west somerset railway somerset railway plc 4. business planning frank courtney bishops...
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West Somerset Railway plc West Somerset Railway plc
West Somerset Railway
Stakeholders’ Review - 28 Oct 2017
West Somerset Railway plc West Somerset Railway plc
Agenda & Introduction
1. Welcome, Intro & update Alan Nicholson 2.00-2.05
2. 2017 Operational update Paul Conibeare 2.05-2.35
3. Infrastructure update Ric Auger 2.35-3.05
4. Business Planning Frank Courtney 3.05-3.15
5. My first 3 months in Chair Alan Nicholson 3.15-3.30
6. Q&A session All 3.30-3.55
7. Close Alan Nicholson 3.55-4.00
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Introduction
. July 29th 2017 became Chairman of WSR Plc
. July 20th 2017 as Chairman designate held workshop with
fellow Directors on our initial thoughts for our way
ahead. Notice issued on outcome.
. My first priority -BL Coordinator for Flying Scotsman
. My thanks to everyone involved in the FS Event
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Chairman’s update – Board changes
since 25th Feb 2017 • Commercial and Marketing Director appointed
• Volunteer Development Director appointed
• Operations Director appointed
• Finance Director stepped down at AGM
• Chairman resigned
• Strategy and Planning Director resigned
• Chairman appointed
• Business Planning Director appointed
• Head of Finance became Associate Director
• Safety Audit Director resigned
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2. 2017 Operational update
Paul Conibeare General Manager
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March • Special Events Planning
Team (SEPT) received an
HRA award for planning S&D
Gala
• Engineers from Bombardier
enjoy a working weekend on
the WSR
• New website goes live
• Large Prairie no 5199 arrives
in West Somerset
• The 'Southern Gateway'
consultation process
launched
8
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April
• Baroness Sal Brinton, President of
the Liberal Democrats,
congratulated the railway on its
newly outshopped wheelchair-
accessible carriage no W4875
• Richard Jones, appointed to the
new post of Head of Operating
• Spring Steam Gala with BR
Standard Class 4MT 2-6-0 no
76017, BR Class 2MT 2-6-0 no
78018 & LMS 4F 0-6-0 no 44422
• WSR & Owners Group agree long
term hire of 0-6-2T 6695.
9
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May
• BBC One's Antiques Roadshow
visits at Minehead Railway 17
May 2017.
• Flying Scotsman locomotive
visits with a charter train.
• ‘Somerset Explorer’ High
Speed Train to Bishops
Lydeard.
• The Friends of Minehead
Station complete Minehead
Promenade fence.
10
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June
• Diesel Gala & Rail Ale Trail – 3
bars at Minehead, Stogumber
& Bishops Lydeard
• ‘Buses of Somerset’ resume
services at Bishops Lydeard
• WSR Wagon Restoration
Group is formed.
• LMS 4-6-2 no 46233 Duchess
of Sutherland visited with the
Whistling Ghost V Tour
11
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July
• Watchet Afternoon Explorer
services commence.
• BBC’s John Craven visits the
WSR
• Colin Howard departs WSR for
retirement in France
• LMS 4-6-0 46100 ‘Royal Scot’
stables at bishops Lydeard
12
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August
• USA 2-8-0 no 6046 to return
to West Somerset in 2018
• A new poster commissioned
for the Railway.
• Volunteer Signal & Telegraph
team make rapid repair to
damaged point rodding at
Blue Anchor
• Major rail replacement
programme instigated.
13
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September
• Flying Scotsman visit - by far the
largest event ever organised by
the West Somerset Railway,
carrying in excess of 10,000
people.
• GWR High Speed Train formed
the 'Cotswold Line Promotion
Group' charter from Worcester
to Minehead & return
14
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October
• Friends of Minehead Station
procure original Minehead
Signalbox nameplate.
• Richard Maw, the new PLC
Head of Finance will be the
new Share Registrar supported
by Anna Forster.
• IE department vacancies –
• Fishplate and flange gang
• Bridge maintenance team
• Crossings gang
15
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EVENTS - 2018
• Spring Steam Gala – 22nd to 25th March 2018
• Diesel Gala – 8th to 10th June 2018
• Late Summer Weekend 1st & 2nd September 2018
• Autumn Gala – 27th to 30th September 2018
• Winter Gala – 29th & 30th December 2018
16
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3. Infrastructure Update
Holding the Line
Ric Auger
Bishops Lydeard-Southern Gateway Project
• External consultant-inward investment
• Master site development plan phase 1
• Children's play area and additional car parking capacity
• Toilets and existing car park
• Emerging plans and drawings for phase 1 including Brunel House
Williton Site Development Group re-established
• PLC core planning brief agreed
• Revised brief received from WSRA
Taunton to Bishops Lydeard link
• Department for Transport Community Rail Innovation bid
• Proposals for pilot project
Business Plan refresh
Functional strategy development
• commercial
• infrastructure
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WHAT IS WSR INFRASTRUCTURE?
• Buildings
• Roads, Level Crossings, Drainage, Fences,
Paths & Parking Areas
• Signals & Telegraph
• Bridges, Culverts, Cuttings & Embankments
• Permanent Way
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Andrew Young – Head of Infrastructure
Permanent Way Team
S&T Team
Land Management Team
Volunteer Permanent Way Team
Volunteer S&T Team
Volunteer Refurbishment & Maintenance Team (RAMS)
Volunteer Track Patrol Team
Volunteer Civil Engineers and Surveyors
Permanent Way Consultant
Bridge Assessment Consultants
Ric Auger – Infrastructure Director
WHO ARE WSR INFRASTRUCTURE?
