The Swanage Railway Trust
- Swanage Pump - General Manager's Newsletter - September 2005
 | The 2005 Summer season passes away…We are now approaching the end of the main summer season. Could I thank all staff who have contributed in any way to the operation of the railway – in particular could I thank you all for the favourable image that almost all of our passengers leave us with. Whilst there are clearly some areas that require further improvement in our organisation and presentation it is pleasing to report that we are able to boast an increase in volunteer numbers this year in several areas of the railway including, amongst others, guards, signalmen, signal and telegraph and telecom staff. It is with some relief that revenue in August improved after a quiet July. From discussions with other local attractions and some heritage railways elsewhere in the country this would seem to be both a local and national trend rather than a Swanage Railway problem. Visitor numbers at many attractions are lower this year than last. It is indeed pleasing against this background to report that so far this year we have seen revenue growth in all areas. ……and 2006 approachesWhilst we have made modest improvements in our financial situation, the worries that we endured with the slowing of business in July (and could have again later in the year) suggest that whilst the business is able to turnover satisfactorily it is, currently, not able to finance improvements from its revenue. For this reason both the Company and Trust Directors have been investigating better ways of managing the project as a whole and bringing clarity to our operations. With this in mind a number of developments will be taking place over the next few months:
In essence this will place SRCL in the position of maintaining and operating the operational railway on behalf of SRT. SRCL will also be responsible for enhancements where there is a commercial return to provide finance. This will leave SRT free to pursue its charitable objectives – including funding improvements or expansion to the railway. It is planned to run a broadly similar public timetable next year although there may be some ‘tweaks’ in the working timetable to accommodate additional workings such as the Driver Experience trains. The fare structure on the railway will also be investigated to ensure that we offer the best structure for our commercial needs whilst keeping it as simple as possible for both staff and passengers. Infrastructure Support GroupHello all, Can you support the Infrastructure Support Group (ISG) – the new working parties that meet to help the Swanage Railway for one day? The ISG has now completed the Swanage picnic area fence, the move of the Swanage Calor gas bottle store and painting of the Cable Con Flat at Herston. However for the 4 main meetings so far (May- Aug), Mike Leach and myself have formed 50% of the attendance. My vision is still to be able to offer support to any station or department on the Railway, most of which desperately need jobs doing. However I can’t do this alone, and am getting bored with people on site saying we can’t get volunteers involved. Please volunteer to help the Railway and have a good working day out at the same time. As a general reminder, we meet every third Saturday; future dates are therefore Sat 17 Sep, Sat 15 Oct & Sat 19 Nov. Roger Orchard in his capacity as Deputy Infrastructure Manager (Stations) is also going to try and introduce a Wed fixture each month. Standby for action! We have done some good in Swanage, but now we need to branch out and be seen to be achieving elsewhere. So I am desperate, and that is the word I use, to pull together this team which could be such a useful tool within the Infrastructure Group. Everywhere you look there are tasks to be done, buildings that need attention and tidying up to be done. You yourself could probably name a few tasks to be done! Would you be keen to lead a small team who could take that or another task on? Would you be able to help run a regular working party, or to help me pull the team(s) together? Or could you just turn up for a few hours and help us out on the day, once a month, or every quarter or once a year? On Sat 17 Sep please meet at Herston Halt at 0830, or as soon as you arrive at the Railway, so we can paint a con flat wagon. That’s the sad looking wagon to the right of the Wagon With Attitude in the photo(!) - for use with the Hyab. We will also undertake a number of other tasks depending on numbers attending. Please be appropriately dressed for trackside work. Tea provided! Planned for October – Clearing “Norden Pad” of stores and rubbish (as part of the Eldon’s clearance project) Planned for November – Work in support of the removal of the Herston (west) turnout, extension of the “siding”, and