WSR Mixed Traction Weekend 10-12 June 2016

Be nice to know if everything else that's been said so far has been taken in, takes more then just another loco , even if this is a small way to getting things sorted.

 

Sounds like a p*ss take to me, diesels have as much right to run on the line as steam, you want steam only go to Dartmouth or what ever their name is this year,

 

The fact that even the Bluebell can manage a Diesel Gala with no Steam diagram with the attitude they have to smelly boxes i cant see the reasoning behind a steam diagram "because people expect to have one" the majority of the normal public if they were planning a day out on any pres line would check before they turn up prices/times etc. so you could make it clear its a diesel gala so they either turn up anyway or just go on a different day it really isnt insurmountable

 

How do the costs compare of running the WSR DMU compared with running the same service with a 'Home Fleet' Diesel & coaches?

 

I'm not sure I understand the formulation about 'rights'. Locomotives (of any persuasion) weren't covered last time I looked at the Equality Or Human Rights Acts.

What I think the Mid Norfolk (and other lines) understand is that generally, the general public will be attracted more by a steam train ride than a diesel. And, to survive, by paying the bills for the year, a heritage line will have to be predominantly steam to attract the general public in sufficient numbers.

That said, virtually all railways of significance recognise that there is a (limited and specialist) market for diesel enthusiasts, whose 'requirements' for an attractive weekend are different from other groups.

And if there is any doubt that I, personally, am sensitive to that sector of the market, do glance in the direction of Swanage signal box late turn any day during their upcoming diesel gala.....

Robin

 

I can't put forward any monetary figures but will just say that the DMU belongs to the WSR PLC so will cost them nothing in hire fees, whereas a diesel loco will have to be hired from the DEPG.

 

I deserve more than a biscuit after reading the inane posts from the usual few regarding the Mixed Traction Weekend. <BJ>

 

I do understand the point about 'just' * trotting out the usual fleet not being attractive to bring a large body of folk to the WSR from around the country.

It is just that that point has been made rather unattractive lay (and so unpersuasively) by some.

Robin

* I know how much effort is put into the WSR diesel fleet by the DEPG and others and would not want to be seen to be denigrating their efforts. Some attractive visitors (locos, not passengers) would serve to increase the attendance and so the appreciation the home fleet would get as well.

 

On the other hand, the cost of maintenance of the DMU has to be borne by the plc, so there is still a cost over and above the direct running costs- it is just a bit less explicit than for a loco that had been hired in.

Tom

 

The only absolute certainty in running a heritage railway is that you have to cover your costs over the long term. A lot of the really big eye watering costs are keeping the infrastructure maintained: repairing the P/way or keeping the stations watertight and painted is the same regardless of what motive power is running on them. The costs of keeping carriages maintained is also independent of haulage. So the duty of the management of the railway is do the best they can to maximise revenue to cover those essentially fixed costs, as they see fit with the experience and knowledge they have about their market. There is no absolute duty to put on events to cater for particular groups of enthusiasts - to make sense, they need to lead to an upswing in net revenue over and above a normal running day once those fixed costs have been properly accounted for.

Tom

 

In theory the next generation of retired people step in. There are a number of young people (in their 20s) volunteering on the WSR so they would have replaced the people who were 60 odd in 1976 (and most if not all are not with us anymore).

 

I would think so. If they were just 60 years old in 1976 they would be 100 years old now.

The point I was trying to make was that when a person (men in this example) retired at 65 they were fit, able and had the time to volunteer. In the near future the age that the State Pension is paid will be at 66 years old initially, then at 67, then at 68 .....and so on. The general public will have to work to a later age and will not have as much spare time on their hands.

If you estimate the number of volunteers at the WSR who are between 65 and 70 years of age this may give an indication of how many people would be affected. <BJ>

 

Well the mid hants had a gala with 100% Diesel none of this mixed traffic nonsense, because they have organizers who have a clue, The loonies in charge of wsr events could learn alot from The Mid hants,Swanage,Severn Valley,South Devon, to mention but a few, but with headed buried so deep in the sand they've hit china, they won't .
They have to have mixed traffic cause the steams the only reason the numbers stay up cause they have alliterated all the diesel enthusiasts.

maybe stupidly I'm thinking of coming down for 832 next weekend on the usual load 3 I guess,

 

The same 'loonies' who organised potentially the best S&D Gala ever seen?

We know (and have some sympathy for) the view that the approach taken to the WSR diesel Gala is not what the wider diesel enthusiast fraternity would like to see, but I have to ask, is your intention:

(1) to be gratuitously offensive, or

(2) to persude others to your view?

You are achieving (1) magnificently, but wouldn't (2) be more satisfying?

Yours, mystified

Robin White

 

Those still attending must be eager enthusiasts enjoying elderly evergreen engines?

Tom

 

Or

Disrespectful diesel devotee damages detente?

Robin

 

I know that this will not change a great deal for you, but a set of 4 coaches was moved to BL last week for D832 next weekend. If you don't want to travel/photograph D832 on 4 coaches then don't come!

 

hear hear.best he stays away so the people within earshot don't have to put up with his continual moaning.

 

Really looking forward to Saturday, first ride behind D832 and get to use newly acquired local residents discount card.

 

The loco had a check over at the weekend and all appeared OK.

I shall be there. If it's raining I'll be enjoying the thrash ....sorry, the sound. If it's sunny I'll be filming. <BJ>