SVR General Discussion

Jonathan Dunster isn't just about 50s, despite being chairman of the Fifty Fund and Class 50 Alliance for many years. He's held director roles for both Virgin West Coast and Avanti, train planning manager for Network Rail, and several years with BR. I can't think of many people with that much railway operational and organisational experience.

 

If he fights for the railway like he has fought to get the Fifty Fund to where it is today, that is no bad thing. In all seriousness, Jon Dunster is a senior railway man who has been working with the SVR board and management for number of years. He was instrumental in developing the diesel depot project into one of the best facilities anywhere (let alone a heritage railway) & is also a volunteer of many decades service. I believe his son is also following in his footsteps. He certainly ticks a lot of the boxes people are saying that needs ticking.
I should also reiterate the appointment is only temporary as an interim measure. Jon had only just retired from his day job and accepted a senior board position late last year according to the SVR News - I doubt being GM was on his radar!

 

There's no mention of southern locomotives or stock, so no. Fair to assume though that there is planned to be an LNER visitor as we have nothing of that ilk resident.

 

Mayflower has to be a good bet, given close working relationship with LSL. Has never worked a public service on the SVR (although did visit for test runs / training last autumn). Would look lovely on the teak set

 

Or dare we hope for Blue Peter?

 

I was thinking the same

 

Companies House shows he left the Class 50 Alliance board at the end of December.

The SVR's 2023 business plan will presumably already be in place (though he's part of the SVRH board that will have approved it), with any changes that might bring already planned.

It's moved quite quickly from "Helen will remain in post for the next few months" to "her departure in late February". We don't know what the contractual notice is but it's possible that it suits all parties. The SVR has an interim in place with knowledge of the business (and save a salary for the rest of the notice period?).

 

Just to add, Jon has been on the Holdings Board since 2011. He was as you have noted recently appointed vice-chairman, effectively as a consequence of Nick Paul stepping down as chairman in 2021 and former vice-chairman Mike Ball stepping up. His and the other Directors' details are on SVR Live.

https://www.svrlive.com/svr-holdings-board

My 10p worth – any GM (or MD in the SVR's case) has considerable say in day to day matters but ultimately high level policy and long term goals should be down to the entire Board. We are thankfully not in the Nabarro situation of "a Committee of one"* – some of the Board have been involved with the SVR since the 60s and I'm sure all of them have the railway's interests at heart.

*©David C Williams

 

I stumbled on this thread by accident. If it's any consolation, this conversation is happening on other HR threads as well. The issue is how to manage the situation where revenue is reduced because of the cost of living crisis and fewer paying customers. Doing nothing is a recipe for disaster. Previous plans have to be revised and economies made. Key thing in my view is to plan carefully and make sure that all staff and volunteers and kept updated with what is going on and more importantly why. Good comms are vital.

I wish you all well

 

Latest Heritage Railway has an update on Blue Peter, second half of 2023 seems more likely as the overhaul has slipped a little. The amount of work that has been done to the loco is phenomenal, but both it and Nunney Castle suffered a delay with the acquisition of Mayflower and the need to fit air brakes.

 

Ooh that would be nice ! - still my favourite livery on Tornado. And not to mention appropriate for LSLs carmine and cream set.

 

I too liked the blue. No.7 has always looked good in this livery. Alot of people complain about everything being either green or black. We are inching ever closer to the LNER holy grail of A1-4. How about all of them in this livery.

 

OK, so not a Big 4 theme, but I still presume 3 of the 4 will turn up.... perhaps a BR Std to round it all up?

 

They already have 75069…it doesn’t say a visiting BR standard ..rather than all your usual clueless guesswork why not just stay quiet and await what is announced ?

 

Oooh, I dunno, it's good to hear people's guesses and see how close/ far away they are.

 

And if you repaint Taw Valley again in Blue also !

 

And put a pair of Canadian Pacific plates on it , renumber it 35005, just to see if anyone spots the difference…

 

A bit harsh. Nowt wrong with a bit of speculation, even if it is miles off target.

 

Not sure if the A2's carried blue - anyone know for certain?