West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I remember that, when it was due an overhaul on the WSR, it was deemed to be in too bad a way to be considered viable, so it was a big surprise to hear of West Coast buying it and overhauling it to run on the mainline at speeds of 90mph+!

 

Which as I have previously mention on this thread and elsewhere, is pretty well the only place that the likes of the National Lottery and other grant givers will fund "new build". As any such building will save, protect and extend the life of rolling stock. By as you say reducing the maintenance and refurbishment costs. The killer of course being to find land adjacent to the Railway, which in turn the landowner is prepared to sell and the Authorities to allow [i.e planning permission etc] the building of a storage/maintenance shed.

 

Other bodies - the NYMR being one I know of - have considered this building and concluded that a new build would be better. It has a lot of roads (8 iirc) but they are short - 1-1/2 to 2 coaches long, so is really only suitable as a workshop with four alternate roads left unused to leave space to work. Idon't think this is what the WSR is looking for at this time. I'm sure it could make good use of it, but what is the priority at this time - workshop or storage space?

 

Interesting observation. However, when the dispute between the PLC and the WSRA over who could get the track bed freehold was being discussed here a few moons ago - one of the concerns was that if one party was to gain the freehold, then land could have been sold off for caravans, golf courses and all manner of things. If that is so, then available land must be there somewhere.

 

Both the SVR’s carriage shed and diesel depot were new build. When the latter was in the planning stages in 2009, the project manager reported that “A plan was evolved many years ago to re-erect the former Burton-upon-Trent Diesel Depot at Kidderminster, but unfortunately, due to changes to current design codes and building regulations, the cost of installation would have been more than the cost of erecting new steelwork.”

 

That though is down to internal "Bickering" between on paper at least two parties involved with the running of the same organization. Looking at your location, I take it your based in the U.S.of A. [not that I'm criticizing by the way], as things stand here Charitable Trusts in the UK, on paper at least shouldn't be seen to Sully their hands with the "Dirty Business" of making money, especially when you see the multi million pound turn over/profits involved. Hence many set up subsidiary PLCs to run "the Company". Any profits generated then being paid over to the Charitable Trust, granted it can be and is a decidedly Grey area [with multiple shades there of......]

 

Some landowners may refuse to sell whilst others will want too much money. The only solution is patience, often over many years, sometimes with death and inheritance leading to eventual resolution of the situation. I know of two lines, there are very likely more, who started as poverty stricken leaseholders of sites without space for carriage sheds and progressed to freehold without debt over a period. During this time land was acquired, often piecemeal, for buildings such as carriage sheds which are now in existence.

Frankly, such a process could have started on the WSR twenty or more years ago or was factionism starting even then?

 

Land for a carriage shed is already in WSR ownership on the Station Farm site at Bishops Lydeard.

 

One of several projects that need serious funding to be raised. This is an area long neglected by the WSR but AIUI this wiill shortly be put in hand..

 

No Heritage Lottery application then or was it difficult to determine which body should make the approach?

 

Is access to BL station allowed 2moro late afternoon to see 6233?

 

Looks like the first Minehead departure today will be diesel-hauled.

Hymek D7017 just entered Blue Anchor station on the down line.

 

as per roster

 

Agreed. I only posted because the unofficial website suggested that the 10.05 Minehead service was expected to be steam powered.

 

yes some people will be disappointed I am sure

 

oh dear now I see the first one off BL is diesel as well so first two off Minehead no steam.

 

Both service trains diesel as 53808 is required for todays charter and 7828 for the QB.
D7017 starting Minehead and D6566 starting Bishops Lydeard.

 

Correct. What is more there were many who registered concerns in the past,

I have at times received less than plaudits on this website for expressing concerns.

Whilst harking back is not particularly helpful one can at least endeavour not to repeat past
lapses.

I ( it was at a PLC AGM held in the Regal Minehead ) remember questioning the then Chairman a decade past, as to the disproportionate increase in overheads, specifically
salaries vs growth in net earnings. The reply was polite but dismissive, similarly at subsequent AGMs to the succeeding Chair.

Many of us have during this period expressed concerns at the low level of capital
investment, similarly the not unrelated level of fund raising. On this website postings
Nos. 4834 & 4855.

More recently ( ten months past) a detailed note to the then Chair w.r.t. earnings
below budget and a consequent potential disastrous fall in cash elicited the response
to the effect that necessary steps were underway.

I like many others wish the current Board well. I recognise 'we are where we are' and
the 'past is the past' but ignore recent happenings at your peril. IMHO there is one
overreaching priority; ensure there are sufficient funds to cover the 2020 winter shut and
commence the 2020 spring services with as a minimum a cash neutral position.

Michael Rowe

 

6233 off at Norton triangle. WSR 7F takes over. Does duchess then move to BL light engine and what time please.

 

See my reply to the same question on the Great Britain thread!