On Friday 10th August there was a brief ceremony at Tenterden to officially recognise the return of Petros, our carriage for those with disabilities. The interior of the new look Petros has been designed with input from The Kent Wheelchair Users Group. This has ensured that it is about as user friendly as it could be, both for those who use wheelchairs, but also for those who assist them.
It was a privilege for me to meet with John and Jill, brother and sister of Dave Sinclair.
Dave was responsible for the coach coming to the K&ESR and he fitted it out to become the first coach for the disabled on a Heritage Railway. Even BR were impressed with the Toilet and all BR toilets to this day stem from our conversion all those years ago. Dave was a volunteer in our Carriage and Wagon Department for many many years and his advice was much sought after. Unfortunately, he passed away a matter of months before Petros (named after his own disabled son Peter) was out shopped this year.
Petros.
Saturday, 11 August 2012
Monday, 6 August 2012
Membership Awards
On Sunday the 5th August I had the pleasure of presenting the 50 year awards.
On a mixed day for the weather, with the Olympics in full blast, nine gentlemen arrived at Tenterden who were very special indeed. Between them they had amassed 500 years worth of Membership of the Kent and East Sussex Railway. One, aged 94, is still a regular visitor to the Carriage and Wagon Department - and his opinion is much sought after.
One had travelled many miles, one had travelled just a few miles - but it took him over three hours because of "Public Transport". They all had one thing in common. They were determined to get back to Tenterden.
They were all our Founding Fathers. Some were original members of the preservation society, others even travelled on the line before it was closed to passengers! It was an honour for me to present them with their certificates and they all seemed very appreciative. After the ceremony they had their photographs taken and some went to Rolvenden to be shown around the Loco Works - a far different scene from their first memories.
I asked each of them in turn how much things had changed.
All of them replied that things had changed for the better. So well done to all of our staff, because if we can please those who were here in "the good old days", we have done well. I wrote down some of their comments. Phrases such as "much tidier", "a lot brighter" and "a family atmosphere" leap out of the page at me.
So when it seems that we are having a hard time, step back and look at the bigger picture. They did not give up when Barbara Castle said "no". They kept fighting. The Kent and East sussex Railway has a heart that keeps on beating and we will never say "no", we will just keep plugging away at it. It will all come right in the end.
On a separate note, Loco 6619 is now secured for the K&ESR.
6619 Ltd have raised over £130,000 towards it purchase and has agreed a deal whereby the K&ESR can also purchase shares, spread over a number of years.
6619 Ltd is a company especially formed to try and get the Loco. It did not succeed on it's own - but can anyone recalll an appeal which has raised so much in just a couple of months? Well done to Paul Wilson. He steered negotiations and came up with a deal which is in the best interests Railway.
On a mixed day for the weather, with the Olympics in full blast, nine gentlemen arrived at Tenterden who were very special indeed. Between them they had amassed 500 years worth of Membership of the Kent and East Sussex Railway. One, aged 94, is still a regular visitor to the Carriage and Wagon Department - and his opinion is much sought after.
One had travelled many miles, one had travelled just a few miles - but it took him over three hours because of "Public Transport". They all had one thing in common. They were determined to get back to Tenterden.
They were all our Founding Fathers. Some were original members of the preservation society, others even travelled on the line before it was closed to passengers! It was an honour for me to present them with their certificates and they all seemed very appreciative. After the ceremony they had their photographs taken and some went to Rolvenden to be shown around the Loco Works - a far different scene from their first memories.
I asked each of them in turn how much things had changed.
All of them replied that things had changed for the better. So well done to all of our staff, because if we can please those who were here in "the good old days", we have done well. I wrote down some of their comments. Phrases such as "much tidier", "a lot brighter" and "a family atmosphere" leap out of the page at me.
So when it seems that we are having a hard time, step back and look at the bigger picture. They did not give up when Barbara Castle said "no". They kept fighting. The Kent and East sussex Railway has a heart that keeps on beating and we will never say "no", we will just keep plugging away at it. It will all come right in the end.
On a separate note, Loco 6619 is now secured for the K&ESR.
6619 Ltd have raised over £130,000 towards it purchase and has agreed a deal whereby the K&ESR can also purchase shares, spread over a number of years.
6619 Ltd is a company especially formed to try and get the Loco. It did not succeed on it's own - but can anyone recalll an appeal which has raised so much in just a couple of months? Well done to Paul Wilson. He steered negotiations and came up with a deal which is in the best interests Railway.
