Trawsfynydd and Blaenau Ffestiniog Railway

Well of course ??

 

Saying that if the line had had more volunteers, mistakes might not have been made, is a fine piece of whatifery, but speculation that different volunteers might have said "hang on, are we allowed to drive this thing onto the track?" is somewhat pointless in the current situation. The responsibility for what went on rests firmly on the shoulders of those who were there, and their management, right up to Mr Dale.

My reaction to the newspaper article is that excuses like "it was an honest mistake" which was nothing to do with him, apparently, or that it would have been impossible to do what they wanted and comply with the "hand tools only" condition are not exactly going to do himself or the railway any favours with NR.

 

So "having a go" is acceptable if the person leading the project has apparently got little understanding of working with Network Rail, the safety of the project's volunteers, the handling of donations, or a degree of truthfulness when challenged?

This thread is beginning to read like the project's own Facebook groups.

However much we might like someone or support their projects, there is a time when we need to stop digging a hole for ourselves. Fortunately, noone appears to have been hurt on this project and I believe some of the money raised has been recovered. Let's see that comes from the AGM.

 

Yes well said.

 

What a strange post??

 

what's strange about it?

 

Read it?? I`m not a fortune teller, ???

 

I wrote it, and also don't understand what you think is strange about it. Maybe you should explain.

 

Sorry just re-read it, no time to explain now, off to Prague for a lovely 9 days on the rails,

 

Forestpines has it spot on - no problem understanding his post!

 

I see Shredder is off to check things out in Prague (geddit?)

 

According to today's North Wales Daily Post this lot are attempting to start up again as if nothing has happened. The same people reckon that they can re-negotiate with Network Rail, build six new stations & re- open the line using £1.5m of funding that they have access to. I checked my calendar to confirm that it is 1st of May & not 1st of April.
I've got to go off now as some pigs have just flown over & I need to take a photo.

Bob.

 

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/what-railway-enthusiasts-store-disused-14588398

There was also a recent post (23 April) on the Facebook page about their latest newsletter with plans for AGM/EGMs and a new committee:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/774665652613402/permalink/1679538295459462/

 

On the Isengard web site amongst the usual WHR related information there is a link to the BF&TR newsletter giving more information - http://isengard.co.uk/#News - scroll down to the 20th April entries for the link. Disclaimer: I have no involvement or inside knowledge - I offer the link for those who might not have already seen it and who might be interested!

Steve B

 

The newsletter is extremely interesting, and shows clear signs of having been reviewed by someone with a legal mindset. In particular, the appendices are very interesting reading.

For the first time in this saga, I see signs that there might be a team capable of delivering this as a viable project.

 

If you read the article closely, it is Colin Dale who has claimed that there is £1.5million available and he is definitely not part of the remaining group of Society members who are trying to restart the project. As with everything else that comes out of that lunatic's mouth/keyboard, it is utter nonsense; if it were true, then why the continuous appeal for funds at every stage of the project to date?

I wish the Society well in their endeavors; however, whilst Dale has any involvement at any level, it is doomed to failure. The first step has to be, in my opinion, a complete decoupling between the Society and Trawsfynydd Railway Company (which looks like it will be wound-up), all ties with Dale severed, and as fresh a start as possible made.

As a final observation, there is still no word on what happened to the £1,000+ sum raised for the failed purchase of the 2-HAP... Where has that money gone?

 

I read the newsletter and found it confusing with references to the Society and to the Company

 

Probably to pay for the transport to the scrapyard - possibly a specialised yard it there is asbestos involved.

 

I noted that the newsletter from the society was careful to keep itself apart from the company, while quoting without challenge Network Rail on the subject of Colin Dale, who is (was?) the sole owner of the company.

Similarly careful were the references to the fundraising for the EMU. Given how they stated that funds raised for other projects appear to have been used correctly, I interpreted that as implying that the funds for the unit are outside their control, and that the society isn’t currently satisfied that they are validly accounted for.

Given the vituperation in the Facebook posts a few months ago, that would seem to imply a desire to break with the past, and create a new, more mature, way of working. If so, that is all to the good.

 

I am still overall doubtful as to the point of restoring the line, but the newsletter did at least make me think that relatively sensible people are in charge now.