7027 Thornbury Castle

https://www.4709.org.uk/4709blog/august-newsletter

 

As I have said in my answer to MellishR, there is quite a long statement from Croucher in the latest edition of Railway Herald.

 

Thanks for that, says nothing new but fundamentally puts to bed the 'nothing to do with us' stance the GWS are trying to perpetuate.

 

Agreed, particularly with the last page of the newsletter.

 

No, because there hasn't been a chorus of complaints that you should not have bought it and that it deserves to belong to someone else.

 

...

 

Seems to be a bit too much overthinking and wild analysis going on.


Has a group formed yet? One thing that can be said for the new build groups is that they start a Farcebook page within 5 minutes, surely we are well overdue a 'Save Thornbury Castle' page by now!?

 

Will you be asking me to put my hand in my pocket to help you with your next car though?

 

Is there really any need for the sarcasm and general negative outlook on this whole thing? We understand the reality of this, that isn't in dispute. But again, until JJP gets a reply from the 4709 group then nothing can be done. For a representative of the DMLL I'd expect better.

 

I'm not being negative, I'm being realistic.

Current plan seems to be to ask questions at the AGM and hope to overturn the sale. If that is the result what is the plan? Any approach to purchase would need to look credible, what if JJP catches a cold if he doesn't feel there is the support to purchase the engine back? If there is no credible plan ready and waiting and someone feels they are stuck with the engine the outcome could be worse?

Time is of the essence if people want to try and do something, it would be a big sum required obviously so will take time, two weeks have now passed since news broke.

Opinions are my own and nothing to do with any groups but based on daily experience within the movement.

EDIT: I guess I may have been hoping that by pointing out that many other things are quick to launch a page and generate support that someone might think 'good idea' and get something going.....

 

Which is I presume basically the same as in the 4709 newsletter that's been linked to. In which case, there's rather a lot of hope, and rather too little detail, for comfort - even if I accepted the premise of the purchase.

 

If the GWS AGM is hoped the ask questions and negate the sale, I don't see how this would affect a group within the GWS. The GWS apparently was unaware of the sale. Mike S, - and one or two others, have shed reality on the scene. If there is a reply from 4079 Group I am sure it will be in the negative. I feel it is time to stop the insults and accept the fact that is been sold. Everyone had the chance to save 7027 years ago when it was with previous owners - now its too late.

 

How can Didcot imply that 4709 is nothing to do with them

On the 31-01-2021 there was £63,164 in a restricted fund for 4709 in the GWS accounts.

 

They cannot, in all honesty. The 4709 group is either an embarrassment to them or an inconvenience, or both. Perhaps Mr Putin has taken control of the GWS!

 

There is nothing to stop the GWS Board from putting their foot down, and prohibiting the dismantling of what is presumably now their own property. Maybe they could even allow the wider membership to have a say in things?

I must say that the 'oh dear, how sad, never mind' comments on this thread, and elsewhere, are failing to recognise the wider implications of 7027's sale. In some cases, I suspect, deliberately.

 

I doubt that they would do that because they would probably lose!

 

I don't recall requests for financial support coming from either of the previous two owners. AFAIK this is the first potential opportunity for general donors to become involved.

 

All the GWS has to do, is to announce that following a rethink, and inspection of 7027, that it has been decided to press on with the restoration. that the plan now is to restore 7027, it would save the GWS face, and hopefully give them something to get behind,

 

Can you explain those "wider implications" then?