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• tree clearance
• wet bed repair
• building maintenance
• Tamping
• track drainage repairs
• fishplate oiling
• MD track renewal
• Seaward Way crossing renewal
• Leigh Wood crossing improvements
• check rail to Watchet curve
• masonry bridge maintenance
• Avill River bridge Replacement/repair
• weed spraying
WSR INFRASTRUCTURE
Work Programme Winter 2017 – 2018
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WSR INFRASTRUCTURE
Work Programme End of 2017 & 2018
• CH drainage
• Stogumber Station embankment
• Black Monkey Bridge strengthening
• MD – DR relay & steel sleeper replacement
• building surveys
• rail replacement
Principal Items
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WSR INFRASTRUCTURE
Issues
• Funding
• large locomotives
• fire fighting not systematic upgrading
• Cant reduction
• additional permanent way gang
• rail type – bull head v flat Bottom
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4. Business Planning
Frank Courtney
Bishops Lydeard-Southern Gateway Project
• External consultant-inward investment
• Master site development plan phase 1
• Children's play area and additional car parking capacity
• Toilets and existing car park
• Emerging plans and drawings for phase 1 including Brunel House
Williton Site Development Group re-established
• PLC core planning brief agreed
• Revised brief received from WSRA
Taunton to Bishops Lydeard link
• Department for Transport Community Rail Innovation bid
• Proposals for pilot project
Business Plan refresh
Functional strategy development
• commercial
• infrastructure
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• Fill trains!
o Relentless emphasis on publicity and sales
o Flexible charging structures
o Continue to push block bookings
• Remember the critical importance of quality in every aspect – including
catering, parking and toilets
• Understand our market better
• Always recognise that our staff and volunteers make it happen
Short Term:
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• Keep the timetable under review
o Consider and trial timetable innovations
• Remember the importance of new things to see
• Plan infrastructure and rolling stock development
• Regular “big events”
Medium Term:
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• Significant large scale developments:
o Southern gateway???
o A new attraction (Williton?)
• Plan station maintenance and improvement
• Take advantage of developments quickly
• Develop new partnerships
Long Term:
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5. My first 3 months in the Chair
Alan Nicholson
Bishops Lydeard-Southern Gateway Project
• External consultant-inward investment
• Master site development plan phase 1
• Children's play area and additional car parking capacity
• Toilets and existing car park
• Emerging plans and drawings for phase 1 including Brunel House
Williton Site Development Group re-established
• PLC core planning brief agreed
• Revised brief received from WSRA
Taunton to Bishops Lydeard link
• Department for Transport Community Rail Innovation bid
• Proposals for pilot project
Business Plan refresh
Functional strategy development
• commercial
• infrastructure
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My First 3 months in Chair
To become different from what we are, we must
have some awareness of what we are.
Eric Hoffer (1902-1983)
American philosopher and author.
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My First 3 months in Chair
So what are we that is important to recognise:
- We are a people based organisation
Recognition is key.
- We are a small business (around 50
employees and under £10million turnover )
Not a multinational or in the FTSE 100.
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My First 3 months in Chair
- We operate in the heritage, preservation and
tourism market in a highly competitive market.
- The days of running a large railway set on
enthusiasm alone have gone.
- Need to run as a business with appropriate
skills and facilities in all that we do.
- Ensure safety is regarded as our highest priority
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My First 3 months in Chair
To work together more closely as a one
railway organisation.
Appreciated.
Eliminate the ‘them and us’
Consultation and faster decision making
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My First 3 months in Chair
So what are the key areas that need to change
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My First 3 months in Chair
The Board and Management must work closer
together.
We need a structure that is better
suited to our purpose and challenges we face.
Greater cohesion across the railway
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My First 3 months in Chair
To recognise the dedication of our staff and volunteers
-through thanking them for their efforts
-through the need for improved communications
-through consultation and involvement
-through ensuring a safe and enjoyable
environment to work in
West Somerset Railway plc West Somerset Railway plc
My First 3 months in Chair
We need a revised Business Development Plan
- vision and mission based on the strategic direction
we decide to go.
- greater commercial focus on future business
objectives to provide a product and brand to
meet future market needs.
West Somerset Railway plc West Somerset Railway plc
My First 3 months in Chair
- ensuring we develop the infrastructure,
engineering, operations and support functions in
a planned manner to
enable that product to be supported.
- an inward investment plan
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My First 3 months in Chair
- We need a clear view of our values that makes
our railway fit for purpose.
- We need to fully understand, implement and
monitor our statutory duties.
West Somerset Railway plc West Somerset Railway plc
My First 3 months in Chair
We need to work more closely and develop our
partnerships within the WSR family together
- WSRA
- WSSRT
- DEPG
- Friends of Stations
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My First 3 months in Chair
We need to continue to develop our relations with outside
bodies
- S&DRT
- Parish, Local and County Councils
- GWR
- Railway Charter Companies
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My First 3 months in Chair
Conclusion
Enormous challenge lies ahead for us all.
The status quo is no longer an option.
Look forward to advising you where we are in 6 months
time.
Thank you.