North Yorkshire Moors Railway General Discussion

Thanks for the clarification I assume this policy applies to loco groups at the MPD as well?

 

Correct!

 

A number of 23 coaches has been quoted as owned by the LNERCA. It would help put things into perspective if 60044 could tell us:
1) is this fact?
2) how many are actually on the railway at the moment? I’m fairly certain there’s nothing like 23.

 

So what's your point then?
If you want to charge the LNERCA for storage then you have to charge the loco groups too.
Honestly, your arguments are getting more and more farcical.

I assume you're not going to answer my question from post 6071?

 

60044 will have the facts but as far as I know only a few are owned by LNERCA. The others are owned by individuals or groups but managed by LNERCA. Again 60044 is likely to have the up to date details. I’d agree that there aren’t 23 currently on the railway, some are stored at Kirby Misperton and others are on other railways.

 

I have had a look at the stock list on LNERCA's website. There are 28 vehicles listed including a fish van. There are 11 not on the NYMR and 1 that is the NYMRs FIFA coach so in total 12 are either not on site or LNERCA'S. So that leaves 16 LNERCA vehicles on the NYMR, minus the current teaK rake of 5 leaves 11 stored or under restoration.

 

The point is that the possibility was raised of renting siding storage space to commercial operators as the SVR have done successfully. It was pointed out that the NYMR doesn’t have much spare siding space. The question then becomes whether it’s appropriate to continue to provide free storage for third party owned stock for which the NYMR is unlikely to have any need if it is eventually restored when the scarce same scarce space could be generating a worthwhile income?
I’m sorry my ipad doesn’t show post numbers but if you would be kind enough to remind me of your question I’ll try and answer.

 

If, as you say, the idea of renting siding space like the SVR was raised, I’m presuming that was by someone in senior management. If so, that beggars belief that such a person has so little knowledge of the railway to even suggest it.

 

No Steve. It was raised by a poster on this forum!

 

That’s almost as bad!

 

It would surely be possible to argue that providing a home to these items which are part of the history of the area and the line would be an entirely reasonable use of charity (NYMR) resources. I think if the CC were to have gone sniffing around an issue like this they’ve probably got much bigger worries about the organisation.

 

It’s an entirely reasonable question, if we’re discussing a commercial service provided to commercial clients.

 

At what point will the Trust Board stop to consider whether there is much point in the Trust continuing to exist, as its core charitable objectives (i.e. running a heritage railway and rolling stock) are gradually being eroded and sold off in favour of commercial objectives?

 

A good s

That’s a summary of what some might wish the charitable purposes were rather than those that the Trustees are actually accountable for. In any event their duty is to ensure as best they can the financial viability of the charity and that involves making sure it’s run on sound business principles including commercial activities that provide financial support.

 

Thanks Pete.
I must have a defective ipad because turning it 90 degrees does not change the orientation of the display.

 

Not necessarily defective. If the screen orientation doesn't change at all, no matter which website you are viewing, you may have Rotation Lock enabled in your settings.

 

I think your reply shows a desire to forget about or overlook the charitable purposes they are responsible for! Last time I look, the NYMR seems to regard itself as a heritage railway but seems to be quite content to put a lot of heritage to one side or in the background. Your last sentence is the most telling: "making sure it’s run on sound business principles including commercial activities that provide financial support." At the moment, those "sound commercial principles" seem to be cutting back on everything but the biggest problem - the wage bill - and dragging everything down in what seems to outsiders to be an increasing spiral of debt (which I for one do not regard as "financial support").

 

Brilliant guidance! Thanks Pete. As a result I could trace Ghost’s question.
The simple answer is developments that have kept the NYMR afloat and with the opportunity of a sustainable future. Commercial initiatives like Gift aid on fares bringing in over £450k of additional income and the Arts Council England investment of £1million over four years are just two examples. We now have beefed up capability to develop new products and services which will transform the charity’s financial performance. Despite the doom mongering comments on here there’s been a recent up beat assessment from the NYMR’s Finance Director which should inspire confidence amongst the railways many supporters.