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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

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

  1. Forestpines

    Forestpines Well-Known Member

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    At one time he held the record for fastest traversal of the entire Underground, but I think he's given that up now that you need to be a decent runner to have a chance of setting a new record
     
  2. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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    I quoted the incorrect post in my earlier rely. Now updated:
    Not really, but some of us were in those areas - and others similar - and had first hand experience of it all. Don't remember hearing any music then. :D
    Don't worry Colin, someone is bound to make it four! Part of this thread
     
  3. snappertim

    snappertim New Member

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    Took the 11.00 BL-MD service yesterday, which was packed ! Great run behind 7F and the views of the lovely Somerset countryside were fantastic through crystal clear windows. The newly [?] formed cleaning team have done a great job!

    One swallow doesn't makes a summer but...…………………………………….
     
  4. 6960 Raveningham Hall

    6960 Raveningham Hall Member Friend

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    Yes, I posted on 12th August, while waiting for my BL service to leave Minehead, a young member of staff was washing carriage windows.

    I had never seen that before, windows being washed between services, but the following day it happened again, this time with two staff members doing a very thorough job.

    Another example of the Railway thriving to maintain its standards.
     
  5. aldfort

    aldfort Well-Known Member

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    Basically a group of railway folks just decided to get it done. It does happen quite a lot that staff and volunteers see a small need and simply figure out how to fill it. I see that as an organisational strength and it's evident in a lot of departments.
    It also harks back to something the railways have promoted in the past. Some of you will be familiar with the training films of old, now a part of the BTF collection. In the films about track maintenance there is a clear caption that encourages staff to think of better ways of getting the job done. I love those films and they still offer a lot of learning points on todays heritage railway.
     
  6. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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    Good, so it should be. Maybe those videos, with or without music, have been watched. :D
     
  7. D1039

    D1039 Guest

    There was an RAIB(?) report about the Tottenham OLE maintenance gang who IIRC developed ways of getting the job done, but which resulted in the overhead line falling below the minimum height when the catenary tilted. How organisations balance encouraging staff to think of better ways of getting the job done with the need to stick to standards is one of the many things I'm glad someone else has to think about.

    Patrick
     
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  8. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    That's one interpretation of that report; my recollection is that there were also issues of short staffing and an approach to standards that was, shall we say, not the most rigorous. As you say, though, it's no bad thing that others have to manage that conundrum - especially on the preservationist's shoestring.
     
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  9. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    Yes; remember we are in England. The WSR, as is, is as good as it gets, and we won't get a second chance if it fails.
     
  10. Triumph 2500S

    Triumph 2500S Well-Known Member

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    A very persuasive statement designed to ensure that we all voted for the change in year end at the EGM but I am surprised it has not been followed up with a determined fund raising appeal.
     
  11. Triumph 2500S

    Triumph 2500S Well-Known Member

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    That said many local traders have climbed off the back of the success of the railway and it is a fact that accommodation locally would be significantly lower had there not been a West Somerset Railway!

    and as I have said before Minehead was singularly disinterested in the early days and all of us travelled there to reopen the line Steve Martin was the only Minehead volunteer at that time - if there were others I did not meet them on my fortnightly visits from Hertfordshire.
     
  12. Triumph 2500S

    Triumph 2500S Well-Known Member

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    Heaven forbid - that happened on the Luton to Dunstable line which cost £85m and is of questionable benefit. Up to the age of eight it ran past my back garden.
     
  13. nine elms fan

    nine elms fan Part of the furniture

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    The happened to the Cambridge to St Ives line, someone made a lot of money out of it, the cost quadrupled in price, for a service which is now third rate.
     
  14. DragonHandler

    DragonHandler Well-Known Member

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    https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/railrenewal2019
     
  15. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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    As with many seaside towns, which expanded due to the arrival of a railway, it is highly reliant on tourism. Still an Edwardian place it seems, like many others in the south west, tourism has been the main focus to the detriment, quite often, of other forms of employment. This year, apparently, given the good weather and lower value of our currency, has meant that tourist areas have - or should have - benefited. Tourist amenities and locations that have not benefited need to scrutinise why they have not.
     
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  16. Jim O'Brien

    Jim O'Brien New Member

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    With suitable vintage buses of course, running under the Crosville name and colours?
     
  17. Triumph 2500S

    Triumph 2500S Well-Known Member

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  18. Triumph 2500S

    Triumph 2500S Well-Known Member

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    Yes just like the Luton Dunstable Unaccountable Mandarins spending money like it were out of fashion - our money

    Don't forget Crossrail and HS2!!
     
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  19. LC2

    LC2 Member

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    What about crossrail?
    It's a bit late and gone over budget, but what major infrastructure doesn't?

    And it's certainly needed...
     
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  20. mvpeters

    mvpeters Member

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    62 so far

    Items like this appeal & the YT video need to be pinned to stay at the top of landing pages on web sites & social media.
    Otherwise, they scroll down & get lost as new news arrives.
     

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