MellishR's Recent Activity
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MellishR liked ghost's post in the thread P2 Locomotive Company and related matters.
We’re into fantasy land now. Let’s stick to the P2 on this thread.
May 23, 2026 at 9:54 PM -
MellishR liked Deepgreen's post in the thread RTC Atlantic Coast Express - 23/05/26.
For a moment I read "WC crew" as 'West Country crew' - i.e. only used to light pacifics!
May 23, 2026 at 9:44 PM -
MellishR liked ChuffChuff's post in the thread Dean Forest Railway.
Let's pretend that the new owner restores Warrior, runs it at the Dean Forest for - say - 2 years, and then takes it away. I'd argue this is better for the Dean Forest than having it remain in bits in assorted bushes. And it's certainly better...
May 23, 2026 at 5:20 PM -
MellishR liked flying scotsman123's post in the thread SVR General Discussion.
Leaving aside the commercial side for a moment, which I agree makes it seem unlikely, the closest parallel to demonstrate it ought to be technically possible would I suppose be the SWR service to Corfe Castle over Swanage metals. Presumably there...
May 23, 2026 at 5:18 PM -
MellishR liked Jamessquared's post in the thread SVR General Discussion.
Leaving aside the technical details, my hunch is you might end up in the situation where on days when there is demand for such a service, there is no capacity; and on days where there is capacity, there is no demand! Tom
May 22, 2026 at 3:15 PM -
MellishR liked acorb's post in the thread SVR General Discussion.
Quite possibly, but we have seen mainline TOC units run to Bishops Lydeard, Swanage and Okehampton - these things aren't impossible. Do we have any SVR drivers who also drive for WMT? As I said, I think a regular service is highly unlikely due to...
May 22, 2026 at 3:07 PM -
MellishR liked acorb's post in the thread SVR General Discussion.
Quite a lot to unpick here, but I think you are well and truly running away with what is being proposed. Nowhere is it being suggested that Kidderminster to Bewdley is adopted as part of the national network! What is being proposed is that...
May 22, 2026 at 3:06 PM -
MellishR liked Kirk Oswald's post in the thread West Somerset Railway General Discussion.
The point you m The point about not responding on social media is reasonable, except when significant staff numbers are specifically employed in PR roles. Employing 17 salaried non-comunicators isn't a sensible use of funds. The WSR has lost...
May 22, 2026 at 12:04 PM -
MellishR liked ghost's post in the thread West Somerset Railway General Discussion.
So whenever the quantity of paid staff on the NYMR is raised, your first line of defence is to talk about the cost of volunteers and how difficult they are to manage. Never the positives of volunteers. Who said anything about Nat-pres? As Pete...
May 22, 2026 at 12:03 PM -
MellishR liked Pete Thornhill's post in the thread West Somerset Railway General Discussion.
Facts about what? John, with respect, If we are talking about that awards ceremony, it’s all there in black and white on their website. I’m not continuing this conversation here other than to say if those assumptions aren’t correct then why...
May 22, 2026 at 12:02 PM -
MellishR liked Lineisclear's post in the thread West Somerset Railway General Discussion.
Self evidently true. However volunteering is in decline across all sectors. Compliance with regulations that were never imagined when many heritage lines got going ,along with the need to demonstrate assured competence, have increased the...
May 22, 2026 at 11:59 AM -
MellishR liked 35B's post in the thread West Somerset Railway General Discussion.
I completely agree. But (and this is only slightly related to the WSR), the success of such appeals will depend heavily upon the credibility of the organisation’s leadership. Trust in the ability of that leadership to a) use the funds well and b)...
May 22, 2026 at 11:58 AM -
MellishR liked flying scotsman123's post in the thread West Somerset Railway General Discussion.
Absolutely, which is why I'd be trying quite hard to figure out how to negotiate the "laberynth of charity law" as Michael puts it (I've never found it that hard personally). Not only for the extra gift aid, but also the increased security to...
May 22, 2026 at 11:58 AM -
MellishR liked Barrie Childs's post in the thread West Somerset Railway General Discussion.
I believe that financially supporting WSR plc-owned locomotive and carriage restoration meets WSRA's charitable aims BUT given that WSRA is in the locomotive and carriage owning business, with very significant restoration expense required now and...
May 22, 2026 at 11:55 AM -
MellishR liked 62440's post in the thread West Somerset Railway General Discussion.
I may be wrong but wasn’t the S&D Trust basically a tenant of the WSR but NOT a supporting organisation? If that was the case, I agree it’s not a good exemplar. Happy to be corrected.
May 22, 2026 at 11:55 AM
