new sdrC Chairman ‘aCtively lookinG’ at runninG more enthusiast trains

You might have noticed the small news story last time, that Steam Dreams Rail Co. has a new chairman – David Buck, owner of ‘B1’ No. 61306 ‘Mayflower’. One thing to say straight away is what this does NOT mean: that the promoter’s founder Marcus Robertson will be disappearing. In fact Marcus remains the biggest shareholder, and after the announcement he told me: “I imagine, instead of seven days a week, I might be thinking about this for 5½ days.” “I’m in my sixties and I’ve been doing it for 19 years – it’s a bit like having a safety valve. There’s no hidden agenda.” Marcus, the man behind Steam Dreams when it was launched all that time ago, is very positive about both his new man’s business acumen and focus on customers. That – of course – is as it should be. Yet what does David Buck himself have to say? “I’ve been running a business for many years, and this combines my passions with what I understand.” “The passengers are key. Everything revolves around what the passengers – who are paying very good money – want.” “Steam on the main line doesn’t exist for our amusement – it exists because customers pay for it. “It’s about a fresh pair of eyes.” All good stuff – but where, you may be wondering, do gricers fit into this? “We want to help the enthusiast – we’re all enthusiasts. I’m actively looking at how to include more one-off enthusiast specials in the programme.” That’s something we’ll come back to, I’m sure…