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Teifi Valley Railway

Discussion in 'Narrow Gauge Railways' started by Anthony Coulls, Jun 22, 2014.

  1. ross

    ross Well-Known Member

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    I know that equipment is quite hard to come by these days, and it would be a tragedy if either of these locomotives were lost. I understand people's concern, but the TVR lives yet. Try not to sound like vultures waiting waiting waiting
     
    Last edited: Aug 24, 2018
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  2. ross

    ross Well-Known Member

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    Sorry, forgot the smile:)
     
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  3. Elizabeth Perry

    Elizabeth Perry Member

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    Re: Brecon - Tony Hill hated volunteers, thought they were a nuisance, and abolished the Society. He was a professional engineer and expected everyone elae to be professional. After the TVR collapse I went to see him in the hope he could take over at Henllan. But unfortunately he was already in poor health and although sympathetic, could not consider it.
    Alan George: I have Roger Penn's contact details if anyone wants them.
     
  4. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Morning all

    Quick update on Dave James . Still recuperating following the fall/operation but seems to be ok
     
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  5. Elizabeth Perry

    Elizabeth Perry Member

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    At the end of another season: contrasts between 2010 and the present day. What once was a railway, now ... oldTVR.jpg newTVR.jpg newTVR.jpg
     
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  6. MrC

    MrC New Member

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    Good to see they are still going.
     
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  7. pete2hogs

    pete2hogs Member

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  8. MrC

    MrC New Member

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    Maybe it is to show that it has become a family attraction, appealing to all ages and genders rather than us sad old train fans, to expand its visitor base?
     
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  9. MattA

    MattA Member

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    The same was posted to a FB group earlier. A current volunteer has since uploaded an excellent photo gallery of the Teifi Valley's goings-on this year to the same group: Alan George has been in steam over the 2/3 mile track they have at the moment, lower-end progress has been made with Sgt. Murphy, various pictures of general maintenance and the tracklaying that has been taking place. The minature gauge 'Pixie Line' has also been operating. Overall looks good with visible progress!
     
  10. ross

    ross Well-Known Member

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    I think the point is that the lady has had her heart broken through all the shenanigans over the past few years. Yes, they are trying to bring it back from the brink, but there's a long way to go. I wish the current crew every possible success, but I do feel for Ms Perry
     
  11. MartinBall

    MartinBall Guest

    The point is, that today the only passengers they get are teddy bears. Mind you, the teddies do seem to be enjoying themselves! :Panda:
     
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  12. Elizabeth Perry

    Elizabeth Perry Member

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    Thanks Ross. The most disturbing thing is that any post I put on FB about the TVR evokes a stream of abuse- it seems I am the one to blame for all the disasters.
     
  13. MuzTrem

    MuzTrem Member

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    Sorry, but I'm afraid I have less sympathy than Ross. You are the one who keeps bringing this subject up, and making snide remarks - or at least, that how they come across - about the new regime at the TVR, without any prompting. It is only natural that this will get people's backs up.

    I am trying to give you the benefit of the doubt; as Ross says, it is easy to see how your situation has left you feeling angry and disappointed. But I really don't feel that public forums are the right place to vent such frustrations. As I have argued before, railways all have their share of dirty laundry but it is usually better to avoid airing it publicly. I suspect you would probably attract more sympathy if you maintained a dignified silence; perhaps in twenty years or so, when a little more water has passed under the bridge, then it will be time to publish your memoirs and set out your side of the story.
     
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  14. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Indeed, it’s easy to point out “shortcomings” with the current set up but let’s not forget that without them there would be nothing left at all.
     
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  15. SpudUk

    SpudUk Well-Known Member

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    This may have been covered elsewhere, but who actually owns Sgt Murphy?
     
  16. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    The Teifi society itself along with most of the rolling stock.
    Alan George is owned by a consortium of members rather than the society though.
     
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  17. Elizabeth Perry

    Elizabeth Perry Member

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    Difficult to find out how things are going, since the Accounts are late again - as they have been since 2014.
     
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  18. MattA

    MattA Member

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    I can't help but get the impression that somebody here has an axe to grind...

    A quick 2 minutes of internet research tells me that, although the situation is still far from perfect, the TVR is still operating not only the 2ft gauge railway but also their miniature railway and other family-friendly activities, they're slowly replacing track where it was lifted, and some extremely positive TripAdvisor reviews continue to flow in.

    That said, the visitor reviews also acknowledge that the railway is doing what it can with extremely limited funding.

    Back to this thread, perhaps instead of saying woe betide the good-intentioned volunteers for maybe having very little money, maybe pay them a visit, see what they're doing and spend a little money to help them along?
     
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  19. Elizabeth Perry

    Elizabeth Perry Member

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    Perhaps you should read up a little history of the TVR. Try the Wikipedia entry for a start. The Emlyn branch line was bought from BR by a small group of people funded by public donations, The Company was set up as a co-operative so that no individual should benefit from it financially. Over 20 years its extensions were funded by grants. The recession hit tourist attractions hard and local support dwindled. Frustrated, one of the Company directors tried to run the railway as a "hardhearted commercial business" and handed it over to a local businessman who turned out to be less than honest. In 2014 he gave up and the railway was left to pick over the ruins. A previous general manager took the opportunity to take over the railway himself and rejects help and advice from any previous directors.
     
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  20. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    You blame one director but the board voted for the local businessman takeover.

    Maybe that is why they feel they don’t need your advice or help? As an outsider, I could understand that reluctance given the state that board of directors left the railway in.

    Having seen for myself, they were left with not a lot and funding is difficult due to the same board that won the funding in the first place allowing the railway to get in the position that the local businessman was able to lift the track - they cannot get more funding for something they essentially already had funding for. I’d call it reckless to let the railway and company get to this situation and I think that given the limitations on funding, those who are trying to rebuild the railway from the mess that was left should actually be applauded rather than attempting to shoot them down at every opportunity.
     
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