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SVR General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by threelinkdave, Aug 20, 2014.

  1. Selsig

    Selsig Member

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    I suspect the answer can be found 3 photos later on in the same post!

    John
     
  2. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Member

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    The Marquess
     
  3. MikeParkin65

    MikeParkin65 Member Friend

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    Interesting to see how 'rundown' 3442 came to look - I've always assumed it remained reasonably presentable between its first mainline stint and its second stint on the SVR and mainline
     
  4. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    It spent many years stored in the open mainly at Arley and it was 10 years from its last steaming to the commencement of its overhaul which contributed to its condition.
     
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  5. Dunfanaghy Road

    Dunfanaghy Road Well-Known Member

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    3442 certainly looked healthier in 1973
    R3041.JPG
    Not a good shot, I'm afraid. I was taken by surprise when leaving 'The Midland'.
    Pat
     
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  6. 46118

    46118 Part of the furniture

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    Back to 2024, and the prospects for the new season. My shareholder travel vouchers arrived today, earlier than in recent years due to there being a "low season" service in February and March.

    Also a welcome letter from Mr Dunster, and a calender of no less than twenty "special events" of various kinds, starting with a Spring Gift Fayre 16th-17th March, and finishing with the Santa trains and Enchanted Express in December.

    Clearly the GM, the Board and the marketing people are being positive, and really"giving it a go" to attract visitors and improve the revenue situation.

    To my mind, all very positive.

    46118
     
  7. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    There certainly seems to be a lot more positivity around the SVR at the moment, I did hear about a visitor for an event in spring which I’d normally be rather happy about but it unfortunately clashes with another event I’m booked up for! Doh!
    Edit no big secret then 37409’s been confirmed for the Diesel event in May, wasn’t sure if it had been officially confirmed when I got the gen and didn’t want to pre empt.
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2024
  8. Kje7812

    Kje7812 Part of the furniture

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  9. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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  10. Fred Kerr

    Fred Kerr Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    +1
     
  11. alastair

    alastair Well-Known Member

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    Absolutely agree. We do (mercifully) seem to be in a completely different place from 2 or 3 years ago when the then SVR Company Secretary thought it appropriate to lambast shareholders as "freeloaders", followed up by a somewhat mealy-mouthed apology from the then GM. At that time I vowed never to visit or spend any money on the SVR ever again, but needless to say I gave in and had a great day there on the new year gala!
     
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  12. Dead Sheep

    Dead Sheep Member

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    Ditto, my thoughts exactly. After 'that' letter I said "never again" but I guess to use an old coin of phrase, "never say never".

    Really pleased to see the new GM is turning things around.
     
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  13. alastair

    alastair Well-Known Member

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    Indeed, talk about a "Gerald Ratner moment"! Quite extraordinary that the then SVR board allowed that letter to go out, I can only assume that the challenges of covid etc. had literally lead to them not being able to see the wood from the trees. Thankfully neither of these people are on the scene now.
     
  14. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    Not the company secretary from memory (but the former general manager) Apology came from the former chairman
     
  15. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Well it certainly Pi$$ed a lot of people off.
    Anyhow shall we move on to more positive things?
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2024
  16. alastair

    alastair Well-Known Member

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    The offending letter was from Louise Whitehouse, possibly finance director if not company secretary? The apology I got was from then GM Helen Smith - it was infuriating because she did not address the absurdity of branding shareholders as "freeloaders", it just went on about the need to tighten up on the number of free trips allowed which I had actually made a point of saying I had no problem with!

    Anyway time to move on and be positive.
     
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  17. 2857Harry

    2857Harry Member

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    Well it does matter because quite possibly dragging the wrong names through the mud here.
     
  18. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Fair point, post edited.
     
  19. Robin

    Robin Well-Known Member Friend

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    In that vein, February's Branch Lines has just been posted.
    https://www.svrlive.com/blfeb24
     
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  20. Matt37401

    Matt37401 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Can I ask what’s happened to Patrick? I did enjoy his postings on here.
     
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