New MHR Website:

What, you mean like Tony Wood used to do...........!!?

 

The very man!

 

Yes , why not Chessie?

The fact remains that Tony Wood is not coming back so if anyone considers themselves good photographers and writers , now is the time for your 15 minutes of fame.

Regards
Chris

 

Credit where credit is due, more images of the carriage shop building work have appeared.

Just out of interest, and without starting a new thread, but does anyone familiar with the layout at Ropley know what alterations are being made to the yard trackwork to get the tracks into the new building and connections in the yard, The building is a little longer, ie nearer to the loco works, so even less room for trackwork back out onto the running lines?

46118

 

Just noticed the Isle of Wight Steam Railway has a new website, and shock! horror! It's very professional looking, quick to load, contains information for the enthusiast, and was up and running within a day of the old website being taken down! None of this rubbish about being 'under development' for months.

Well done IOWSR, and MHR take note!

 

I spent some time this morning looking through the Swanage Railway website and enjoyed reading their 'Behind the scenes engineering' bulletins (the IOWSR mentioned above also produce a similar bulletin).

Perhaps this could be a compromise for the MHR? Updates to the website would still be uploaded, but a news bulletin could be included every month which would go into more detail like the old website used to. Perhaps the former webmaster could be persuaded to author such a bulletin?

Just an idea...


Keith

 

That is simply not true David and you know it.

Yes Tim Beere wanted to use the website as part of his marketing tool, and Tony Wood was asked by the MD if he would share the website with Tim. Tony told me himself that he informed the MD it was either his way or goodbye so Colin called his bluff. Let us not forget David that as good as Tony was with the website , (and I am a close friend off Tony,s) Mr Wood had total control over the website and if you fell foul of the way he wanted it you were excluded whether you were a volunteer or a Directer.

I suggest that you apologise for the misinformation that you have put here. That said we all make mistakes, non more so than I.

Best regards
Chris

 

Nonsense. Regardless of my great respect for the amount of information on offer, from the view of a prospective passenger it was neither attractive nor easy to navigate, and frankly it looked a decade out of date, presenting a very amateurish appearance to visitors - just the kind of thing it is Tim's job to address.

While the new interim website is not kept as up-to-date as the old one, it at least looks more professional and on a par with most lines official websites - it does the job. Is there room for improvement? Of course, and im sure Tim would welcome your help.

Chris

 

Thank you Chris and very well said.

We have agreed to disagree many times in the past but you are spot on here.

I see that the IOW website is very good indeed and well done to them. I get the feeling though that they have had a lot of time to plan this one, however that said in no way does it take away any of the credit that is due to it, wheras the MHR website was left high and dry completely in the lurch at the time Tony stepped down.

Best regards
Chris

 

Thank you David , although the content is only as good as the regular input that goes in, exactly the same with Tim Beere,s team as I did with Tony Wood.

I wholeheartedly agree that inclusion of personnel by name is vitally important to a volunteer. It is my way of saying "thank you" to these guys for giving their time and skills to the group for the good of the Railway as a whole.

I shall pass a link to Tim for his comments. Contrary to common belief of some people he does LISTEN AND READ all of this and takes all on board as they who never do so never learn anything.

The past is past , we cannot change that so please guys do let us please look towards the future?

Best regards
Chris

 

David, it is the railways official website, the MHR's 'shop window' and so it is entirely right that its run from a commercial point of view. As important as enthusiasts are, its families which the line relies on, and first impressions do count.

This means making the wesbite simple, attractive, quick to load and professional. A mum or dad who picked up a MHR leaflet in the supermarket arent interested about whether the 9F or Wadebridge is running, nor about overhauls or p-way work; they want the upcoming Thomas event to be clearly promoted so they can quickly find out how much tickets cost; they want an easy to understand timetable; information on toilet facilities, and where the café is.

Of course, information of more interest to me and you shouldnt be done without, but there has to be a balance between what enthusiasts want and making the railway commercially viable at a time when operating costs are only getting higher. Im afraid thats just how it is.

Chris

 

David, I do not know what department you work in, or even whether you are a volunteer on the Railway, but would it not be a good idea if you got out your trusty camera and took some piccies in Ropley shed, added some text and sent it to Tim? I am sure he would be grateful.

Regards
Chris

 

'Contrary to common belief of some people he does LISTEN AND READ all of this and takes all on board as they who never do so never learn anything.'

Not to sound sharp tongued or anything, but to me it doesn't seem as though he does anything about it. That's just my personal opinion.

 

Am afraid I have to agree with 850.....after correspondence was exchanged with said person, advice was given but advice was not acted upon.

 

I have just had a reply from Tim Beere which I will send to some friends on this forum who have better computer skills than I do.

Secondly I was at Ropley today getting some updates on the main shed, the boiler shop and the HLF C&W building. pictures and text should be on the MHR website fairly soon.

Regards
Chris

 

Updates have gone on today regarding the Black 5 and the 3 boilers in the newly erected boilershop under the Loco Shed page. Well done to all involved!! The 'U-Boat' tender looks like it has been rubbed down in preperation for Duncan..

 

Andy, apart from the Black 5 update the rest of it was me with my little digital camera.



Regards
Chris

 

What makes you think that your advice was correct though? Let's remember this man has extensive experience in the marketing business, with a very successful company.