Stop vandalism, theft and trespass – become a special constable!
MARTINMcGINTYis absolutely right is issue267 to suggest that the preservation fraternityneeds to maximiseopportunities arising fromtheCovid- 19pandemic. However, Idon’t thinkthathis suggestion of not running trains willberegardedbymanyas realistic orhelpful– andcertainly it does not provideabasis for long- termrecovery.
IfIwasonthe boardofa heritagerailwayIwouldwant tobeexamininglikenever beforefivekey elements of our operations.
Dowereally understand just howmuchprofitor loss each componentofourbusinessand everytrain thatwerunmakes? If suchan exercise concluded that 90% of the profitcamefrom20% of the services– Santa specials, diningandfootplate experiences – howwillingwouldwebeto cut backthe rest?
Howcanwemaximise the numberof volunteers– usingthe GloucestershireWarwickshire Railway with over 950 volunteers andjust sixemployees as the exemplar? Havewefallenintothe trapof replacing volunteers with salaried staffto operatealevel of servicethat is‘ playing trains’ rather thanmakingmoney?
Dowefullyunderstandthe state of our infrastructureandthe cost ofmaintainingandrepairing itanddowehaveareserves fund tomeetthose costs inaplanned way?
Havewebecomedonation junkies, relyingonthe often extraordinary generosity of railway enthusiaststoget us out of trouble everytime instead of confronting the real costs of running our railway?
Dowehave anymajorfixed costs thatwehave to payyear in, year out such as lease or rental payments to Network Rail or private landowners and which thereforehave the first call on our income? If so, arewe absolutely satisfied that these payments arevalue formoney?
It is easy in thegoodtimes to fail to prioritisethesematters, and focus insteadontheday today operational challenges, which areofcourse considerableand growing. However, Covid- 19 will test asneverbeforeourheritage railways’abilitytomanage their activities so that incomeexceeds costs. InthatIwish themallevery success.
INADDITIONtobeingarail enthusiast formostofmy80years, I ownupto beingafollowerofheritage lines, having visitedmanythroughout the UK. Age and financial restraintsnow limitmy involvement toreading magazines and watchingDVDsandTV.
Your input regarding trespass, vandalismandtheft inissue267was distressingandfrustrating andthought Iwould share an idea withyou that mightgosomeway in addressing the problem.
Being a retiredNHSambulance clinical instructor, I hadmuch involvementwith training police forces, all ranks, manyofwhichwere special constables, which of course isavoluntary initiative, unpaid but expenses provided.
I amaware thatBritishTransport Policeengage and train volunteers in that role. Itoccurs tomethat someof the spin- offs inhaving such auniformedpresenceonheritage railwayscouldbemultifarious:
1. Thetransportpolicemight swell its ranks with rail enthusiasts.
2. Theheritage railwaysmightget interest fromexisting specialconstables.
3. Special constables can be fromboth genders.
4. Special constables can get travel expense consideration onthe national network.
5. Aspecial constable additiononaCV can beagreat asset indevelopment within the domains of employment ( especially in joining thepoliceservice).
Your articlemirrorsmyconcernonthe matter of rail trespassandmyapproach to youisdoneso in the belief that, in your position, anoverturefromyou to theheadofTransportPolicemight just sparkaninitiativethatwouldbe of mutualbenefit to lawenforcement , safetyandallwhotreasureour heritage railway assets.
JohnGriffin, email
➜ TheSevernValleyRailwayhas renewedits earlierwarning towould- be trespassersover thecomingweeks as it prepares for reopening. Thenew warning followsrecent sightings of peopleonthe track inmultiple locations. While theSVRstoppedits public services in mid- Marchbecause of theCovid- 19 pandemic, thetrack remains in use.
SVRgeneralmanagerHelenSmith said:“Weare runningengineeringand maintenancevehiclesonadaily basis, andour activitiesare set to increase dramaticallynowthatwearegetting the line readyfor ourplanned reopening inAugust. Wewant tosendastrong messagetoanyonetemptedto trespass onour line. Notonly aretheybreaking thelawandputtingthemselves at risk, but theyare also potentially endangering others.
“Weaskanyonewhoseespeople walkingontheSVRline to informthe policebycalling thenon- emergency101 number. Our railwayline, likeanyother, canbeadangerous placeandweurge the public to keepsafeandkeepoff the track.”