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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

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

  1. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    There are two distinct sides to the WSR , a dedicated volunteer base who against so much adversity strive to do their best for the line and its future, and a management who , I get the feeling are increasingly disliked to the point of almost open hostility . I also get the feeling that the rotation of the same individuals through PLC,WSRA, and possibly WSSRT is really not helping and perpetuate a status quo that is not allowing the railway to flourish

    I do wonder whether the threat of censure, suspension , banishment is keeping the lid on a greater volunteer revolt which i sense is going to be needed for the fortunes of the WSR to change
     
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2021
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  2. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    And isn't it strange that when someone reports something, that shows the management in a poor light, there is always someone, who is connected to the present regime, who will post something to try and divert the attention away from The management , to somehow try to show them in a good light, its as if everyone is scared of upsetting fragile egos, and they have to post something that try's to paint a picture of everything is rosy in the garden, when clearly it isn't,
     
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  3. LC2

    LC2 Member

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    Kettle at Blue Anchor...
    upload_2021-7-10_19-23-10.png
    What's running today that comes this far?
     
  4. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    isn't it just ! ;-)
     
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  5. Ian Monkton

    Ian Monkton Member

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    If you look at the timetables, you will see that at present Blue Anchor is the terminus of all service trains from Bishops Lydeard. From next Friday, trains will run to Dunster.
     
  6. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Lions led by Donkeys do you think Martin?
     
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  7. Mel Hillman

    Mel Hillman New Member

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    If this pointless post is in reference to my recent posts, I feel sorry for you. I responded to put clarity behind the long term management of volunteers and the fact that posters were 'guessing at the situation'. I then suggested others do something positive. Your's and Sidmouth's attitudes just mirror the attitudes you complain about from Plc Board members - 'I know best'. Hypocritical! However both of you are welcome to continue to enjoy wasting your life and electricity to make posts on here that senior management don't read. It is an unofficial site and you are free to continue to waste your time.

    I have had no involvement in decision-making in the running of the railway now or in the past. I attended various meetings as the non-voting clerk. I am no 'stooge' for the Plc Board - as members of the Board well know as I have my views known to them in the past directly. I am well aware that there are major issues to resolve. Posting on here is not going to change things one iota!

    I shall be off shortly to complete my turn at BL - trying to do something positive.
     
  8. gios

    gios Member

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    Mel. I suspect you are incorrect in assuming that previous postings were critical of your very useful contribution. I for one found it professional and informative.

    If you had followed this thread for some time, you would have noticed that there have indeed been what can only be described as aggressive responses to some postings, with hints of 'we know something you don't but will inform you later'. The fundamental problem appears to be the plc is either unable or unwilling to convey information in the best interests of the WSR to all of those interested in its survival. This together with the disgraceful treatment of the S&D and the similar treatment being meted out of an increasing number of volunteers, simply ensures many that would have been happy to contribute to the current unspecified appeal will not do so. Charity always requires both an object and goodwill.

    My summary is a wonderful branch line, a good bunch of volunteers but unfortunately led by a dictatorial management that lacks expertise and behaves in a somewhat vindictive manner to those who disagree or will not bow to its wishes. The WSR was offered a potentially new structure, which would have allowed efficient fund raising to take place and at the same time remove the power of a small number of the plc and distributed the decision making process to a wider grouping. This suggestion has also been rejected on spurious grounds.
     
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2021
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  9. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Mel

    Firstly my posts in no way had a go at you . I spoke of the fabulous volunteers working against the odds and you were very much included in that . Reading how you had been treated continued to reinforce the impression I have of an aloof management caring little for those who make the railway tick

    As to said management not caring about what is said on here, nor reading it , trust me they do . We have been referenced in the chairs outpourings and subject to attempts to suppress opinion being shared

    I have railway volunteers privately saying they agree with everything I write , are fearful for the future of the railway , are no longer financially supporting the railway , doing less turns ,but dare not openly say so because of the repercussions it will have for them having seen friends suffer said fate

    I may not know best but I can see in comparison with other comparable lines the WSR is taking the wrong step time and time again . How much longer can that continue ?
     
  10. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    I think that is probably unfair to donkeys ! (and Ass's before any wag suggests it)

    #chairout#boardout
     
  11. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    Thank you Mell, your post actually does more to conferm mine and others thought that every thing is not at all well in deepest Somerset, leaving your personal comments comments about my self to one side, if you read, my post, i was not picking you out, i did not mention you by name, only that when ever someone points out less than praiseworthy impressions about the WSR, you all respond with personal attacks, and sure as day follows night, here comes another personal attack
     
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  12. Downline

    Downline New Member

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    When I read comments such as yours, I do wonder why people such as those who are WSRA trustees give up no doubt a significant amount of time, for free, to provide support, fundraise, and do all the other associated tasks, for the overall aim of supporting 'the railway', only for a few small group of people to brand them as the problem, and generally trash talk them. Quite pathetic really. People are out there in the world trying to do good, despite whether they agree or disagree with decisions made by others, and others sit back and give it both barrels (or the equivalent on a computer) with general negativity.

