34039 Boscastle WC class

Well the obvious one here is on sale of the loco.

 

That's is not the same though. I admit I have not read through the constitutional docs of the Trust but I suspect it is most unlikely that an individual or individuals would benefit on winding up. If BLL sold the loco, it is likely that BLL would be wound up and the assets (cash) distributed to shareholders. The GCR plc is perhaps a better comparison but you will note from Clause 67 of the plc's Articles that it may not make distributions to shareholders and on winding up any remaining sassets have to be transferred to a simsilar institution. It would presumably be open to BLL to adopt such a restriction (I do not think there are currently such restrictions in the articles) but whether of course the shareholders are minded to agree is another matter. I think BLL is comparable to the 73156 group but whether the latter tried to recruit non-shareholder volunteers (or what success they had) I would not know.

 

FWiW, when I retired 15 years ago, one of my aims was to rekindle my hands-on association with loco restoration, repair and operation, which had had to take an enforced break since my early 20’s when I moved south find work, and subsequently marriage, family and increasing business commitments - a familiar story for many.

Is started looking locally, which for me was the Battlefield Line at Shackerstone. I pitched up at the station, asked if there was anyone around from the loco, and was directed to the shed. It was eerily quiet, but after some searching I found a solitary old chap pottering about. I asked him if they were looking for any loco vols, to which he replied that there used to be a bloke who did stuff, but he’d gone sick, so it was all hire locos with their own support crews now. I made my excuses and scarpered!

Hankering after something more akin to the KWVR of my youth, soon afterwards I was over at the GCR with Tornado, so I got chatting to the shed staff there. Again I enquired if they were looking for loco volunteers - ‘no, we’ve got plenty’ - was the reply!

And that’s how I end up at the CVR ….. on the pway! MPD’s can feel like closed shops, even when you’ve previous experience, more so if you prefer to only volunteer during the week. I never volunteer at weekends, that’s family time. I also prefer the great outdoors, which wasn’t a problem in Haworth in the 70s before the new shed was built.

Anyway, getting back to Boscastle. Just make sure that any potential volunteers aren’t being put off by others (or indeed snapped up by them). I never had to deal with these demarcations back then at the WV as we all worked on whatever was required for the greater good at the time.

 

Surely the sad fate of 7027 rather amply illustrates the pitfalls of working on locos in which those volunteering have no stake?

 

My point remains; would sale recover the moneys expended?

I’d want to look beyond legal form to the nature of the organisation; a plc structure in preservation is less a clue to nature than a means of structuring oneself.

 

I believe the Southern Locomotives Ltd is also a PLC that has assimilated other locomotive groups (35025 Brocklebank Line (five years ago ish) and Sir Frederick Pile recently) They have many volunteers working with them as well as paid staff.

 

Could well be the case although with due respect, I doubt if BLL and SLL would be viewed in the same league. As I said, some volunteers are presumably happy to work with that. However, you originally posted an apparent appeal for suggestions how to attract more volunteeers. My suggestion is that the company structure may be an obstacle. I appreciate that may not be easily fixable and seling the loco may be the route forward.

 

Is BLL a plc? It appears to be private, indeed the articles state on the first page "private company limited by shares". Setting that aside, at this point in time, the company has a loco in bits. In the normal course, a completed and operable loco would be worth more than one in bits. Costs incurred hitherto are water under the bridge as it needs to be completed to realise its full value. So at this point, work done is hopefully increasing the value of the loco, while also hopefully hastening the day when it can work again.

 

My misreading of the earlier posts; to be honest, it matters not to me which company form has been adopted.

The question for me in deciding who and what I will support is far more about the substance than the form. Railway preservation has evolved under a number of structures, for a range of reasons. That includes company structures as well as societies, charities and others. It seems odd to focus particularly on BLL for this when the same is theoretically true of many others.

 

I think most volunteers are happy to work with that, or are already working under that assumption? I couldn't name any heritage railway organisation where the volunteers would stand to gain monetarily or otherwise if an asset was sold off. I would be as equally stumped to think of any scenario where an individual has purchased to full sized steam loco, restored it to running condition and sold it on for profit or would be likely to profit if selling on?

My 'home' railway is a PLC, we own one loco, the other is loaned to us. It would start to make our operations very complicated if volunteers were picking and choosing which they worked on dependent on the owning body. In either case, if either left the railway by sale or return to owner, none of us volunteers would stand to gain anything. I think we're very far from unique in that regard.

 

Back in the loco shed, more parts for 34039 are being prepared for eventual installation.

 

For those who have not been inside Loughborough Locomotive shed recently, the new roof has made a big difference. Here is a picture (by Bristolian on here) which shows Boscastle. It is good to report that, following his offer (Post#314), Bristolian is helping with our monthly Boscastle Bulletin which goes to our shareholders and Supporters Club members.

 

Thank you Flying Phil .

 

Another opportunity to see Boscastle in detail, with guided tours of the Loughborough engine shed by the team of guides from Boscastle. The tours are free to join from 10.30 to 3.30 on Sat and Sunday April 19/20th. Just walk up from the station, they last about 30 mins and take place every 10 mins. There is no charge for a tour, but a donation towards Boscastle's overhaul is appreciated.