Sunday, 11 March 2012
2012 begins
Those who aren't "in the know" might think that the Railway goes to sleep when we finish Santa Services and wakes up 6 weeks later for "Thomas" ®, only to lapse back into a snooze until Easter comes around. However, the amount of work done behind the scenes is just as much in most departments, running or not. For Permanent Way things move at a pace when we have unrestricted access to the track, and this closed season we relayed 900ft of track between Cranbrook Rd Level Crossing and Tenterden Home Signal. For a lot of the time the weather was appalling with rain coming at us horizontally on wind blowing from Siberia. The uniqueness of the P.Way team is that we don't care about the weather as long as we can have a good laugh and get the job done. Rain, heatwave, ice and snow do not dampen our spirits (the rain DID dampen our clothes)- as long as the Teapot is within reach. As a result of the relay, the track is a beautiful ride, something to be proud of. We saw some old faces back with us once again, as well as a couple of newer ones.
Other departments take advantage of the lull in traffic to make maintain the carriages, wagons and locos, refurbish station areas and generally get ready for the first day of traffic.
We look forward to welcoming new customers in 2012 as well as many of our older ones who come back year after year.
Other departments take advantage of the lull in traffic to make maintain the carriages, wagons and locos, refurbish station areas and generally get ready for the first day of traffic.
We look forward to welcoming new customers in 2012 as well as many of our older ones who come back year after year.
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Volunteers
As I sit and look back over 2011, I realise that my first year as Chairman has been blessed with strong income, fantastic Events and great enjoyment for our Customers. This has all been made possible thanks to a superhuman effort by many of our Staff, both paid and Volunteer.
I often hear criticism that we "employ too many paid staff".
"Why don't we get Volunteers to do this job, or that job..."
The answer is simple; there aren't enough Volunteers to go around.
But we are doing everything that we can to encourage new Volunteers to join us, and have had real success in 2011. What we need to do is to continue that success in 2012 and beyond.
So if you can do just one more shift, or are thinking about joining us, go on!
Give it a try, we Volunteers can't all be mad.........
I often hear criticism that we "employ too many paid staff".
"Why don't we get Volunteers to do this job, or that job..."
The answer is simple; there aren't enough Volunteers to go around.
But we are doing everything that we can to encourage new Volunteers to join us, and have had real success in 2011. What we need to do is to continue that success in 2012 and beyond.
So if you can do just one more shift, or are thinking about joining us, go on!
Give it a try, we Volunteers can't all be mad.........
Sunday, 25 December 2011
A few days later...
Passenger numbers and Santa finance figures were E-Mailed to me on a daily basis throughout December.
It became clear in the third week that something special was happening.
In the middle of a recession, we were going to smash our budgeted income and our annual passenger numbers were going to touch the magic 100,000 per annum mark..
As we entered the final Santa week, budgets were beaten and the efforts of every member of staff were there to be seen. Smiling children walking back to their cars carrying their presents. In some cases parents were carrying their smiling children, who were clutching onto their present!
So, how on earth do we top that?
We carry on doing what our Customers want, year in year out.
They want a magical experience for their children and that is what we must provide for them.
The amount of repeat business is the key to continued success. Customers will not risk their precious cash on an unknown product, so we must continue to give them that risk free day out.
So "Santa" will remain basically the same, but for 2012 we also have some great new ideas. We will need them! Matching the success of 2011 will be a tough call.
It became clear in the third week that something special was happening.
In the middle of a recession, we were going to smash our budgeted income and our annual passenger numbers were going to touch the magic 100,000 per annum mark..
As we entered the final Santa week, budgets were beaten and the efforts of every member of staff were there to be seen. Smiling children walking back to their cars carrying their presents. In some cases parents were carrying their smiling children, who were clutching onto their present!
So, how on earth do we top that?
We carry on doing what our Customers want, year in year out.
They want a magical experience for their children and that is what we must provide for them.
The amount of repeat business is the key to continued success. Customers will not risk their precious cash on an unknown product, so we must continue to give them that risk free day out.
So "Santa" will remain basically the same, but for 2012 we also have some great new ideas. We will need them! Matching the success of 2011 will be a tough call.
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Another Year Gone!
We started 2011 with the legacy of our snow affected 2010 Christmas season hanging over us. But for the weather we would have had another good year and to have it snatched away from us at the last moment, was a bitter pill to swallow.
2011 could have gone either way, with a world wide recession starting to bite, our Budgets were always at risk if the downturn came to fruition. Even in the usually protected South East, there were signs of stress. But somehow it did not hit us.
Customers kept on booking and our passenger numbers will be around 100,000 for the year, which is remarkable.
All of this is only possible with the Paid Staffs working flat out and the Volunteers working thousands of shifts. I have been all around the Railway this year and it never ceases to amaze me just how dedicated our troops are. Each one knowing that if they deliver their own little piece of the jigsaw, then the whole picture will be worth looking at. My personal thanks go to every single person who has contributed to another successful year for the Kent & East Sussex Railway - your Railway.
We have been fortunate this year to have received cash donations as well as Volunteer Labour. Bequests have totalled a massive £290k, which has strengthened our balance sheet, and put us in a much stronger position when we come to the moment of truth in 2013 - Bodiam Bond repayment time.