    I do wonder what you think the WSRA should be doing in this situation. No opinions or solutions provided by yourself and the small group of experts, just moans and criticism as the usual.

    My opinion is the WSRA are doing the right thing and supporting the function of volunteer recruitment, whether that is managed by them or snatched back by the WSR Plc to regain power, as its going to not necessarily benefit the PLC, but benefit the volunteers and the railway. If they were to throw there toys out the pram and tell the Plc they were not going to provide support when the function was taken off them, then I think they would be due criticism.

    Interesting that those who are the quickest in to twist the knives generally don't respond directly to the post they are referring to, and generally haven't been a volunteer for a significant number of years, if at all, and haven't set foot near the WSR for a significant number of years but seem to have men on the ground providing them all the gossip. Don't want to put 2 and 2 together to get 5 like you have, but there is clearly a trend going on here...
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 12, 2021
  13. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Couple of extra observations

    firstly as for none of the management reading the forum,we discussed the WSR's social media output , it may of course be coincidence but within days the output rose considerably , we then mentioned that the posts should link to the appeals , guess what that is happening too now . having seen other lines can I suggest short videos , interview those who repainted 5199 for example , a footplate crew ,behind the scenes etc

    Well done to whoever has picked this up and as I say the discussion on here may have been just coincidence


    Secondly
    the WSRA not so long go was the problem. infighting , fighting against the railway , the power struggle . unfortunately that wasn't the end but sadly just the first chapter. Where volunteer liaison sits isn't the challenge , it is giving volunteers a sense of belonging , encouragement, appreciation , that they are listened too as well . A preserved railway isn't just a chairman or GM ,its hundreds of volunteers all with a voice and that should be listened too
     
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  14. Andy Moody

    Andy Moody Member

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    +1
     
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  15. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    So basically you would like me to just shut up and go away , isn't that how you deal with dissenters on your railway, please keep on with all your posts, i must have really hit a nerve, So hows the fund raising going, have you hit the million pound target yet? and who are you going to blame when you don't ?
     
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  16. D1039

    D1039 Guest

    For general information and a ballpark figure, the costs of the SVR's 2016 prospectus and share issue were £121,247.

    Patrick

    Edited to tidy up
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 11, 2021
  17. Downline

    Downline New Member

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    Still no solutions provided, interesting... Just more moaning. You really have a chip on your shoulder about everything and anything. Perhaps comments along the lines of 'I don't like this, I think they should do this' will be more helpful and constructive.

    'My railway' (as you refer to it as), fortunately is doing very well at present, has good leadership, happy supporters and passengers, successfully raising funds. Doing the same as 99% of other railways in the UK at present. To correct your assumption, 'My Railway' is not the WSR. Don't worry about apologising for your poor assumption, I wouldn't expect anything more from someone like you.
     
  18. RailWest

    RailWest Part of the furniture

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    >>>>>Still no solutions provided, interesting...

    Part of the problem at the moment for many of us with a life-long passionate interest in the WSR is that (a) there is a distinct lack of clear and detailed information about many aspects of the current situation and (b) an understandable distrust - borne of experience from recent events such as the ever-changing public pronouncements about the S&DRT eviction - of whatever information is promulgated anyway. It is very hard to provide solutions with any degree of certainty of their likely success if you have little or no knowledge of the underlying base facts.

    >>>>'My railway' (as you refer to it as), fortunately is doing very well at present, has good leadership, happy supporters and passengers, successfully raising funds. Doing the same as 99% of other railways in the UK at present....

    Sadly, the WSR seems to fall into the other 1% at the moment. Does that not tell you something.....???
     
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  19. 6026 King John

    6026 King John Well-Known Member

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    If trains are to terminate at Dunster how is that going to work? Is it now possible to run a loco round the train there? As I remember it the line through the goods shed is just a long siding and does not reconnect with the main line at the Sea Lane Crossing end. So, will trains have to be top & tailed from Blue Anchor or some clever shunting done at Dunster? Either way would need a second loco to be available.

    Any thoughts?
     
  20. Fish Plate

    Fish Plate New Member

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    Following on comment on here about the price of tickets, I had a quick look at the railway's website to see what the cost was. It does not seem unduly unreasonable to me, especially compared to other railways. However, what struck me as incredibly peculiar is that if you want to catch a train to Minehead, you buy a ticket called a "Minehead Explorer", but if you want to catch a train to Watchet, you also buy a ticket called a "Minehead Explorer". What on Earth was the thinking behind that...?! Has that been deliberately designed to confuse visitors? Surely some sort of ticket with the name "Watchet" in the title (e.g. "Watcher Wanderer") could have been used make it clear you're not going to Minehead...?! Perhaps it's just me...
     

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