If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

West Somerset Railway General Discussion

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

  1. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2013
    Messages:
    10,438
    Likes Received:
    17,937
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Cheltenham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Having just seen your comments I don't know if you can be banned from commenting on a Facebook page as easily as you can a group? Keep us updated though, see how many different WSR outlets it's possible to be banned from commenting on!
     
    Sunnieboy and staffordian like this.
  2. Triumph 2500S

    Triumph 2500S Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2014
    Messages:
    1,066
    Likes Received:
    933
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Swindon
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I think you are misunderstanding the point I am trying to make

    It should have been protected for possible future use and it was Not and more importantly there was no interest whatsoever in doing so, sadly.

    Now it will cost a fortune to reinstate - it is possible but very unlikely

    This the lack of Ambition to which I made reference
     
  3. 242A1

    242A1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2006
    Messages:
    1,558
    Likes Received:
    1,299
    I believe that it was Tom Peters who wrote that for any business or organisation to be successful you had to make it more dangerous to acquiesce than to disagree. It appears that with the WSR this is not understood, so for all of you who are blindly going along with the PLC just take a step or two back and think about what it is that you supporting and why? If the voice of disagreement is not to be heard, an alternative viewpoint is to be shouted down regardless of how well considered it might be, what kind of organisation are you involved in? The railway is failing, some believe that it is beyond saving, others have come to believe that it is not worth saving.

    The same organisational experiment has been conducted for many years. True it has seen the occasional slight adjustments but essentially it has continued much the same. And has it delivered success? The answer is simple, just look at where you are. There are those who so 'blind' that they do not want to see. Things must continue as they always have because the failures of the organisation cannot be the fault of that very organisation but must lie very firmly at the doors of other agencies or individuals. People are generally uncomfortable with change, they are comfortable with the way they perceive things are and defend that position that they find comfortable. So what happens when some members of the organisation start to question the nature of that organisation. Those that are 'comfortable' will defend their comfort and the more that they feel that their comfort is under threat the more they will defend it. They will continue to occupy the deckchairs to the point where the water is around their ankles and beyond that until the ship sinks which is very much evidence that their comfortable position is under threat. And yes, some will continue with the denial process until the end. And as things spiral out of control the bitterness and hostility increases. So those that have expressed concerns about the organisation will be seen not as those who were trying to bring about any improvement but as other agencies responsible for the decades of difficulties and any and all failures.

    In spite of reports stating that change is so very necessary, the reluctance and unwillingness to act does raise the question of how many of those involved are comfortable? How many are jealously guarding their own little Fiefdoms regardless of the cost to others and the whole? How many are in denial? And how many have a vested interest concerned only with personal gain and inflicting losses on others?
     
  4. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2011
    Messages:
    25,484
    Likes Received:
    23,713
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Grantham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    And who would have done that protection?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  5. Triumph 2500S

    Triumph 2500S Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2014
    Messages:
    1,066
    Likes Received:
    933
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Swindon
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    The NUR issue had been resolved but sadly the then Chairman of the plc went blindly into the discussions at Paddington without his fellow Director and negotiator Michael Bailiss and blew it

    This was the reason why Michael resigned and took his Six Pullman Cars with him (now in the Royal Scotsman set)

    As a point of note both the gentlemen involved are now long since deceased and so I cannot corroborate my statement above but this is what I understand and believe happened and makes this yet another missed opportunity so typical of the mismanagement of the railway

    I hope I shall live long enough to see it change!!
     
  6. Cuckoo Line

    Cuckoo Line Member

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2020
    Messages:
    298
    Likes Received:
    300
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    South West
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    As a bystander I find all these discussions rather disappointing. We've stopped going to WSR because the visitor experience is rather disappointing. We visit other preserved railways because it is an enjoyable experience. Unless WSR and all its interested parties start providing an enjoyable experience then it will cease to exist and those volunteers won't have trains to play with. The railways we visit all have their unique experience so its not about copying but understanding how you can provide that experience. Come on sort out yourselves.
     
  7. Andy Norman

    Andy Norman Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2015
    Messages:
    737
    Likes Received:
    4,393
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    West Somerset
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Welcome to the elite band of ‘WSR Troublemakers’, entrance only applies to those who a certain someone decided to remove for speaking, please wear your badge and label with pride, one day it may define your standing when the dust settles either way on this whole sorry affair.

    Rodders a few pages back said “all is fair in love and war” in reply to justifying some actions being taken against some WSSRT members who dare to stand for election (a statement that in itself gives a lot of insight and I could take in a number of directions). Well this is certainly not ‘love’ so it must be ‘war’ if you take his mindset as reality (there was me thinking it was a hobby?). If that’s the case then at the end of any war there will be medals.

    Perhaps you will receive a campaign medal given to ‘The Excluded’ awarded to those who stood up to be counted in the face of ID Card/Facebook removal !! Perhaps the person who has been excluded for the longest could have a ‘with Bar’ attached, for me it’s 17/2/19 and counting since ID Card removal (although it’s actually still in my wallet) for saying just one word ‘no’, can anybody beat that or do I win !!!!!!!!

    On a more serious note rumours are reaching my ears of people being ‘lent on’ as well. If this is true (and I only have it second hand) it really is a serious thing to do for any PLC/commercial type company to openly interfere with a Charities Elections even if through ‘agents’ speaking for them.

    All take a step back and look, the structure isn’t the problem (although it does need altering) it has worked ok-ish for many years and much of that time the WSR has prospered. It’s some of the people, that is the immediate issue that the people and community of the WSR need to resolve. Tick-Tock !!

