If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by gwr4090, Nov 15, 2007.

  1. Lineisclear

    Lineisclear Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2020
    Messages:
    728
    Likes Received:
    1,117
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Worcestershire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    My more pessimistic figure would exclude the cost of major infrastructure developments/replacements.
     
    ghost likes this.
  2. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2018
    Messages:
    3,498
    Likes Received:
    6,845
    Location:
    Here, there, everywhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Other than the fact that the railway may or may not be facing financial meltdown, and that the last chance before bankruptcy to change the direction may have been missed. So it's hardly been a rip-roaring success and your plans have been kicked into the long grass since you aided the defeat of the 10/14.

    Remember you were berating people for not donating? As has been explained to you, people are not willing to donate with the current management in charge. There was a small window of opportunity to potentially change direction. You helped shut it. Saying you have no influence is disingenuous. You have enough influence to propose a radical restructuring of the WSR which is embraced by the vast majority of those involved with the WSR, enough influence to involve yourself in the PLC-S&DRT dispute, and yet apparently you want us to believe your views had absolutely no influence over anyone on the WSR when it came to the 10/14. Yeah right, chinny reckon.
     
    ross likes this.
  3. bluetrain

    bluetrain Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2019
    Messages:
    1,326
    Likes Received:
    1,460
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Wiltshire
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    Quick arithmetic indicates that 20p per minute corresponds to about £100K per annum and 20p per second to about £6M per annum. The second option looks the more likely cost of NYMR operation.
     
  4. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2005
    Messages:
    9,634
    Likes Received:
    8,300
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Alderan !
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    unfortunately the last retort rather devalues a point with some value . Whether you agree with @Lineisclear or not fair play for willingly engaging in the debate despite some of the bricks thrown at him . I am also cautious in allowing any latitude to the board in creating a scapegoat if the worst case happens .

    ultimately the buck stops with the chair and board and decisions made . you rightly highlight that opportunities for change from basic to complex have been missed . The alarm has been sounding on this forum for a number of years and members have been derided by the usual suspects for a number of salient points made which now feel like chickens coming home to roost

    for those looking on and thinking the Llangollen administration wasn't too bad , might want to reflect that the WSR structure vests in LRO and much of the assets in the operating company and not a charity . Should a similar fate befall the WSR the auction of assets will probably be catastrophic to any notion of reopening for a considerable time .
     
  5. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    21,063
    Likes Received:
    20,773
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Didn't know that. In that position how do you answer the legitimate question "What action is in the best interests of my company portfolio and how well does it fit with the action that is in the best interest of the Railway"?
     
    johnofwessex likes this.
  6. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2015
    Messages:
    9,185
    Likes Received:
    7,226
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Thorn in my managers side
    Location:
    72
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    A good many years ago I was talking to a senior figure in a since restructured and now much better funded heritage organisation as to why the supporting society did not appoint directors to the operating company or make certain posts in the supporting organisation directors.

    His response was that the responsibilities of directors if things went wrong were onerous and it wasnt fair to put 'non business' people in such a role.

    Given this comment I do wonder what is going on and the extent to which those involved understand what is happening.
     
  7. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2018
    Messages:
    3,498
    Likes Received:
    6,845
    Location:
    Here, there, everywhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Maybe, but one of the features of our current age is the unwillingness of people, especially those at the top, to take responsibility for their actions. I don't buy the argument of no responsibility.

    In the end if the WSR goes under we will all have to take responsibility
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2021
  8. Ploughman

    Ploughman Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2008
    Messages:
    5,806
    Likes Received:
    2,649
    Occupation:
    Ex a lot of things.
    Location:
    Near where the 3 Ridings meet
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I knew the 20p bit was correct but wasn't certain about the seconds bit.
     
  9. RailWest

    RailWest Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2011
    Messages:
    3,802
    Likes Received:
    7,438
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    West Country
    I just hope that in due course no-one decides to re-brand the WSR as 'The Quantocks Line"...imagine the furore from those offended by the lack of reference to the Brendons or the seaside etc....

    But seriously, as the WSRA Chairman pointed today at the AGM (see, I was paying attention @aldfort :) ), the (private) West Somerset Railway has been in existence now for more than twice the length of time that it was owned by British Railways and the name does what it says on the can.
     
    Dennis John Brooks likes this.
  10. jnc

    jnc Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2012
    Messages:
    1,511
    Likes Received:
    2,706
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Western Atlantic
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    More clearly and concisely put than my prior response. And as @Sidmouth observed, the PLC's own accountants have opined that "the Railway's future viability is dependent on the business being able to operate profitably, which is not yet forecast ... material uncertainty exists that may cast doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern", so these concerns from "many people" are hardly outlandish.

    Many people feel that the WSR needs major changes to both its overall organizational structure (to improve its governance), and also probably major changes to its operation (likely changes to its service pattern) to make it profitable, but there seems to be strong resistance to making any such changes. In that environment, the accountants' warning is all too appropriate.

