West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I agree.

So the two options are:

(1) Trains TODAY, and

(2) Trains NEXT running on Xth of Xxxber, or Saturday, or whatever,

NOT

(1) Trains TODAY, and

(2) NO TRAINS TODAY

 

By way of balance: it was good to read on Steve Edge’s site about the award won by The Journal for “internal communications”. Congratulations to the team there.

 

During all of the years of comments, unanswered queries, complaints and (possibly illegal) removal of cards can you point to an occasion on here when any comment on here ever said anything to the detriment of the volunteers and daily staff?
This just seems to be another pretty poor attempt at trying to deflect criticism from where it is due - at the senior management.

 

Not since the Snailbeach thread shuffled off, at any rate!

 

Mods...mods...he said the S word!!!!

 

Yawn!

 

The trouble though is every time someone points out something that the WSR has not gotten right, so up pops the defence for the company, something as simple as re wording an information board to be more helpful to the public seems to be taken as an personal attack, clearly there are some very thin skinned people about, personally, i would have not reacted, but quietly thought, maybe we have got this not quite right, and listened to advice, and if needed just changed the wording so its made clear to the public, who pay the bills don't forget, when trains actually run, and on what days, is it really such a major problem, but its indicative of the mind set of those in positions of power, that there can be no dissent, only praise is allowed, only the most blinkered will not see that criticism can be constructive, and a force for good, No body likes being told thats wrong, but the sensible amongst us will actually look at whats being remarked about and take on board what needs to be done,

 

That is all true, but in this case in particular, the post was very much "Look where you've cocked up now" rather than "You've done well overall, but this little matter could have been done better". There are many ways to convey criticism, but only a few of them are ever likely to receive a positive response and this wasn't one of those.

 

Martin

Whilst in this forum it is commonplace for the directors and senior staff of the WSR to be castigated for a minor error (leaving out a noticeboard that should have been removed), you do - despite being a moderator - sink to a new low with your insulting comparison. But what I find incredibly depressing is that you see fit to draw some kind of parallel between the intense suffering of tens of thousands of people under Putin, with the comparably essentially trivial activities in a corner of West Somerset. This shows a lack of judgment and proportion which is, frankly, breathtaking. Don't apologise to us - we're used to it - but I suggest you make some kind of personal private gesture for the people of Ukraine.

Frank Courtney

 

@FrankC

I was for a number of years a WSR Annual Pass Holder along with my sons so one way and another spent much time & money on the line.

I want it to survive and thrive, but this year I have bought a Swanage Annual Pass instead.

Why? Apart from the fact that I am not even sure that its available I am far far from convinced that the line will survive or thrive.

I don't post on this thread that often at the moment as I see little point, there are serious questions that the supporters of the PLC management decline to address, so if you would be so good.

1. Washford. Fundamentally it raises two issues, firstly the way it was handled crystallised the doubts that many of us had about the way the PLC was being run, and 'brought the railway into disrepute' Secondly at a time when the line desperately needs money it has put off many potential donors. Certainly -and I didnt say anything, I was simply content to listen, I was surprised at the strength of 'Anti WSR' feeling that was expressed at my local Model Railway Society, none of whom are NP members to the best of my knowledge, as a result of the decision to evict the S&DRT, and the individual members wont be giving any money as a result.

Clearly if you could explain why the decision was handled the way it was and why the Trust had to go that would be a great help.

2. Secondly, and irrespective of the current condition of the infrastructure, the railway needs to spend more than it earns from fares. How does it propose to raise the money especially given that the way it is structured makes it less easy to apply to major funders such as The Lottery, and it cannot get Gift Aid. Again a solution has been provided in the form of the report 'Peaceful Somerset' but the PLC has declined to go down that route, despite the proposed structure being broadly similar to most other major preserved lines. Cost has been mentioned, but given that as a for example The Bluebell has reformed its structure recently.

Again, your comments please - or others who support the PLC will be welcome.

Finally, and looking at the issue of the Minehead Station A Board. My wife isnt interested in Railways, she doesnt even travel very well, but we have in recent years visited the Swanage, Mid Hants, North Norfolk, K&ESR, RH&DR, Ffestiniog, Tallylyn & WHR together with our children. Generally she enjoyed them all and was impressed by them all, but not the WSR, her comment was a lack of attention to detail, for example the abandoned planters on the platform at Minehead and the rather tatty condition of the rolling stock. While the offending A Board at Minehead isnt in itself a major issue, it is a symptom.

 

If that had been my sole intention I would have done a screenshot of the board only instead of a link showing the whole video

 

John
I am afraid I have found over several years that responding on NP to points like the ones you raise simply draws forth a range of comments from those who seem predisposed to see the worst of the WSR. If you care to PM me your email address, I am happy to respond, though I doubt I am going to convince your wife!
Frank

 

I agree. The major battles seem to have been fought, and the victorious parties identified. It is now for them to show how they were right, and those of us who didn’t believe in them misjudged them.

There are worse fates than scathing criticism on NP, being ignored being one of them.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Or like TV - switch off or turn to another channel. If you look back, it’s noticeable that some people no longer post here.

 

@FrankC PM me if you wish, I look forward to hear what you have to say.

I have had a number of private conversations with those on both sides of the debate, and must thank them for what they have said. As those conversations were private I have kept them that way, however I believe that these issues need to be dealt with in public, so while I look forward to hearing from you, on this occasion I do not undertake to keep your comments private. If, however I put them in the pubic domain, I will do so in full.