GWSR General Discussion and Operations

Another update on progress from Sarah Clayton: Gotherington Slip Repairs - Week 3. I'd say we're past the danger point now on the repair.

Noel

 

I'm kind of surprised it hasn't generated more noise on NP than it has, but for what it is worth, the GWSR Facebook confirmed that 45110 will be based on that railway for a further 6 months (which basically takes you up to the end of November this year).

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1291141719897234&set=a.480108161000598

Tom

 

It's certainly caused a lot of froth on Facebook, but as we know NatPres is a froth free zone

 

He of the endless, wind affected on board videos?

 

That's the one.

 

All engagement is good for the algorithm!

 

Saw a worrying post on Facebook which appears to cast the Railway in a very poor light. Can't read the Oxford Mail article as it's behind a pay wall but comments suggest it was a motor coach and absolutely nothing to do with the GWSR.

If so, I hope some strong words are heading the way of the Mail and at least a prominent apology and explanation will be published...

 

Obviously someone with brains like minestrone searched "coach" in the files. Because the story is to do with a bus of some variety.

 

The story is here https://archive.ph/obNJB its so badly written its pretty hard to establish exactly where it happened as its first mentions 'railway' station but then 'coach' station.

FWIW I only picked up on it on a generic local Oxfordshire News Facebook page full of people with nothing to do with railways ranting about what a nonsense the story was and hoping that the GWSR legal department were on the case so hopefully no harm done in the long run!

TBH its nice to see a story in the local Oxfordshire press which isn't about Clarkson's Farm or Pub, they are bloody obsessed with him!

 

This below might give a clue!

"The court heard how Mrs Hazell had been sat in the seat behind the allotted wheelchair space on the coach, and when it pulled into the coach station the driver disembarked, and passengers followed suit."
Another clue would be, Are the RAIB involved?

 

Which is all well and good if it were not preceded by 'Patricia Hazell, 82, died in the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford on May 25 last year after falling from a coach at Broadway Rail Station in Gloucestershire ' and the piece publicised online with a photograph of the platform and station sign at Broadway Railway Station.

 

Well, I am not prepared to get into an argument over this. But I have done some research and although there is a car park a little distance from the GWSR station there does not appear to be any spaces for coaches. unless anyone knows different.
However there is the Milestone ground long stay car and coach park in the village which has space for three or four coaches according to the photos I found on Google. I would not describe it as a coach station!
I have also read through the Oxford Mails story and although it is a very tragic case, There was no mention of the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway by the coroner There however is reference to the Driver Vehicle & Standards authority.
One other howler, according to the Oxford Mail, Broadway is in Gloucestershire, It is in fact in Worcester! I suspect either very poor reporting or more likely very poor editing including the photograph of Broadway station.
Perhaps someone from GWSR can comment, to avoid further speculation.

 

Personally, I don't see any speculation.

All I see is a very poor article which many will wrongly interpret as a failure by the railway.

I will admit that was my first thought but quickly realised this was very far from being the case.

I just worry that some folk will assume the railway is unsafe and perhaps spread this false narrative.

 

Yes exactly, That is my concern as well.

 

A message from Ian Crowder on Facebook. <BJ>

"As the railway's press officer, I have spoken to the Editor and the picture has been taken down. His argument was that it provided geographical context but appreciated that she fell from a road motor coach not a railway coach and that the railway was not culpable or involved in any way. Very poor journalism!".

 

If we’re looking for howlers then Worcester is a good 25 miles from Broadway, a village in Worcestershire.

And of course no part of the GWSR is in Warwickshire ………….

 

The loco roster for tomorrow (Sat. 13th) indicates 3850 | 34070 (Ale).

Can someone advise which loco will be hauling the 09:40 Todd - Broadway service please? The loco roster gives it as 'Train 2'. TIA <BJ>