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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

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

Page 1788 of 2198
  1. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

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    Thank you. And sorry, no, I can’t say. But it is something close to my heart.

    Robin
     
    Robin Moira White, Dec 9, 2020
    #35741
  2. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    You’re not going to the DCMS to draft the long-awaited Heritage Volunteers (Film Extras) Emergency Powers Act (2021) are you? ;)

    Tom
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2020
    Jamessquared, Dec 9, 2020
    #35742
    johnofwessex, MellishR, weltrol and 3 others like this.
  3. jnc

    jnc Well-Known Member

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    I think this is a very wise move on your part, to step back from involvement on governance issues on the WSR (at least, that's how I interpret this announcement; if I have misread things, I hope you will correct me). The line clearly is in major need of improvements that area, but they also clearly aren't interested in your help. I went through a vaguely similar situation some decades back: my thinking then was that I could either a) bang my head on the wall, to no effect, or b) sit under a virtual palm tree; with identical results. That was a 'no-brainer'.

    As usual, I'm not sure if the PLC management has not really thought this through; with your move, and if most of the usual crowd of NR critics take a pass on posting (no doubt there will be some diehards, but many are/will now palm tree, I suspect), their usual excuses/distractions will be gone. If any further massive c@#$-ups occur, who will they blame?

    As to whether things on/at the WSR will improve; well, we'll see. History does not leave me hopeful, but maybe the horse will learn to sing.

    Noel
     
    jnc, Dec 9, 2020
    #35743
    The Dainton Banker, baldbof, Poolbrook and 8 others like this.
  4. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    I think it was great that the WSR preserved virtually a complete branch line, and i hope that it survives in its full form.
    What I love about the WSR is its length, with so much variety of landscape and infrastructure, as well as gradients giving the locos a good work-out. I hope that it does survive in full, but I lack confidence in the plc. Its expulsion of the S&DRT is unforgiveable, but I don't love the WSR (as a railway) any less for that. Sadly, the plc board seems able to elbow anyone out, whom they don't like, and I can only hope that the railway will survive to be eventually taken over by people more worthy to be running it. That may be a long time into the future when people like RMW are (understandably) stepping aside.
     
    nanstallon, Dec 9, 2020
    #35744
    49010, Hirn and The Dainton Banker like this.
  5. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    Thanks for your contributions, and hoping to see more, although they will be less controversial. It is hard to say anything about the WSR without being controversial, though! Good luck in your new incarnation.
     
    nanstallon, Dec 9, 2020
    #35745
    jnc, Hampshire Unit and Robin Moira White like this.
  6. Paulthehitch

    Paulthehitch Well-Known Member

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    Evidently the "big lesson" has not been grasped in all quarters. We shall see how appropriate "survives" will be in future.
     
    Paulthehitch, Dec 9, 2020
    #35746
  7. RailWest

    RailWest Part of the furniture

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    Indeed.

    However....today I got an e-mail from the Plc as follows:- "The copy of the newsletter sent to you yesterday contained a typing error. Under the section of Christmas Trains it read “It is anticipated that trains will recommence running in late March 2022” this should have read “It is anticipated that trains will recommence running in late March 2021”.

    I do hope that was not a Freudian slip :)
     
    RailWest, Dec 9, 2020
    #35747
    green five and 35B like this.
  8. 61624

    61624 Part of the furniture

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    As usual you are twisting reality to suit your theory. How then do you account for the fact that the two most successful heritage lines are the NYMR and SVR, whilst some of the shorter ones (MRT Butterley, Peak Rail appear to be withering and dying and other short lines such as the Battlfield line hardly stand out as "must see "venues? The answer is of course that it's not just down to the length of the line!
     
    61624, Dec 9, 2020
    #35748
    Matt37401, Paul42, The Dainton Banker and 8 others like this.
  9. Paulthehitch

    Paulthehitch Well-Known Member

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    "Reality" is the net cost of operation whilst "success" needs the proximity of large populations such as the West Midlands or West Riding. That or a really thriving holiday area such as South Devon.
     
    Paulthehitch, Dec 9, 2020
    #35749
  10. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    Possibly, but the weaker examples have large local populations and holiday areas nearby. Length is not the determining factor here - though it may make life harder.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
     
    35B, Dec 9, 2020
    #35750
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  11. Bayard

    Bayard Well-Known Member

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    Isn't Peak Rail the only line that can challenge the WSR for the coveted "Infighter of the Year" trophy?
     
    Bayard, Dec 9, 2020
    #35751
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  12. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    Sadly they've missed a golden opportunity.

    I also wonder how many families and coach parties will be interested in a day out to Williton at the start of the 2021 season. <BJ>
     
    free2grice, Dec 9, 2020
    #35752
  13. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    There is a list that of candidates the nation would give grateful thanks if it were possible for them to disappear ;-)

    All the best though
     
    Sidmouth, Dec 9, 2020
    #35753
  14. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Can we just accept every railway in the UK is doing it wrong other than the one across the Solent? (Well according to Mr H)
     
    Matt37401, Dec 10, 2020
    #35754
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  15. City of truro fan

    City of truro fan Member

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    I think the gwili railway also does alright to never hear about them doing anything bad
     
    City of truro fan, Dec 10, 2020
    #35755
    Paulthehitch likes this.
  16. Paulthehitch

    Paulthehitch Well-Known Member

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    I certainly don't feel that in any way.
     
    Paulthehitch, Dec 10, 2020
    #35756
  17. pgbffest

    pgbffest New Member

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    So, you're saying that size doesn't matter - it is what you do with it that counts? ;)
     
    pgbffest, Dec 10, 2020
    #35757
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  18. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    There is real life outside of the WSR as is also true of the world beyond Nat Pres. So grasp the opportunity with both hands, do what is best for you and good luck with that.

    There's a metaphor in there somewhere. Looking beyond the 'now', embracing new opportunities and being prepared to change or adapt. I wonder whether the wider WSR community can grasp that simplicity?
     
    Big Al, Dec 10, 2020
    #35758
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  19. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    johnofwessex, Dec 10, 2020
    #35759
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  20. baldbof

    baldbof Well-Known Member Friend

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    baldbof, Dec 10, 2020
    #35760
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