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Swindon and Cricklade Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by toplight, Nov 5, 2018.

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  1. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    D6003 moving to Dean Forest Railway shortly. A post on wnxxforum.co.uk by someone involved with the ED said volunteers reported the railway to ORR, HMRI attended last week, and now the chairman and vice-chairman have both resigned. Sounds an utter mess.
     
    5944, Feb 9, 2026 at 12:21 AM
    #61
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  2. Kingscross

    Kingscross Member

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    And 6695 has relocated to the Avon Valley, at least for the time being.
     
    Kingscross, Feb 9, 2026 at 9:06 AM
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  3. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    Having also seen that post, I suspect that the reality is even worse than it appears from that brief summary. A contact suggests that the session with HMRI involved mandatory attendance by all trustees and department heads, and it was all day. I suspect tea and biscuits will not have been on the agenda.
     
    35B, Feb 9, 2026 at 9:32 AM
    #63
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  4. brennan

    brennan Member

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    Running a railway is not as simple as it was in the 1980's. Unfortunately!
     
    brennan, Feb 9, 2026 at 9:57 AM
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  5. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    I'm not convinced that the manner of running the Swindon & Cricklade was acceptable in the 1980s either.
     
    35B, Feb 9, 2026 at 10:44 AM
    #65
  6. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Using Titfield Thunderbolt as a reference documentary?
     
    5944, Feb 9, 2026 at 11:01 AM
    #66
  7. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    The impression I get is rather less benign.
     
    35B, Feb 9, 2026 at 11:47 AM
    #67
  8. Cuckoo Line

    Cuckoo Line Member

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    Fallings out became public last September when the local paper got wind of some removals of key people.
     
    Cuckoo Line, Feb 9, 2026 at 1:29 PM
    #68
  9. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Who is/was the S&C chair
     
    Sidmouth, Feb 9, 2026 at 1:45 PM
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  10. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    The railway website doesn't specify a chairman. Some quick online searching brings up a Rail Advent link from July 2023 mentioning a Michael Abbott, but that's not conclusive.

    The Charities Commission website names the following as trustees (as at the time of writing):
    Mark Philip White
    Michael Palfreman
    Nigel Andrew Willoughby
    Michael Abbott
    Kenneth Charles Goodwin
     
    35B, Feb 9, 2026 at 2:15 PM
    #70
  11. mdewell

    mdewell Well-Known Member Friend

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    mdewell, Feb 9, 2026 at 2:30 PM
    #71
  12. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    He listed himself as Chairman on his Linked in profile.
     
    Pete Thornhill, Feb 9, 2026 at 2:31 PM
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  13. Cuckoo Line

    Cuckoo Line Member

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    Cuckoo Line, Feb 9, 2026 at 3:00 PM
    #73
  14. bluetrain

    bluetrain Well-Known Member

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    Your Trustee list agrees with the last two editions of the railway's magazine "Tiddly Dyke" (a nickname for the former M&SWJR). With Michael Abbott as Chair and Nigel Willoughby as Vice-Chair.

    As sometimes happens in the Heritage Railway world, there was a falling-out last year between some key figures on the Railway.
     
    bluetrain, Feb 9, 2026 at 3:31 PM
    #74
  15. Cuckoo Line

    Cuckoo Line Member

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    Let's hope someone with enough character can put it all straight and give a bit if direction, looks like there is some good work going on with the new shop and track relaying, we've always found it a pleasant experience visiting with a lot of potential.

    Sent from my SM-A556B using Tapatalk
     
    Cuckoo Line, Feb 9, 2026 at 4:24 PM
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  16. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    If accounts are correct, it would appear that the "victory" may have been short lived. HMRI involvement of that degree is unusual, and the implications must be a little worrying
     
    35B, Feb 9, 2026 at 4:43 PM
    #76
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