Trust Council of Management summary – October 2009

At our meeting held on 31st October Steve Doughty was elected Chairman of the SRT Council of Management and Liz Sellen was elected Deputy Chairman. The Trust's policies were amended and it was agreed that going forward the Trust Chairman should at all times be a director of the Swanage Railway Company. Peter Sills was subsequently appointed Chairman of the Swanage Railway Company (SRC). Steve Doughty and Liz Sellen were also co-opted as directors of the SRC. Please see the separate statement on the Trust's website for full details of this.

A full review of the Trust's policies documents took place and a number of changes made. The statement of principles regarding the future introduction of Swanage - Wareham train services was added to the document.

The purchase of BR Standard 2-6-4 locomotive no. 80078 by the Trust from Southern Locomotives Ltd was considered to be unaffordable and would not take place. The cost and practical considerations of overhauling the engine when its boiler ticket expired in late 2009 were now being assessed by the SRC. We are committed to retaining this locomotive at Swanage.

Other rolling stock - the overhaul of Bulleid coach no. 5761 was progressing well offsite at Ramparts in Derby. Additional funds to complete this coach were agreed by the Trust Council. We hope that two fully restored Bulleid coaches will be available for use at the 2010 steam gala. Ways of progressing the cosmetic restoration of the diesel shunter 'May' are being progressed and a detailed strategy for moving long term coach restoration projects to offsite storage at Wytch Farm is being drawn up. The SRC Board have confirmed that the Met Cam 'Pullman' no. 347 was likely to be surplus to requirements and its sale was being evaluated. One of the Class 108 DMUs is being sent off-site for light overhaul to include re-covering of all seats. The Council agreed that sufficient moquette should be purchased to finish the seats in both DMUs.

The Trust Council agreed that suitable new computer equipment should be purchased for use by the Library and Museum Group at Corfe Castle station.

A cost\benefits review of the premises the Trust leases at 103 High Street is taking place ahead of a decision on whether to sign a new three year lease there.

We endorsed the 200 Club's proposal that their next funded project should be the construction of a new waiting room on the down platform at Harmans Cross station.

It was agreed that the current five year Swanage Railway strategic plan (2006-2011) should be fully reviewed, updated and published internally on the Railway.

Following the granting of formal planning permission for the construction of an eight coach carriage shed at Herston South, detailed plans for the ground works and construction of the shed are being drawn up. It is hoped that work will commence in early 2010.

Mark Woolley

Trust Secretary