West Somerset Railway General Discussion

And the seaside destination....at the start of the South West Coastal Path which not all others can offer...

 

I remember the point Andy Norman made about length of the line and the challenges it gave the footplate crew, and how it recreated what it must have been like being a railway man in the old days.

But you are on the train for a good long time, there are two pretty decent climbs in each direction, views of hills, woods and the sea.

In my view coming home in the evening with the shadows lengthening as the train climbs from Williton to Crowcombe is without compare. and pulling away from Crowcombe in the dark is like the real railway.

 

I agree with all the above! The line actual goes somewhere interesting, in fact it goes to several very interesting destinations where you could spend a day: Watchet, Dunster and Minehead, so take your pick. You can undertake a proper railway journey. It has decent gradients and such a variety of scenery. Deep countryside and hills, then suddenly you burst onto the coast with views (hopefully...) right across the Bristol channel. And it's mostly the original broad gauge buildings from 1862 and 1874, mostly unspoiled. I have just finished compiling a new book with the Middleton press on the WSR and this has reminded me just how beautiful the line is. I have been a volunteer on the WSR for 40 years and I never tire of it!
Ian Coleby

 

More good reasons for visiting. Will have to persuade SWMBO that we should call in on the way to Devon. It's been a few years since we last visited.

 

Well there's a few good reasons for visiting the WSR, after all you are fulfilling your hobby. preferably sharing it with family or friends. I doubt you will come across any "politics".

 

Lots of good reasons to visit the WSR at the upcoming Spring Steam Gala.

Three visiting engines, one of which is new to the line - 2999 Lady of Legend. One old favourite fresh from overhaul, having last visited in 2015 - 7812 Erlestoke Manor. And a returning visitor that hasn't been seen at the WSR for almost 20 years and hasn't left it's home railway since outshppping from overhaul in 2015 - 34027 Taw Valley.

Not forgetting four of the homefleet, faithful WSR Mogul 9351, flagship 7828 Odney Manor, 5199 on her last Gala appearance before overhaul and new member of the fleet 9466 returning to traffic after repairs.

Unfortunately previously announced 4953 will not appear due to loco shortage at EOR. Repairs on 7822 are also not yet complete so she will only feature on static display.

An intensive timetable now with locomotive allocations is planned and available to view online for free now -

https://www.west-somerset-railway.c...s/file/PTT_SSG_2023_Website_with_locos(1).PDF

We'll also have expresses, locals, goods trains with brake van rides, turntable demos, photographic shoots and much more.

Tickets are available at advanced discounted rates here - https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/events/detail/spring-steam-spectacular-2

Only a week to go now!

 

How nice to get back to talking about all that is good about the WSR.

It is indeed a challenge to drive and to fire. I recommend enthusiasts sit in the coach behind the locomotive so you can hear the engines working. We are very often at or close to the load capacity for any given locomotive. Feel free to judge how well the fireman is doing to keep it on the mark but not blowing off. Listen to the beat of the engine at full power, sniff that distinctive smell in the air, not many other places you can do this while travelling through some amazing scenery. Do chat to the volunteers if you have the time. Even loco crew try to get into the platform early on the first departures of the day and often have time for a chat.

 

October 30 last year I came back on the lunchtime train from Minehead. It was a damp and miserable day with horrible light drizzle and the engine found Washford bank a struggle. We were sat in the leading coach and I thought we were going to stall, but we kept going.... Just. Almost came to a stand, but just about kept moving. Lots of slipping as we crept up the bank. Must have been a massive relief for the crew the we arrived at Washford station. I can't remember who was the crew, but they did a fantastic job, real masters of the footplate. A real railway!
Ian C

 

And there you have why many of us regard the WSR as an important preserved line.

 

And grieve when it withdraws its HR policies, threatens physical violence, fails to abide by contracts, operates kangaroo courts, etc.

 

Perhaps some pain was required to get the enterprise back onto an even keel, the strong financial stability now achieved contrasts strongly with other heritage operations where I suppose any donations e.g. the SVR are better directed to maintain the GWR heritage nationally.

 

Do you have evidence of financial stability? Is it publicly available? How has it been achieved without the many millions that were said to be needed?

 

I think the answer to your question might be yes. Since the WSR is a plc the information you seek can be found on the companies house web site.
Of course, as I suggested elsewhere, as a shareholder you'd not only get this information but also the AGM proceedings and the chance to vote and ask questions. As a member of one of the charities that support the railway you'd get similar information about what those charities are doing and how they are doing it. You'd have the chance to vote on who should be a trustee and you'd have the chance to give voice to your own ideas. When I was WSRA chair I welcomed members letters and I am certain my successor still does.

 

It's one of the best.

 

Always room for improvement though.

 

I can't think of a heritage line anywhere where there is no room for improvement.

 

Deleted

 

I've no axe to grind in this debate, but if you're looking at CH for evidence of financial stability then the auditor's report in the most recent accounts "indicate a material uncertainty exists that may cast a significant doubt on the Railway's ability to continue as a going concern".

 

100% Correct and the chairman in his report to shareholders does not seek to hide the fact, makes clear it was a year of survival, provides a reason why (the pandemic) and seems to have survived a vote to accept the report and accounts at the AGM. Before we rush to judgment let's see what the next report and accounts show?

 

A comment relating to the previous financial year in which trading conditions were far from normal. Come forward to 2023 & consider how may heritage railway PLC accounts will likely carry auditor warnings relating to 2022 trading.

2022 was not entirely normal but it was much closer to being that than the previous two years. The new & ongoing normal is rather different to the one of 2019 & before.