West Somerset Railway General Discussion

That's a little unnecessary and rude on your part, Robin. I never purported to have the answer to your question; I simply shared some good news on the subject and an accusation of creating a "smokescreen" follows. Blimey, do you honestly wonder why folk question your intentions ?

Perhaps in order to clear this up and avoid any misunderstandings you might clarify your apparent sudden interest in this subject ? Have you contributed to the appeal perhaps ? If so, I could fully understand, and would be very shocked and disappointed if you haven't been updated in some way as recognition for that contribution.

To be clear, I've no knowledge of how the appeal is progressing, I just reported what I've witnessed. I believed that you had a genuine interest and would be pleased to see this in common with the various other people who have 'liked' my post. I perhaps naively attempted to take you at face value like so many have in the past, but I'm now left fearing that may have been a mistake.

We live and learn I suppose.

 

I’m genuinely puzzled by the appeal.

It is for a vast sum, entirely unexplained in the appeal (not said to be based on quotes for work X or Y) for a type of vehicle traditionally hard to raise money for.

The appeal is not targeted at any particular demographic and has no apparent project lead.

Either something new is afoot or it seems destined to be one of those appeals that lurks forever on websites until tidied away.

£40K has been allocated - about 18% of the sum required. What sum has to be raised before work starts?

I’m just puzzled.

But, as you say, you have no answers.

 

I am confused, the first I knew of this was the article in the last issue of Railway Herald which says 51880 is to be taken out of service and replaced with a 117 drive car 51534.
Has that happened?, what is at the other end of the set in the attached image?
Has the work already started and been finished, not started yet or is it another appeal where suddenly all the money has been found?
Seems to me it was a very valid question, even though DMU's do not "float my boat" that much

 

From the WSRA website;

The unit has been assessed and the intention is, following testing, to operate a hybrid DMU set using power cars 51354 (class 117) and 51880 (class 115) whilst car 51859 undergoes a much needed C3 classified repair overhaul.

C3 overhaul scope ( from another source, not the WSRA) ;

C3 heavy overhaul on carriages and EMUs, combining C4 and C6 work.
C4 overhaul of wheels, bogies, brakes and couplings. Carriages and multiple Units.
C6 overhaul of carriage body, including doors and interior repairs. May include a repaint.


Latest UPDATE – JULY 2024 ( From WSRA Website)

Unfortunately power car 51354 has been found to have defective brake cylinders and so is unable to operate until they can be replaced with overhauled cylinders. The planned hybrid set is therefore not able to work this summer.

Power car 51859 has undergone a temporary repair to the roof and bodywork and passed an A exam, which enables it to operate under running maintenance and it will therefore be seen in service on the railway during the 2024 Summer season.

This simply goes to illustrate the precarious nature of the DMU and the urgent need for longer term sustainable repairs to all the cars.



Donations via JustGiving, but no indication of the amount raised to date. £220k doesn't seem an unreasonable figure given the cost of refurbing a Mk 1 carriage. Finding it for a DMU may be a different matter and I suspect will take a bit more imagination than just setting up an appeal account.

 

I am sure most who contribute to this thead will appreciate that there is a small band of volunteers who toil away to run appeals, such as that for the DMU set, and to actually do the work required. We know our comms could be better and more up to date, if only there were more of us to cover all the bases.
There is a trustee meeting upcoming, I may be able to find the time to update after that.

 

Perhaps it’s a case of someone setting aside some time to write/photograph the updates? Yes it would mean that work would take longer, but it would keep donors/potential donors informed and therefore keep the funds coming in.
Just a suggestion

 

You'll understand that:
Actual significant donors to an appeal are written to in person without fail.
Members and volunteers are kept in the loop via the Journal and other internal publications.
Everybody else must rely on our efforts on social media which we try our very best to keep across as much as we can.

I expect you are a member of several charitable organisations, as I am, If I send in a tenner in response to an appeal then I expect no more than very occasional updates via regular official publications. In my case this applies to charities as diverse as Dogs Trust, the RNLI and the NT. In fact I'd be bothered if they had a massive staff writing copy for general public consumption, it's not what I give the money for. compared to all the organisations mentioned WSRA is tiny, as I said we do our best.

 

I was only suggesting a few photos and a paragraph or two on facebook or a website, so people have a regular update (as much as possible for a volunteer organisation) and can see that work is progressing.

If an organisation is writing to donors via snail mail, the use of social media and email could save a lot of money and the updates would be much more up to date than having to wait for a posted journal or newsletter.

 

You mis-understand. It is folly not to write to those who donate largish sums. They deserve more simply becasue of their support. What you demand is to be kept informed and as I said we try as best we can but we are not resourced to be able to do it all of the time.

 

I agree. But, but. I've just been approached by a parishioner asking about progress on some fundraising, and the more general state of finances. They are generous (not stellar) regular donors, and very supportive. The questions were valid and, in responding, I've had cause to ponder the quality of information that we provide back to our supporters. As a bad letter writer myself, it's made me think about whether we provide enough information.

 

I didn’t demand anything.
I made a suggestion that might gain you some more donations.
As ideas are obviously not wanted, I will not make any further suggestions.

 

How about writing to the WSRA?

 

Ask whom? Contact the WSRA!

 

To be honest, it was a passing comment in good faith when the appeal was being discussed.
If aldfort’s attitude is representative of others associated with the wsr/wsra, then I suspect any suggestions would fall on stony ground.

 

The latest set of accounts for the WSRA as lodged with Companies House shows, at page 31 , restricted funds, an amount of £2875 in the DMU repair fund at 31/03/24. The appeal states that since then a total of £40k has been pledged by the WSR and the WSRA. Whether it's £10 or a £1000 some acknowledgment should be made as this may lead to a warm, happy feeling resulting in another donation!

 

For information…. At short notice, courtesy of Great Western and First Rail Holdings, a ‘Castle Class’ HST will be running in service on the WSR each Wednesday in August, starting this week. Departing Bishop’s Lydeard 1100 and returning from Minehead at 1525. Standard WSR fares apply. This is the same unit that ran on the railway at the recent Diesel Gala. Although still certified for main line running it has been withdrawn from the current GWR fleet. For further information on intermediate timings, see www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk

Frank Courtney

 

Somebody asked on another forum if the Castle Class HST is being driven by WSR staff or those from GWR.
I’m interested to know the answer.

 

I would imagine GWR staff with a WSR pilotman

 

I'd imagine the WSR must have some current GWR drivers anyway? Given their location.