The 10A Allocation

Without air brakes on them or CDL fitted vac stock the question still remains... why bother with all this, albeit I suppose the staff members who would normally have been maintaining a pretty extensive (And extensively used) fleet will have had time on their hands for the last couple of years so swift progress is hardly unexpected.

 

That is true but it is the province of one man's wishes and whims so impossible to deduce from the outside.

 

The most recent images I've seen are from April 2024 where 34016 is parked outside and doesn't look as if an overhaul had commenced.

 

34016 has donated alot of small and large components to 35018 and 34067. I am under the impression that there is absolutely no intention of ever doing it as things stand. It and 34073 are there purely as strategic spares.

48151, 45110 and 6201 are the main focus of work.

45593 hasn't been touched since it arrived.

 

48151 has been done for a while. Hasn’t been the subject of work for quite some time now.

 

Surprising it hasn't had an outing with a a Chairman's special really, being the pet.

 

Why start racking up the mileage and ticket on it when it can’t be used fully? Maybe if MK1s returned…..How nice would that be! People would probably still moan!

 

That's a shame about 34016 if correct- it was a decent performer and seemed quite popular when on operation, and was complete.

 

It seems very strange for a businessman like Mr Smith who is obviously very financially aware, to spend time and resources restoring steam locos to just sit around doing nothing! I understand it is his perogative, they are his toys after all, and whilst they are not technically losing him money, they are not making money either. Perhaps it is simply the enjoyment of knowing they are ready to go whenever they are needed?

 

Tax write off.

Might as well have the benefit of the locos being rebuilt, and lose the cost against tax.

 

I’ve become increasingly curious as to the inner workings of WCRC what with the ongoing CDL saga and motive power issues, so in an attempt to discover how Mr Smith manages to carry on unfettered like some kind of steam Trump I’ve had a poke around inside Companies House …..

Following two resignations in March, WCRC now has three directors, Mr Smith himself, the company secretary, one Christine Smith of the same abode and vintage, and a Patricia Marshall.
So it seems unlikely that there is likely to be much dissension in the ranks with regard to Smith’s chosen course of action.

Delve deeper, follow the money if you will, by clicking on Smith to find what other companies he holds directorships in. A look at TWRC is particularly recommended, esp if you then click on the company, it’s history and turn over of directors (clue, was Wensleydale Railway Co until mid 2025).

Your starter for 10 ….

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/03066109/officers

 

If you think the structure of William Smith (Wakefield) Ltd is slightly complicated. Try any number of bigger companies and you will find multiple layers of holding companies, with ownership crossing over multiple times during the annual cycle of Confirmation Statements.

At least with William Smith (Wakefield) Ltd and subsidiary companies, the buck stops with the outright owner.

 

I’m not suggesting it’s particularly complex, I’m pointing out just how autocratic it all is.