West Somerset Railway General Discussion

West Somerset Railway - Then and Now #149

Dunster 1976 / 2017

Another opening day shot, this time at Dunster.

Given today’s unsettling WSR news, an inspiring project to bring the Railway together is needed all the more.

Copyright Chris Osment / Robin White

1976


2017

 

This could all have been forseen, if the right questions had been asked.
As foal says "reform is in the air."
Is a charitable trust needed to steady the ship?

 

A number of significant WSR personalities are getting together out of the limelight to ‘steady the ship’. Don’t expect public statements while this occurs.

One person’s crisis is, viewed differently, an opportunity.

Robin

 

Perhaps the people at Foxcote Manor Society could do an article on their loco ?

 

In my opinion the resignations are a real pity because as is well known for the railway to prosper further some changes and new forward thinking is needed in order to make our great railway even greater and of course more secure in the future as the world changes around it, I say that of course whilst not trying to diminish the great efforts made by people in making the WSR what it is today. Having heard what Alan had said at the recent stake holders meeting I had honestly felt Alan had this clearly in his sights and was making the right moves. Let’s hope that his vision has not caused this and the progress of this reform is not pushed aside as the board moves forward.

 

Hopefully, not by another "reform group" which might cause existing, long standing supporters to go elsewhere.

 

Had certain individuals outside of the 6+1 not briefed against the Reform Group then it would all have ended 18 months earlier as the first ballot would have gone the right way. Just think how much cost and wasted effort that would have saved, not forgetting the loss of shares in 4160 and other actionable "incidents".

 

Not again.

 

Maybe the new regime are concentrating on producing a truthful , honest Journal rather trying to win prizes .

Paul . K

 

For members who are interested in the Infrastructure Engineering side there is a facebook page for some information on what has happened https://www.facebook.com/WSRInfra/

 

On a hopefully lighter note, yet again I possibly have the chance to visit the railway this Sunday and as I have the memory of a goldfish, could somebody please re-tell where is that I can enjoy a real Somerset cream tea.
Cheers
Chris

 

Good to see.
And on a viewable FB site as well.

 

What evidence do you have that this was the case? My impression was that the ex6+1 were so entrenched that many members simply did not believe that they were are as bad as they were.

 

Better to avoid pointless ill-informed speculation at this time.

 

Only Santa trains running this time of year - so no cream teas.

Ordinary public trains resume briefly after Xmas until New Year and refreshments available at Stogumber Then.

Robin

 

A number of folk who swung behind the ultimately successful vote to rid us of the X6 have told me that the briefing against a positive vote by two folk who like now to be seen as 'heroes of the revolution' is what caused them to vote against the motion at EGM1 or to abstain. One has to be cautious about an element of 'cheering the winners' but given the closeness of the vote at EGM1, I believe it made a difference. Certainly in the hours and hours of work put in to make the ultimate vote a success, that comment came up repeatedly from folk I, and others, spoke to.

The moral of the story is that in the (hopefully short) period of uncertainty the Railway now faces, wide support for the way forward is vital.

Robin

 

Must admit even now I have difficulty believing how bad they were . I mean how could they have possibly believed that they would get away with it ?

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but as I see it the only time the Reform Group got an honest result in all the voting was when the H.R.A got involved .

Paul . K