West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Deleted.

 

i picked up a post dated cheque this evening....

 

Informational post hopefully:

Given that we have postal strikes I wanted to let all WSRA members know that you can log into the WSRA web site (assuming you've registered) and get all of the AGM information. You can also vote online if you would like to.

 

Peace? Maybe. Or it could be that the most vociferous have been silenced (by fair means or foul?) while the majority of the others have just got sick and tired of being ignored or treated with contempt (or possibly simply lied to?) and have given up trying to help, feeling they are wasting their time trying to help the management stop making repeated mistakes etc. I wonder how many non volunteers are no longer supporting the railway in any meaningful way? Or worse than that, I wonder how many previous supporters are simply watching and waiting to see if/when the management start running off with their toys - a' la Llangollen?

 

Just watched the D.M.U. arrive at Plat 1 at Bishops Lydeard, a grand total of 4 passengers got off and transferred straight across to Plat 2 to get the steam service back .

 

If the weather there is anything like it was here at lunch-time, I'm surprised anybody is out and about at all ! I needed a DUKW rather than than a 4x4

 

Raining at 3° away from parallel with the ground here most of the morning. Slightly breezy too.

Have the schools gone back yet?

 

Yes

 

In the IOW at least replaced by coach parties of the elderly. Yesterday was busy at times. (Sorry for the thread drift but don't kid yourself there is no business to be had).

 

I had a firing turn yesterday, passenger numbers look very good given the weather was less than great. Well over 50% loading on the trains I saw.
Last week one service I fired on was standing room only.
At this time of year the 10.00 ex MD is sometimes lightly loaded. We are on blue timetable so I don't fully understand the comment #42905? (The DMU was planned to run in a spare path as it was booked for training turns AFAIK. )

 

The DMU was not in public service today. It was being used for Driver Refresher runs.

 

Speculation? Not unusual here or most social media sites.

 

No, not speculation. I was on duty at Crowcombe Heathfield station today and can confirm without doubt that the DMU was being used on training runs.

I would also say that the first two down trains were well loaded, especially the 1230 BL - MD which had two coaches fully occupied for people who had booked fish and chips. So that's in the region of 400 passengers travelling today.

 

No speculation by you Ian, speculation by others.

 

My appologies to all, i obviously mistook the elderly lady and gent who got off together and the two older gents who also alighted as members of the public.

 

They are the latest intake of volunteers !

 

Ok - I can see the humor in this but it highlights a serious problem for the heritage movement. Namely the recruitment and retention of younger volunteers.

 

It would help if it weren't so difficult to allow under 18s to work (not a dig at WSR, no idea what arrangements there are there, just a general frustration!).

 

It is hugely frustrating, I speak as a parent and an enthusiast who was fortunate enough to be able to start volunteering in my teens.

If we want to continue into the future we have to find a way to overcome these obstacles, some of which I think might be an over cautious approach rather than an actual legislative obstruction. (Though there are the latter too).

 

Some railways have very successful youth groups and that is the way foward