    I make these comments as a concerned WSSRT Member and PLC Shareholder.
     
  8. Andy Norman

    Andy Norman Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2015
    Messages:
    737
    Likes Received:
    4,393
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    West Somerset
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    A very insightful post if you don't mind me saying.
     
  9. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2013
    Messages:
    10,438
    Likes Received:
    17,937
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Cheltenham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    That's a good point, not thought of it like that before.

    Speaking as someone else excluded from a Facebook group for speaking out, I'd just like to say that's nothing compared to removal, or threat of removal, of an ID card. One just means I spend a little less time on Facebook, the other deprives one of their hobby, and potentially their mental well-being (my own volunteering has certainly helped keep me sane this past year).
     
  10. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2008
    Messages:
    7,498
    Likes Received:
    5,455
    But the reality is you wouldn’t be in the position of losing your card for giving an opinion where you volunteer. That is the sad thing about it - hardly encourages new ideas for fear of being cast aside.
     
  11. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2013
    Messages:
    10,438
    Likes Received:
    17,937
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Cheltenham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    In case I wasn't clear, I was ejected from a WSR related Facebook group. Despite airing my opinions publicly where appropriate on GWSR matters even on occasion opposing a board decision I have never been banned or threatened with anything.
     
  12. gwilialan

    gwilialan Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2012
    Messages:
    1,658
    Likes Received:
    3,891
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Out there somewhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Even here, outside the magical 200 mile limit where the WSR world is alleged to end, I am hearing rumblings of 'pressures' etc. being applied to certain candidates though I will not repeat specific rumours - that is the sort of tittle-tattle the objectors seem to thrive on.

    If it turns out that unacceptable pressure has been brought to bear then I will happily lay the blame for every single one of those events at the feet of the WSR Board for their deliberate inflaming of the situation when they, in any normal, decent world, should be standing up against this interference and insisting their supporters allow the WSSRT to handle it's own business.
     
  13. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2014
    Messages:
    17,609
    Likes Received:
    11,222
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    St Leonards
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Love or war? Perhaps that's the key, it is a war, a war for the future( if it is to have one) of the WSR. There are those who have attached their flag to the plc flag pole , for them, there can be no turning back, its his way, or the highway,
    Then there are those who alarmed by the actions of the PLC, Recognising how flawed the structure is, and the roofs about to fall in, want to prop it up, to be able to repair the damage, those who support the PLC follow blindly, until there is nothing,
    those who say change is not just needed, but urgently needed, compared to those who say, we don't need change, that belief in the leader will somehow see us through.
     
  14. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    May 29, 2006
    Messages:
    3,967
    Likes Received:
    5,064
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    N.Ireland
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I cannot fault your posting Andy, but regarding the bit in black - I think you need to take the structure and the people as two separate problems that are inextricably linked. They both need to be dealt with, preferably at the same time. The structure has allowed the people to get into the positions of power, and the people have caused the problems.

    If you change the people without changing the structure then another group of similarly minded people could use the same structure to gain positions of power.

    If you change the structure without changing the people, you risk changing to something that gives those people even more power and making them even harder to remove.

    Keith
     
    Major Midget, Sunnieboy, jnc and 6 others like this.
  15. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2005
    Messages:
    4,323
    Likes Received:
    2,397
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Westcountry
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Much though I despise the plc board, I have never met with anything but courtesy and pride in doing a good job, as far as the staff are concerned. The delightful country stations have been a great place to spend time, usually enjoying their refreshments and general camaraderie. I have always enjoyed travelling on the line, and it is heartbreaking to see it being wrecked.

    The people who have given so much time to the railway deserve far better.
     
  16. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2014
    Messages:
    17,609
    Likes Received:
    11,222
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    St Leonards
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    I have posted before that I could fore see a situation whereby the WSSRT becomes the PLC'S supporting charity of choice, and the WSRA Is left in the wilderness, at the time I was laughed at, for saying this, given recent events and PLC becoming involved to prevent people it don't want gaining power on what, I believe will become its tame charity , was i actually right in my suspicions ?
     
  17. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2005
    Messages:
    4,323
    Likes Received:
    2,397
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Westcountry
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Thanks for that information. Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
     
  18. Dan Taylor

    Dan Taylor New Member Account Suspended

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2019
    Messages:
    159
    Likes Received:
    142
    Occupation:
    Fireman
    Location:
    Titfield
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    A hostile takeover?

    Some people never learn.

    not content with helping drive a loco away.
    They want to drive nails into the coffin of the railway.

    In a way you can't blame the plc when they have someone stabbing them in the back every 2 mins.

    Should withdraw their access to the railway as a volunteer.

    They've done it to a fireman before.
     
    37401 and rodders154 like this.
  19. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2011
    Messages:
    25,484
    Likes Received:
    23,713
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Grantham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Jess Philips got a lot of grief for saying she'd never stab Jeremy Corbyn in the back, because she'd always do it in the front. I observe what's happened over years, refracted through NP postings amongst other sources, and I notice that charges of "stabbing in the back" etc. are consistently made by posters advocating support for people or organisations whose behaviour has been beyond the pale. Whatever you think about the nominations for the WSSRT, and their timing, they are not a stab in the back. In the front, possibly, but not the back.
     
    The Dainton Banker likes this.
  20. Dan Taylor

    Dan Taylor New Member Account Suspended

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2019
    Messages:
    159
    Likes Received:
    142
    Occupation:
    Fireman
    Location:
    Titfield
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    You aren't the first and won't be the last to decide to take your money else where
     
    37401 likes this.

Share This Page