens but have appeal with the general public. I can't think of a single railway run entirely by and for enthusiasts because they're impossible to please. And those that have tried that have been closed down for a slew of problems. It takes nouse to bring in money that funds the costs of running a railway. Otherwise, we'd shoot down Santa trains and TTTE because it isn't pure Consumables cost money and thats before we consider big ticket items like extensions, overhauls, buildings etc. I can't but help theres something else in peoples problems with Helen Smith but cant quite put my finger on it.
     
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  16. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    Auto correct strikes again!
     
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  17. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    I think we've been here before, H&S is a complete red herring, the ORR are happy for photo charters to carry on and they are still welcomed by the GCR, Worth Valley, South Devon, Bluebell and others. It's a convenient excuse because the new non railway minded management of some railways can't be arsed. As a member of the Stanier Mogul Fund I had hoped to do a few charters with the LMS set in the future but now not to be. Lineside passes are becoming rare but still available to members on some railways. The SVR have been a bit illogical here, it's apparently safe to go lineside if you have a permit but when that runs out it instantly becomes unsafe, at least the GC were logical about their decision passes were withdrawn from all.
    The sort of people who will pay the thick end of £100 for a charter are not the same as those who attend a Gala, They are often the ones who pay to see their favourite loco get through its overhaul and dig into the pocket when disaster hits, the family day tripper on the Valley are not likely to stump up if a 2007 type flood happens again.
    I'm not the only member who feels like this, its interesting that the total membership figure is no longer published in SVR News
     
  18. Johnb

    Johnb Nat Pres stalwart

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    You've obviously never been on a charter. There is a big risk, the journey to and from the event!
     
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  19. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    The membership figure is published in the current SVR news page 59 ;)


    Incorrect, in fact many years ago I was involved in running a few with our local railway society - both photographic and passenger charters which we ran on the GWSR. To me it seems you cannot accept a tightening of H&S, the same tightening which would probably stop me clambering about steam engines in my early teens - I never was in danger but wouldn’t be allowed now.
     
  20. Paul Grant

    Paul Grant Well-Known Member

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    Cool but the ORR isn't paying out or being watched when some clot with a pervert lens trips over a signalling wire or slides down and embankment.

    If people are that pissy with money then maybe they should just stuff it under their mattress.

    Don't leave the house then? Everything has risk which is why we have mitigation, assessments, barriers, seat belts, 3 pin plugs etc
     

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