Some say that money isn't everything, and I would wholeheartedly agree with that.
But when there are money worries, there is a cloud hanging overhead.
There are no such clouds at the Kent & East Sussex Railway!
Thanks must go to all who keep our Railway going, make it a top tourist destination in Kent (and Sussex!), and preserve our heritage all in one go.
Happy Christmas to all, and a peaceful New Year.
2011 could have gone either way, with a world wide recession starting to bite, our Budgets were always at risk if the downturn came to fruition. Even in the usually protected South East, there were signs of stress. But somehow it did not hit us.
Customers kept on booking and our passenger numbers will be around 100,000 for the year, which is remarkable.
All of this is only possible with the Paid Staffs working flat out and the Volunteers working thousands of shifts. I have been all around the Railway this year and it never ceases to amaze me just how dedicated our troops are. Each one knowing that if they deliver their own little piece of the jigsaw, then the whole picture will be worth looking at. My personal thanks go to every single person who has contributed to another successful year for the Kent & East Sussex Railway - your Railway.
We have been fortunate this year to have received cash donations as well as Volunteer Labour. Bequests have totalled a massive £290k, which has strengthened our balance sheet, and put us in a much stronger position when we come to the moment of truth in 2013 - Bodiam Bond repayment time.
Some say that money isn't everything, and I would wholeheartedly agree with that.
But when there are money worries, there is a cloud hanging overhead.
There are no such clouds at the Kent & East Sussex Railway!
Thanks must go to all who keep our Railway going, make it a top tourist destination in Kent (and Sussex!), and preserve our heritage all in one go.
Happy Christmas to all, and a peaceful New Year.
Thursday, 13 October 2011
It seems like ages....
It has been over a month since my last Blog.
Since then I've had 3 Board meetings, an AGM for CSRE, Robertsbridge 2020 Ltd and of course, the main event, the K&ESR AGM at Northiam. This was my first, and I don't mind admitting I was a little nervous!
But all of the nerves disappeared as soon as I stood up to speak, and an hour and a bit later it was all over.
As I write, only another 359 days to go to the next one, assuming that I am elected Chairman again in November.
The main running season finished with the last Thomas event and passenger numbers were down on last year. That was a little disappointing as evreyone had worked hard to make it a success.
The Thomas brand is an important revenue stream for us, and we need to look at ways of improving our offer, or find something which will give the same net profit. The latter is a difficult one!
The Hoppers event was brilliant and I spent the Saturday at Bodiam. The attention to detail was noticable and the atmoshere was great. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and it was a finacial success too. The best of both worlds!
I spent a Friday with the T.A. Rail troop on Popes Straight where we replaced a number of rails which had bent rail ends. They were a great bunch of blokes and they quickly got the hang of what was required.
Elsewhere they helped the 4253 Group, cleared Tenterden head-shunt of a lot of scrap - and cut it up too.
The G.W. Railcar group were given a hand and the engines were removed and steam cleaned.
The Railway has benefited from a number of bequests this year - to the tune of circa £240,000. If you read it slowly you will understand just how far this will go to repay the Bodiam Bonds, due for repayment from June 2013 onwards. All future bequests will enable us to make much needed improvements to our infrastructure, perhaps even new Volunteers accomodation!!
Thanks to those who remembered us.
Since then I've had 3 Board meetings, an AGM for CSRE, Robertsbridge 2020 Ltd and of course, the main event, the K&ESR AGM at Northiam. This was my first, and I don't mind admitting I was a little nervous!
But all of the nerves disappeared as soon as I stood up to speak, and an hour and a bit later it was all over.
As I write, only another 359 days to go to the next one, assuming that I am elected Chairman again in November.
The main running season finished with the last Thomas event and passenger numbers were down on last year. That was a little disappointing as evreyone had worked hard to make it a success.
The Thomas brand is an important revenue stream for us, and we need to look at ways of improving our offer, or find something which will give the same net profit. The latter is a difficult one!
The Hoppers event was brilliant and I spent the Saturday at Bodiam. The attention to detail was noticable and the atmoshere was great. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and it was a finacial success too. The best of both worlds!
I spent a Friday with the T.A. Rail troop on Popes Straight where we replaced a number of rails which had bent rail ends. They were a great bunch of blokes and they quickly got the hang of what was required.
Elsewhere they helped the 4253 Group, cleared Tenterden head-shunt of a lot of scrap - and cut it up too.
The G.W. Railcar group were given a hand and the engines were removed and steam cleaned.
The Railway has benefited from a number of bequests this year - to the tune of circa £240,000. If you read it slowly you will understand just how far this will go to repay the Bodiam Bonds, due for repayment from June 2013 onwards. All future bequests will enable us to make much needed improvements to our infrastructure, perhaps even new Volunteers accomodation!!
Thanks to those who remembered us.