building of loading dock for Herston Bank. Turnout is being installed at Motala in November as part of NR link. Also a mid-week Tidy Train date TBC. Planned for January – PW works every Sunday I really am keen to enlist your support. Ta Muchly. Frank Working Party DatesThere are a number of groups that meet to do specific tasks on odd days. They are all only too pleased to welcome new people to help – even if only on the odd occasion. A contact name and number is given so that you can check details beforehand if you wish. It would also be great if new volunteers could be brought in who have previously not volunteered because of the regular commitment required for many other jobs on the railway. Infrastructure Support Group (ISG)Meets 3rd Saturday of the month, locations vary. Contact Frank Roberts 07703 566941. S&T WorkMeet most Wednesdays at Corfe Castle. Contact: Dave Cobb Carriage and WagonMeet weekends in the Swanage Goods Shed. Contact Jeremy Weller. First AidA number of staff have attended basic training in First Aid and are now available as appointed persons. Names and best contact details for staff who are able to provide first aid are given below. If you are suitably qualified and could be included on this list please contact Nick Brown on (72)36 or 0192 9475213. Appointed Persons for First Aid
Around the RailwayMarketingFare income for August has come in £11k ahead of budget, but preliminary passenger numbers show a decrease of around 4000. The Santa leaflet has now been published and copies are available from the Marketing Office. The Marketing Committee has approved the basic lay out and design for the 2006 timetable leaflet but the timetable itself has yet to be agreed. The Publicity Unit with its new tent has been in action at the Great Dorset Steam Fair. Plans for the Steam Gala have now been published and a souvenir guide, price £1, is now available. The Bournemouth & Poole Preservation Club have reported that all their plans are in hand for the Vintage Vehicle Rally at Harmans Cross. Following continued pressure from Purbeck District Council it has been decided to move the container from Glen Bower’s field during the winter. RetailShop opening times are Monday to Sunday 10am to 5.00pm. Receipts for the month of August are expected to be as budget. No information yet on the stock book update which is being completed by George Moon. The agreement to keep the designated delivery area outside of station house free of from parked vehicles between 10.00am and 3.00 pm Monday to Friday, is generally working to plan. OperationsWe have managed to get through the summer peak with no real staff problems, although some late turn signalling duties have been a problem, however all duties have been covered. The good news is that we have cut the coal bill and I have hopefully stayed below my budget for August. I have had a meeting with Dorset Fire and Rescue with regard to our procedures regarding lineside fires, this also included who they should inform when they attend a lineside fire. I am pleased to report that we have a very good relationship with the fire service, we have had a very dry summer and they have been called on very few occasions. I will be holding a meeting in early September with the training officers with regard to implementing the revised training programme. Two Maunsell coaches will be arriving on the railway on the 12th & 13th. September and the Bulleid brake will be leaving for Rampart as a return load. Locomotive, Carriage & WagonLocomotives
Coaches BG 92607 is now in the goods shed undergoing repairs to the body panels and overhaul of all the doors. It will then be repainted inside and out. It is estimated that this vehicle will be in the goods shed for 12 weeks. Two sets of five coaches for the daily service trains and the five coach dining train are available for traffic. InfrastructureFollowing a good deal of liaison a draft Waste Management Policy will be circulated to dept managers shortly The ISG has moved the Swanage Calor gas store. There is some painting to be completed, an amount of tidying up to do, 2 no smoking signs to erect and a new combination padlock for the gate to install. The Group has also painted the cable flat at Herston. I am keen to encourage more support for the ISG by raising its profile; I would thank those who have supported it so far. A project form to remove the west turnout at Herston will be submitted shortly (FER). Dennis Gregory has agreed to produce a sketch of the current plan to extend the siding under the bridge, consider how to build a loading dock and in particular confirm clearances. This would appear to be a win/win project: Motala gets a turnout, Ops get a little more siding space, S&T recover equipment, Herston Bank is better placed on the map and the Railway gets better