West Somerset Railway General Discussion

"...I enter into a deal with a Beefeater at the Tower to buy some jewellery which is kept in a glass case..."

Not a good analogy. In English law, you cannot pass on a better title than you have yourself. Therefore, if the goods are stolen they remain stolen and remain the property of their owner, regardless of whether you bought them in good faith.

Robin L.

 

WSR website down, issue or offline until a new website?

 

Working fine for me: http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/

Looks all new and rather good. Nice video on home page,also good to see QB featured.

 

I think that the WSRA 4160 Ltd shares being considered to have been stolen is the wrong approach

However there would appear to be a whole range of alternative ways of looking at the sale of the shares which could have a far reaching impact on those involved.

Andy Aberdare is quite right to say we all could have to what a long time to read the final chapter meanwhile 4160 its self is undergoing overhaul and no doubt will be seeking funding to complete this and then future work on heritage railways.

A lot angles to this matter most of which would be resolved with minimal expense by the voluntary return of the shares.

Will this run on for months or years, we shall just have to be patient.

Jeff

 

Messrs Tracker and Price

This is why I said "Setting aside all sorts of debate about receiving stolen goods".

Ok, perhaps it wasn't the perfect analogy. In hindsight, perhaps I should have used an example such as a demented old aunt selling her land for a fiver to stop the pixies taking over. The more I think about that one, the more apt it appears.

 

Only if the demented old aunt had a penchant for colourful dressing gowns...

Robin

 

Are we heading towards Wizards and Freemasons here ???

J

 

My thought is that because of the recent shenanigans 4160 might be regarded with suspicion and/or be perceived as carrying a reputational risk so its future might not be as rosy as those who have taken control of the company would wish

 

Congratulations to all involved with the new WSR website. A great improvement and a good start to a potentially great year.
http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/

 

Wonder where you got the idea for the smiley family from? Seriously it looks good

 

Spring in West Somerset can't be too far away. Sunshine, snowdrops and the first DMU movement of the season passing Stogumber.

 

Nice New website.

 

Unfortunately, I don't think there is that much solidarity in the preservation world. A line somewhere will be only too happy to take it on, and maybe even contribute to its overhaul in return for free mileage.

 

Solidarity? Self-interest is likely to produce the same result.

Andy @Aberdare has twitched aside the curtain on the mire of potential litigation. What Railway (call it, say, 'L') would put its money into 4160 when the risk is that 'A' and 'B' will have their shares (and so Directorships) removed from them and the legitimacy of any arrangement with Railway 'L' called into question.....

Robin

 

One factor regarding the future of 4160 could be which version of events, i.e. this thread or the WSRA History web site a heritage railway, short of loco haulage, might believe.

 

No doubt the WSRA would be prepared to show such a Railway all the relevant paperwork.

If they were considering making a substantial investment, they would be wise to ask.

Robin

 

Don't be too sure. I have it on good authority that the EX6+1 investigated the possibility of moving their allegiance and rolling stock to another line. Their approaches were met with hysterical laughter.

 

Conceivably they asked the wrong line at the wrong time though. It's fairly easy to turn down a possibly contentious out of traffic loco when you know all it is going to do is take up siding space and not be available for pulling trains; it might be much harder for another line to turn down once it is available for service if at that time they approach a line that is in need of a loco there and then.

Tom

 

I suspect that a long term arrangement could be regarded as unwise on the other hand a few months hire agreement would carry less risk.

I am not sure of the legal position but I would have thought that whatever happened work done would have to be paid for.

 

I agree with your analysis.

My (informed) guess is that, even after selling the 09 which resides at Bishops Lydeard, 4160 Ltd will be around £100,000 short of the funds required for the loco's overhaul.

This represents several years' advance hire, so a substantial investment to get the loco back in traffic.

Only the major heritage Railways will be in that sort of market, and the major Railways will be in no doubt as to the status of 4160 and its directors and most unlikely to want to step into the potential legal mire, IMHO.

Time will indeed tell.

Robin