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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

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

  1. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    While I guess discussion of employment law has its devotees, we should probably remember that it is individual people's livelihoods that are being discussed.

    Tom
     
  2. Roger Thompson

    Roger Thompson Member

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  3. Downline

    Downline New Member

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    flying scotsman123 likes this.
  4. 6960 Raveningham Hall

    6960 Raveningham Hall Member Friend

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    I was reading the latest posts and thinking the same thing Tom.
    It should be remembered that many of those whose jobs may be in jeopardy visit this forum.
    Let’s all try to be a bit more sensitive.
     
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  5. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    Lets be honest here, a lot of peoples jobs are at risk, everywhere not just those directly employed by a preserved railway, people who volunteer and have full time jobs, are also at risk, due to the current climate, its going to effect everyone, no matter who they are,, or who they happen to work for, At some stage life will begin to return to normal, and railways will reopen, but will people have the spare money to visit, will volunteers be able to afford to give their time ?
     
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  6. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Getting our economy back up and running after all this is an unprecedented task, certainly within living memory.

    On the downside, the rapid onset of the chaos resulting from that lurgi will undoubtedly mean nothing we've taken for granted, throughout our lives, will ever be quite the same again. Public transport and heritage operations, are mostly familiar territory for our happy throng. Beyond our field of interest, many High Street shops were already on the ropes before all this kicked off and many of us will have become a sight more comfortable with online shopping, over the past few months. The fact that much commuting has been proven less necessary than many thought will doubtless be reflected in the wider economy.

    On the upside, the effects of our carelessly polluting lifestyle has been thrown into sharp relief. The absence of anything like as many aircraft con trails, up there and exhaust fumes down here hasn't gone unnoticed. Fact is, we've a massive opportunity now. Decarbonising our economy needn't be the problem many may have assumed and with the porkies we've all been fed by the fossil fuel industry for decades have been laid bare, questions are finally being asked.

    The switch to clean energy and efficient use of same will spawn whole industries, with all that implies for employment prospects. Yes, it'll cost .... everything costs ..... but the benefits of investing in our collective future are now, for the most part, readily quantifiable ..... and before anyone asks where the money's going to come from, consider how much, by way of unjustified tax breaks, non-jobs, white elephant projects and excessive healthcare spending (occasioned by the effects of living in a smog of pollution) gets chucked down the drain, year in and year out with no measurable benefit to the overall economy.

    So folks, do we sit around, wringing our hands, or engage forward gear? If it's only you local heritage line's prospects which concern you, ask yourself just where those happy punters you'd like to see spending their hard earned ackers to keep your line going are going to get their money? T'ain't likely to be by bowling merrily along the way we've been doing. It's fingers out time for UK Plc. Do we go for a cleaner, healthier future, or sink, coughing and spluttering into a state of permanent national penury. I know which I'd prefer.
     
  7. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Don't have a problem with your wider post at all and I agree with your 'support your local heritage railway' point, rather than drive across half of England to your favourite heritage railway that is far more risky for virus spread in my view.

    But I see you have listed in your 'downside' paragraph that the long awaited growth of working from home may mean fewer commuters and that may be reflected in the economy. (Quote, above) Surely less commuters is good?

    Trains will have, literally, more breathing space. People will be able to spend more time at home with their loved ones. Less travelling means more time for other things in life and also less need for people to travel unnecessarily thereby mixing more than they need to. And if you add to that the people who drive to work when they could just as easily work from home - even if it were for half their week - then I see no downside.

    OK - some readjustment will be necessary but what this pandemic is doing is forcing people, businesses and the government to open the 'too difficult' drawer and address long overdue issues. I can see that speculators and those others who drive the world in the direction that makes more money for them may start to feel the pinch. But that is exactly how it should be. I don't agree with 'redistribution of wealth' theories but too many people are setting an agenda that is the wrong one.

    So I can't see me visiting the WSR again anytime soon.
     
  8. Steve Edge

    Steve Edge Member

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    Meanwhile, back in 1992...

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    GWR 4-4-0 no 3440 City of Truro at Bishops Lydeard during the 'Taunton 150' celebrations on 5 July 1992.
    © Steve Edge
    This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence. Any re-use of the above image must conform to the requirements of the Creative Commons Licence.


    [​IMG]
    Western Class no D1010 Western Campaigner at Bishops Lydeard during the 'Taunton 150' celebrations on 5 July 1992.
    © Steve Edge
    This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence. Any re-use of the above image must conform to the requirements of the Creative Commons Licence.


    [​IMG]
    GWR 4-4-0 no 3440 City of Truro with the Victorian Belle approaching Eastcombe in July 1992.
    © Steve Edge
    This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence. Any re-use of the above image must conform to the requirements of the Creative Commons Licence.


    [​IMG]
    GWR 4-4-0 no 3440 City of Truro with the Victorian Belle approaching Blue Anchor in July 1992.
    © Steve Edge
    This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence. Any re-use of the above image must conform to the requirements of the Creative Commons Licence.


    [​IMG]
    Class 35 nos D7017 and D7018 at Minehead in 1992.
    © Steve Edge
    This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence. Any re-use of the above image must conform to the requirements of the Creative Commons Licence.



    Visit wsr.org.uk


    [​IMG]

    Steve
     
  9. Paulthehitch

    Paulthehitch Well-Known Member

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    This has little to do with the West Somerset Railway but I felt I ought to raise a caveat to some of Howard's thoughts. Two small businesses I use have actually gained from the "emergency". One is a "one man band" butchers. The other, an utterly traditional (including quality) bakery supplying a few other outlets, has seen trade double and has been forced to close on Mondays because of the sheer strain involved in working double shifts.

    Good that virtue gets rewarded very occasionally.
     
  10. D1039

    D1039 Guest

  11. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    click on the link and it is all there should people wish to read
     
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  12. Forestpines

    Forestpines Well-Known Member

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    Strange thing for him to say. Just because people disagree with his managerial actions doesn't mean they will cheer on an awful thing like that.
     
  13. torgormaig

    torgormaig Part of the furniture Friend

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    I find the statement that the loss has been reported to the police but no action has been taken rather curious. Are the police not bothered (there is just so much petty crime these days), don't they believe it, or does it really mean that despite investigation they have been unable to trace it? The no action bit is totally uninformative and could mean almost anything.

    Peter
     
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  14. Bayard

    Bayard Well-Known Member

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    I expect it is just that, no action. The police assume that all you want is something from them that allows you to claim on your insurance.
    The whole thing smells really dodgy. Funnily enough the same sort of thing happened to my brother not so long ago. He bought a couple of battery forklifts, but before he could collect them, the batteries had been "stolen". "Your responsibility from when the sale went through" was the vendor's attitude.
     
  15. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

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    The link takes me to a stolen trailer ?
     
  16. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

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    In the comments there is a chat between Martin and JJP

    Keith
     
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  17. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    It isnt that obvious but I found it in the end
     
  18. Bayard

    Bayard Well-Known Member

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    Yes, you have to search. It helps if you know that "Sidmouth" is also called Martin.
     
  19. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    I'm trying to buy a copy, but the latest issue showing on the website is 506 and the cover of that makes no mention of the WSR. Is it that issue?
     
  20. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Apparently it also helps to have a facebook account. Without one I don't see any comments from anyone.
     

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