access to the stores area. The turnout is due to be removed w/c Mon 7 Nov 05. Signal and Telegraph Work on painting the Harmans Cross Signal posts has commenced with the Down Starter complete. Painting of the frames of the S&T PMV and BY workshops at Corfe is complete and work has started on the S&T fish van store. Telecom Internal Telephone System & Cable Network: Further work this month on tidying cabinets, re jumpering in the correct colours, and verifying records. Our new test telephones have now been installed in our Swanage Store. This means that we have a direct line from each of the three exchanges, thus enabling us to make calls to and from each exchange from one central point. This will greatly assist in locating faults, and enable us to monitor the performance of the system. Stuart has sorted out the PC in the Infrastructure Office at Corfe for Dennis Gregory, and also got the PC in our Store working so that we can keep some records and info on it. Business Communications Manager & BT Lines: It was verified that the telephone line 481543 in the Park & Ride office at Norden was not being used, and was therefore ceased as from 9th August. It is clear that the Operations Office installation is in desperate need of a review. Having discussed with Ops and everyone else concerned, the best way forward (agreed by Andrew Moore) is as follows:-
These rearrangements should save around £400 a year. Permanent Way 27th to 29th July
w/e 5th August
w/e 12th August
w/e 19th August
w/e 26th August
30th August
Volunteers Tony Trood continued lifting an packing Norden station area. Tom and Norman painting at Corfe. Reg and Terry at Corfe. John Heath has worked with the main track gang.
Dates for commencing work at Motala to be confirmed at w/c 10th or 17th Octoberdepending on Ops Dept. (P.Way under strength due to holidays and sick leave before then) VacanciesContact the named person (via Station House) for more information:
Notes from the Board Meeting on September 3rdMatters arisingCrane – It was reported that the crane was now available for use. Health & SafetyPondarosa Crossing – It was noted that we were fulfilling our obligations regarding this crossing as outlined in a recent letter from HMRI. This would be reiterated in writing to the campsite owners and they would be asked to confirm in writing their opening dates for subsequent years. It was noted that there were some failings in the system for reporting incidents. The system for reporting incidents would be reviewed. The Bomb Scare on Firework Night was reported. The actions taken had been correct and clarification of such events, not covered by the Rule Book, would be issued via the C,S.&E.O. Financial ReportIt was reported that after a shaky July we had a healthy month in August with revenue reaching the budget targets. The overall lack of cash is still a matter of some concern and action is needed to make sure that we reduce the overdraft requirement over this and subsequent winters with the strategic aim of not requiring a substantial winter overdraft – the Finance Review Team has met and made some proposals regarding strategic changes which will be reported in due course. The bank balance at the end of August shows an improvement on 2004 but is still not at the level of 2003. A proposal regarding funding for the overhaul of the second driving car of the Class 117 Unit was discussed and a more detailed proposal will be brought to the next Board meeting. General Manager’s ReportIt was agreed that a long term plan should be drawn up so that all practical and financial implications were clear. It was reported that a meeting with East Dorset CAMRA had been held regarding a Beer Festival next May. I gave a brief update on meetings with David Cole (Avon Valley Railway), Philip Benham (NYMR), Tony Smare (Esk Valley Development Company), Southampton City Council Conservation Officer and Mac Mackintosh (SWT). The two incidents regarding locomotive failures were reported and it was agreed that I should present written reports on both incidents at the next Board Meeting. Provisional agreement was given to the proposed 2006 timetable although there are some matters still to be clarified. It was agreed that a project to install a generator under the Kitchen Car would be considered if a viable business case and project plan were presented formally to the Board. Progress ReportsA request for redundant track from the group at Shillingstone station was received and agreed – subject to discussion with relevant managers. Future Meetings
SRT Open ForumAn Open Forum is held before the monthly meeting of SRT Directors (CoM) in the Rectory Classroom – the next meeting is on 24th September 2005. It will take place at the new time of 2pm. Nick Brown |
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