    Noel
     
  11. Keith Sims

    Keith Sims Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2015
    Messages:
    224
    Likes Received:
    684
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    retired from volunteering
    Location:
    Somerset
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    Whatever the name changes that may take place, the important fact is that the MHR has seen the value of a re-organisation to protect the assets of the railway. That and its adoption of the S&D suggests that it has a board which is aware of the future and the challenges that it may bring. well done MHR and watercress Line.
     
  12. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2015
    Messages:
    9,185
    Likes Received:
    7,226
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Thorn in my managers side
    Location:
    72
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    One issue I do find surprising is that many on the WSR board are 'younger' and have their future careers to consider.

    Connection with the WSR board that ran a railway into avoidable bankruptcy wont do much for their future employment prospects.
     
    ross likes this.
  13. Downline

    Downline New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2020
    Messages:
    137
    Likes Received:
    288
    Location:
    Somerset
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    One 'young person' is causing all the issues, one 'young person' is a director of the company which has been acting as secretary for the last 2 years, one 'young person' has a sideline business with another of the 'young people'. I think they all know what they were walking into, so wouldn't be worrying about it.
     
    granmaree likes this.
  14. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2011
    Messages:
    25,483
    Likes Received:
    23,713
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Grantham
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    If said accountant is on the board, and also conflicted due to that firm's advisory services to the WSR plc, then there may be some significant questions to be asked by the relevant professional body.
     
  15. nick813

    nick813 Well-Known Member Loco Owner

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2010
    Messages:
    1,503
    Likes Received:
    1,503
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    poole dorset
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I went to the WSRA AGM today. The hall was packed with about 17 WSRA members. Most of The WSRA trustees were present along with WSRA Staff. These officials and Trustees almost out numbered membership present in person. There were some more members on line. The Chair rattled thru the formalities. The highlight was the nominated Trustees. Neither was present. One sent an apology being they were working on The Railway. The other .........I do not know why this person was not on line/in person/no apology. Looking forward to see further discussion on this. They were both voted in as Trustees. I feel quite overwhelmed with emotion that I had to lie down in a darkened room for a considerable time sipping cold water. Gosh......Go WSRA Go!
    In conclusion was not the most stimulating meeting. There were some very good projects run by those with know how otherwise the only word I can think of at the moment to describe the whole event is :impotent.
    Maybe I can find some wiser words to write tomorrow. :) :) :)!!!!!!!!
    BFN!
     
    Greenway and Martin Perry like this.
  16. gwilialan

    gwilialan Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2012
    Messages:
    1,658
    Likes Received:
    3,891
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Out there somewhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    No appearance or apology at the time of their election is awful. What if members wanted to ask them questions? What if members wanted to know who they were? Sorry, if someone couldn't be bothered to turn up or notify the meeting then I think they were not worth the space on the ballot paper.

    And 'Sorry, can't come, working on the railway...' ? How long has the date of the AGM been known? Was it really impossible to swap turns with someone so they could attend?

    Sounds to me that neither could be bothered to turn up, did it really matter to them if they were elected or not?

    For me that does not bode well for the WSRA Board. Does this motivate the Board or promote inaction? More sitting on the fence? Or maybe even ignoring whatever is happening as if they couldn't be bothered?
     
    Will Foster and Greenway like this.
  17. Downline

    Downline New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2020
    Messages:
    137
    Likes Received:
    288
    Location:
    Somerset
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I don't know who these new trustee's are, what they do on the railway, or why one was working on the railway. But considering the circumstances we are all currently living under, and that you would hope a potential WSRA board member has the best intentions of the West Somerset Railway at heart, and there could be a genuine reason why they sent there apologies for the AGM and spent the day working on the railway. Without details from say an AGM report, I don't see why someone should be so disgusted?

    Not bothering to turn up, well there's no excuse for that...
     
  18. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2014
    Messages:
    17,608
    Likes Received:
    11,222
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    St Leonards
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    sounds like an element of " its a forgone conclusion, i have enough votes to be elected so i don't need to attend," Its a common problem across all of the directorships, and trustee ships of the bodies connected to the WSR, the same names revolve from position to position.
     
    Greenway likes this.
  19. gwilialan

    gwilialan Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2012
    Messages:
    1,658
    Likes Received:
    3,891
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Out there somewhere
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    I think the Mid Hants/Watercress has had a dual personality for some time and this change must simplify things for them. The WSR is the WSR no confusion with the name there at all (did someone say Quantock Heritage ???) However, while the WSRA Board may boast about the time the line has existed I would ask what are they doing in future to ensure it continues to exist? Are they looking to the future like the Watercress or just resting on their laurels and saying 'Haven't we done well?'
     
  20. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2005
    Messages:
    9,634
    Likes Received:
    8,300
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Alderan !
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    Yes I am an active volunteer
    are both not heavily linked/ in favour of the plc too . one reacted in their facebook group when matter got a little feisty and withdrew . An interesting CV to enter into the world WSRA
     

Share This Page