West Somerset Railway General Discussion

You must be restricting your news items, because I have seen at least four announcements about Bob Meanley and his achievements.

 

Fantastic, can't wait. Brilliant work, well done, you should be very pleased!

 

Oh, give it a rest, will you? The never ending pretence amongst some posters that criticism of the ever-changing board of directors is criticism of the sterling efforts of the volunteers on the "shop floor" is pathetic and fools nobody except those that want to be fooled. That the WSR is making progress despite the wrong decisions of the past merely shows how much better it could be if those decisions had been made correctly. "Now we've got rid of those pesky critics, everything is going swimmingly" usually translates as " We've no idea if we've cocked up, because no-one's prepared to tell us if we have".

 

I have kept out of this so far. Those that think we are trying to keep this secret are, I am afraid, misguided. A very positive statement about Bob Meanley's achievements and contribution has been issued to all the key railway press. The Board are all very sorry that our friend Bob Meanley is not able to continue his work with us, but nothing goes on for ever and we fully understand Bob's reasons. We are now actively (and openly) seeking a director of mechanical engineering. In the meantime we can continue to call on Bob's expertise as necessary.

Frank Courtney

 

We are all entitled to our opinion. For too long progress has been in spite of the Directors. Time will tell. Glad you have that opportunity.

Robin

 

What a crappy comment. Are you going to make everything the WSR do to do with the 7F? Go to MHR and pay £40 to see it double head if you want.

 

Well the S&D trust did suffer from ‘crappy’ treatment.
Unfortunately the wind has been sown, and I’m afraid the WSR will continue to reap the whirlwind for some time to come on that one.

 

I wholeheartedly agree. Could the press release be added to the PLC web site news section ?

You mentioned some time ago that a use had been found for Washford yard and that it was commercially sensitive so could not be divulged. Is the information still embargoed ?

 

It's strange that you mention pricing. I recently visited Minehead and discovered that a Rover ticket for the day was £30. First train 12:20.

I'll be visiting the Mid-Hants in a few weeks time and so checked the price of a Freedom of the Line ticket. It cost just £20. Ride all day, over the Alps, numerous services ....and hopefully with an S&D 7F.

Happy days

 

It was the board that was misguiding them, by allowing the news to come out in the way that made it look like it was a leak. Now, once again, the press release looks like a reaction to bad PR.

 

Context is everything. The poster was on about gala guest 75069 not being able to double head with a 7F.

Yes the WSR is £30 on a normal day and the 50% shorter MHR £20, but on nearly all normal days you will never see double headed services. You'd need to go on a gala day, which the MHR command £40 to be a part of, compared to the WSR's £35 an increase of 16%, £5, not 100% at £20.

You've also quoted a low season first departure of the day from the less busier end. WSR operating days tend to be longer and finish later than MHR. In fact, the latest on a normal day you can finish your day at Alton is 16:18.

 

all such comparisons are shallow and iniquitous and do nothing to move the argument along - just what are you trying to demonstrate? Every heritgae railway is so different to any other that no comparison makes any sense at all.
I could go on the Ffestiniog and pay £84 for a family ticket - and the locos are much smaller than the WSR and the rails are only half as far apart.
Ian C

 

I’m pretty sure it was not long off being ex works when it arrived at Swanage…

 

I feel your pain. Although I no longer have a young family, last summer we visited North Wales as a group of three. We travelled on most of the NG lines and my bank balance still hasn't recovered. I am amazed that anyone with a young family can contemplate it.
And it isn't just railways....longleat is £37 for an adult and you have to drive yourself around too.
What this cycles right back to is the length of the WSR and the extra running costs that entails and the resulting pound-per-mile costs of the different lines. Whilst I have cracked open the lid of that particular old chestnut, I am not proposing that we yet again debate it.
Ian

 

Who knows, the plans for a petting zoo at Washford may come to the fore again

 

That's a pity really for IMHO it needs serious discussion if personalities and general indignation can be avoided.

 

Perhaps all of us can occasionally try Martin's magic hat of reason and produce a forum high on useful discussion of facts and low on speculation, egos and insults.