Bad news at Okehampton and Weardale

But unlike the Dartmoor railway, the PDSR isca viable, going concern not about to be closed...

 

The problem with Dartmoor and Weardale railways is they don't really go anywhere. Okehampton is a nice town, but it's a hell of a climb up from the town to the station. Meldon viaduct is nice, and there's a few cycle tracks around there, but not a lot else. Weardale is in the middle of nowhere, and runs between a couple of small market towns. Maybe BARS' ideas of running special themed trains isn't such a bad idea, make the railways the destination for a day/evening out, rather than just a train ride in some pleasant scenery.

 

The price of these special themed trains may be a bit exclusive. Better than total closure, but a complete about face from the original ethos of these lines. Still, if that original ethos didn't work, then ...

John

 

Exactly. The preservation movement has to be practical, or what one group of people has saved, may not last.

Noel

 

Given their current owner, I don't think either line can be classed as preserved. I doubt the american owners bought them for their main activity to be running steam. They will have bought them to make money and will either do so, close them,or sell them.

 

If not entirely preserved they are neither entirely commercial since both lines seem to rely on volunteers. Unless they have a plan to make their railways profitable with paid staff the owners will have to offer something interesting enough to keep the volunteers on board. Why else would anybody work for nothing whilst somebody else profits?

 

Well 75% of the shares are, I believe, in the hands of the american railroad. I'm sure they see themselves having the whip hand in day to day ops at least.

 

What exactly do BARS own re: Dartmoor Railway? Is it the brand, or just rolling stock plus a lease on the line.

I only ask as the freehold of the line itself is owned by Aggregate Industries and is up for sale along with Meldon Quarry. Detais can be found here: Land and property for sale by Aggregate industries

 

Re the Dartmouth Steam Railway, running heavy freight coal tanks on passenger work on the Kingswear line is about as authentic as you can get, it did happen in the "old days". Some railways, well thought off as preservation capitals run engines and stock on routes that would never have had the chance to combine. As for naming engines and coaches it brings a lot of people a lot closer, most of whom wouldn't care if the engine was pink and had bubbles coming out the chimney. A large proportion of kids want to know the engine is called Hercules, not that she was was built for use in South Wales. It is part of the DSR's sustainability. Every railway uses different traits and tricks to hopefully assure their future. To some extent, especially where peoples livelihoods are involved, you must look at the idea of "whatever it takes to keep it alive".
Would Rev Awdry be upset that Thomas the Tank has changed so much from what he started OR would he be glad that what he started is still going stronger than ever as one of the worlds most recognisable brands?

Apologies for slipping off thread.

 

Of course they have control, my point is if they're making a loss now how much worse will it be if they lose the support and free labour of the volunteers? Won't making the railway interesting enough to attract volunteers need to be part of their long term thinking?

 

I wouldn't bet on it. Depends on what they plan to do. If making it interesting enough = cost, then I suspect they may have limited enthusiasm.

 

My point exactly.

 

I agree completely - if they can make it profitable without the volunteers. But can they?

 

The latest edition of Railway Magazine reports that the Polar Express made a five figure loss on the Dartmoor Railway. Considering this is one of the main elements in their new operating model, it doesn't bode well for the future of the Dartmoor Railway.

I also understand that Roger Webster has resigned as General Manager as a result of the BARS decision regarding trains this season.

 

For this I applaud them. The DSR knows exactly what it wants to be and it does it very well. It's not only a tourist attraction in its own right, it has a destination at each end, marvellous scenery in the middle (Including a viaduct), gradients to let steam engines work hard, a main line connection for railtours, massive powerful-looking locomotives named after gods, and even windows into the workshop where people can peek at the behind the scenes.

(As an aside, from what I've read about the late Rev, I think he would be appalled at what Thomas has become)

 

Authentic = what is sustainable in the situation we are in. The GWR would have gladly painted its locos sky blue pink if it were likely to result in higher dividends for its shareholders.

Personally, I prefer BR black, preferably a bit scruffy, as that is what I knew as a kid. However if the income from an occasional visit by eccentrics like myself has to be weighed against that from thousands of holidaymakers who like names on engines etc, there can be only one answer. No use getting pedantic because other people don't have the same tastes!

Back on topic,I'm very sad if Roger Webster has resigned as GM at Okehampton - his experience and enthusiasm would, I'm sure, have seen the Dartmoor Railway progress to become a well established tourist attraction. I just hope that without the ballast trains these days, there will be sufficient 'premium fare' traffic to keep this line going. The next test is going to be whether the summer Sunday trains, which I believe are sponsored by Devon County Council, run this year.

John

 

I hope regarding the Sunday Rover trains, that Devon County Council force the issue on this one.

They have put in a considerable amount of effort to try and get the service running regularly over the years and I think now they need to take the lead and find out what the hell is going on with BARS management. Perhaps they should buy the line from Bardon Aggregates and that would allow them to call the shots.

 

The buffet at Meldon is finishing as volunteers needed the heritage trains to get there as well as the supplies. Okehampton buffet still open Friday,Saturday and Sunday. The special for Dartmoor Society on 12 April is still going to run. I believe it is sold out,although it was open to anyone to buy a ticket.

John

 

http://www.weardale-railway.org.uk/

We are sorry to announce that there are unlikely to be any heritage passenger services in 2013.