SVR Loco Newsy News / discussions

Im curious where you can find consultants who have experience of steam locomotive overhaul/repair above that of what the SVR staff have ?.

 

Well consultants, in my experience, go round asking all members/employees for suggestions about their views then compose a document to present to the people who hired them..................I'm not saying this is the case with SVR......but it beggars belief they are wasting money like this......

 

This was raised at the AGM and the Deputy Chairman explained that the firm undertook the work FOC on a "Pro-Bono" basis. He also pointed out that it was management training - not how to repair steam locomotive or maintenance training.

 

As reported in the 34053 thread, the boiler inspector has been at Bridgnorth today and, in addition to giving SKP a nice big tick he also did a cold inspection of 2857's boiler, the results of which were very positive. We'll now take the chance to give the frames one last thorough clean (started today) over the weekend before returning the boiler to the frames around the middle of the coming week.

As to the question of whether the SVR can afford to overhaul it's own locos (4930, 600 and in relevance to 46118's post 45110) of course donations/fundraising/volunteer assistance are always helpful and will be factored into the decision of which locos will be overhauled. As such, 4930 will enter BH works before 5110 because it has a support & fundraising group, however 5110's overhaul should be a relatively "cheap" once considered the extensive work done before it's previous ticket. I'm not sure how many railways finance overhauls entirely by themselves without contribution from enthusiasts & owning groups.

 

Andy, presumably the boiler inspector has also seen 2857 in steam, so should be ready to roll once re-assembled? Presumably it does not get a restart of the ticket?

Changing the subject to another SVR-based loco, have there been any developments re 80079 since its reported sale to Mr Hosking? Overhaul at Bridgnorth or elsewhere?

As far as 45110 is concerned, there was some talk elsewhere about whether a supporters group might be set up for this engine, but it appears to have come to nothing. In any event it is rather late in the day now, given that it is already out of ticket. Fortunately there are groups such as the EMF, and Friends of Hagley Hall who have been active on the SVR for some time.

 

Not a restart as I understand it, but depending on our understanding of the "ten year ticket myth" thats a bit irrelevant anyway. Certainly the boiler inspector shouldn't need to see her for another 12/18 months or so when the insurance exam comes around. The way we look at it is, the loco has been out of use for a number of months and has remedial work and so should, dependent on future operation, be a good candidate for extensions come the end of the "ten year" period.

RE '79, I have no idea whether Mr Hosking is now the owner of it or not. There were rumours of the deal collapsing but I have no real knowledge either way. The thinking when it was assumed that the deal would be done is that '79's overhaul would be contracted out elsewhere whilst the std4 group used the proceeds of sale to fund 75069's overhaul at Bridgnorth.

 

Ahem! We'd like to think we do our bit with our old bag of nails too! More hands are always welcomed of course....!

I seem to remember that when a supporters group for 45110 was mooted a while back it wasn't met with a great deal of enthusiasm from the then management. No idea why, and I don't know whether any more recent proposal has been put to the brass since. Personally, I'd love to have both the 5 and Hagley in active service on the valley as soon as possible. But then again, I also want to see 7325, 7819, 4150, 75069 and 48773 running too.

 

The thing is if the consultants are purely in a managment style, you can set all the budgets and timeframes you want, but we all know unexpected nasties could be found during dismantling an engine or a supllier can go bust and a new one needs to be sourced, these sorts of things are what blow timescales and budgets to bits sometimes.

Short of being extremely cautious with budgets set aside and timeframes, im struggling to see how modern managment techniques can be applied to Bridgnorth Works, they might have more merit in the Railways office with paperwork and advertising etc.

While every part of a Railway is equally deserving of funds, they should be able to be diverted to keeping the current Loco's and Stock operational if there's ever an emergency as if you can't provide a train service, you won't be earning a thing.

 

The management of the SVR must see a need for the consultants and are hoping for savings from there work.A large amount off back office function do affect the repairs and budgets purchasing getting the best value possible stock control all of which require systems to be put in place planning work to make best use of all resources.
No organisation can just standstill always got to be looking to improve.

