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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by gwr4090, Nov 15, 2007.

  1. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

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    We are about as far ‘off thread’ as it is possible to get, but the comments have had me awakening grey cells long dormant.

    Part of being able to ‘fit in’ successfully in Eastern Europe was to know the history taught to every schoolchild. The ‘Great October Socialist Revolution’ of 1917 was up there.

    It always tickled me that in the modern calendar it happened in ... November. Hence cynical jokes about state or party arranged matters being a month late. Not to ‘get’ such a joke could be...er...most unfortunate.

    Robin
     
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  2. Dennis John Brooks

    Dennis John Brooks Member

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    I think it would make a good headquarters for the railway, I believe they are renting accommodation in Minehead.

    DJB.
     
  3. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

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    Hmm.

    Hence my comment about one of the Charities taking ownership.

    The House is, in its own right, an artefact of much greater importance than the Minehead Signal Box Plate recently acquired. It is a Station Master’s House. Given that I am not offering mine at Stogumber for museum purposes (!) there is significant heritage potential to be exploited.

    At present the WSR plc and the Railway in general has much to prove in moving away from the ‘portacabin cities’ that marr some of our most prominent locations.

    Must try harder.

    Robin
     
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  4. aldfort

    aldfort Well-Known Member

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    AFAIK the BL Station masters house has a sitting tenant. Given the season of the year perhaps we could all stop the public speculation about this families home.
     
  5. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

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    Mike

    The family are well aware of what transfer might mean in the longer term. And also aware that it will be the longer term. They also have the security of their lease which has been novated.

    Inevitable that such news will give rise to discussion, isn’t it? Especially as the purchase announcement very specifically encourages help with purchase through share buying and the like.

    Robin
     
  6. Ian Monkton

    Ian Monkton Member

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    Then the railway would be able to run a morning DMU from Minehead to transport the staff, and back in the evening - but don't tell the Minehead Chamber of Commerce or they will want it extended to Taunton!
     
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  7. Bean-counter

    Bean-counter Part of the furniture

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    If volunteer accommodation is seen as a barrier to increasing volunteer numbers, then a business case could be made for using the property as such accommodation by projecting the number and value of additional volunteer days having such a facility available would generate. I have done this successfully in the past!

    Although to the 'outsider' it reads as if something key is missing, I gather that WSRplc has purchased the Station Masters house at BL on a loan - can I say congratulations for having the courage to do this, no doubt against at least some naysayers who will see the very existence of a loan as a sure sign of impending financial doom!

    Steven
     
  8. [​IMG]

    Good comms from the Plc recently!

    Steve
     
  9. Colin Allcars

    Colin Allcars Member

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    Yes, Steve. I have seen the latest news item on your website.

    (Woot, woot, as my daughters used to say).
     
  10. Kengo

    Kengo New Member

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    The current Southern end caters for 7 to 8 persons sleeping there. I can't see the SM House providing quality of the standard at Minehead for that number.
     
  11. Snifter

    Snifter Well-Known Member

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    Good news on lineside passes. I made the point many months ago that while the revenue was small, it is almost 100% margin. Furthermore, withdrawal would only result in the activity having no control whatsoever.
     
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  12. Yorkshireman

    Yorkshireman Part of the furniture

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    Spasibo!;)
     
  13. aldfort

    aldfort Well-Known Member

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    I am pleased to hear that this is all for the longer term. I was struggling to reconcile apparently conflicting information (not all news appears on NP first).
     
  14. Let's hope the Partnership Development Group gets back underway soon. Then, developments such as this purchase, and the purpose/future plans, will be known to the partner organisations in good time and will not be a surprise.

    Steve
     
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  15. Yorkshireman

    Yorkshireman Part of the furniture

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    Good to see that S & D lease on Washford Station has been extended. It is always a pleasure to see how well they keep the site.
     
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  16. Captain Fantastic

    Captain Fantastic Member

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    Totally agree with that, easily the cleanest yard on the line
     
  17. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    The loco roster page refers to a DMU being rostered in the post Christmas Steam Festival although the web page for the event still refers to all steam. Anyone know which is correct?
     
  18. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

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    DMU. 89’s gone ‘tech’.

    Robin
     
  19. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    Thanks Robin
     
  20. I gather the official webpage awaits updating. I also understand an official statement is imminent.

    Steve
     

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