 

Latest EMF newsletter here:

News from the Erlestoke Manor Fund - Great Western Railway 4-6-0 Manor Class locomotives 7812 and 7802

Patrick

 

Ruston: There were however "front of office" changes, with redundancies and new contracts in the boiler shop I think.

I really hope they have got it right now. Hasn't one long standing employee gone to Riley's?

 

Was that move for family reasons or SVR reasons? You don't know do you?

 

I dont, but it was mentioned in the general context of losing experienced staff.

 

But management training can improve productivity and output

 

I made a round trip journey just shy of 350 miles to attend today's impromptu diesel gala.I would certainly not have driven that sort of distance had the steamers been all present and correct. I had a terrific day on what is undoubtedly a very impressive and warm hearted railway. Particular praise to the catering crew on each of the class 50 hauled sets: a charming young lady and a friendly, hardworking gentleman respectively. I've no idea if they are volunteers or staff, but by gum they are both outstanding ambassadors for the SVR.
What I was wondering, and this is not mischief making, is whether today's Plan B had any impact on ticket and other sales? I would imagine that some punters walked away rather than ride behind a diesel, while others were present specifically because of the diesels... but the key word there is 'imagine.'

 

It will be interesting to see the state of play next weekend when (presumably...) the Bridgnorth works are open to visitors during the "Peep behind the scenes" event. In some respects I suppose they could do without being open to the public if they are trying to get some of the steam fleet back up and running.

I must admit I always find the Bridgnorth works a rather depressing and desolate-feeling place, but thats just my opinion.

Last year for this event the boiler shop was out of bounds, we will have to see if that is the case this year also. Maybe last year there was an issue due to the serious break-in that had taken place. That apart, this weekend ( July 21st and 22nd) offers plenty too see at Kidderminster, Bewdley and Bridgnorth, including the restoration of 4150 at Bewdley, and the construction of 82045 at Bridgnorth, along with visits to loco and carriage works and signalboxes etc. The "C" timetable on both days allows scope to visit all locations on a round-trip "break of journey" basis.Well worth a visit, and normal fares apply. Wristband for admission to the various venues is £5, £3 concessions. The event is organised by the 4150 fund in conjunction with Heritage Railway Magazine.


I see that the 10-35 departure from Kidderminster is billed for diesel haulage. Lets hope the "steam" situation has improved such that what is the main Kidderminster morning departure can in fact revert to steam haulage.

 

Double posting

 

[/QUOTE]

I hope you won`t find the works rather depressing this year....The 82045 team will be in the machine shop with the sales stand. Come and have a chat - perhaps we can enroll you again!

I am told that the 10.35 departure from Kidderminster is always a diesel. ??

Sorry I messed up the quotes on this posting. I`ll get my `L` plates.

 

It's very true that Peep does not help the productivity of the works, but there's little doubt that opening our doors raises interest, awareness and money. I feel it is something of a necessary evil (maybe evil isn't the right word..I personally quite like having a chat with folks walking around our kingdom!).

The boiler shop will once again be out of bounds, and I would be surprised to see it opened to the public again in the future, unless metal theft ceases to be a threat. The break in created, or rather brought to light issues that now have to be taken into consideration. Of course the railway realises that 99.9% of people that come round really are genuinely interested, but there always seems to be one or two suspicious occurrences, especially at events like Peep, that put us on edge.
Even without the boiler shop BH works is well worth a look around. There is currently the rather sad sight of 5164 up on the jacks sans wheels along with progress to view on the frames of 813, 34027, Dunrobin and the accelerating dismantling of 7714. Plus of course, next week there will be a shiny 1501 for everyone to oggle (it's worth a drool or two!). I'd also recommend a visit to C&W at Bewdley and Kiddy... those lads do some fantastic work which i person
nally feel is undersold by the SVR.

Fingers crossed next weekend will only feature the one, advertised, diesel diagram, although I did enjoy seeing D1062 out today. 4566 and 42968 were being worked on today whilst we prepped 28's frames for the boiler's return this week.

 

Volunteers, just like the vast majority of staff you see on a day. The buffet/restaurants at kiddy, bewdley, the engine house and bridgnorth as well as gift shops staff are paid staff, but that still leaves the booking office, station staff, train crew, engine crew and signalmen as volunteers.