COMMITTEES DIVIDE

Graham Vincent’s proposal for a ‘historical committee’ would create too much division within the preservation movement, especially among volunteers and the people who run the railways.

The committee formed would, in effect, be ‘armchair strategists’,

seeking to stamp their authority, probably of a purist nature, over the whole of preservation.

For all Mr Vincent knows, there may have been a group of volunteers willing to restore Welsh Pony for many years, and recently the opportunity arose for them to do just that. They have probably worked thousands of hours between them and after seeing Mr Vincent’s letter, probably think “Well, that’s a kick in the teeth for all our efforts!”

No, it’s not all original. Neither is Flying Scotsman.

If Welsh Pony hadn’t been restored, what would have happened? The committee would have decided that this one is too important and has to stay the way it is. But what if the Ffestiniog needed more motive power to be in their pool of locomotives? And what if the Ffestiniog management felt that this was an ideal locomotive restoration for a number of apprentices to be involved in, and learn from?

It is its decision whether to overhaul, or remanufacture, or even use it for spare parts. It shouldn’t be for some committee to decide.

Yes, they probably know more about which Whitworth size screw thread should be used, but maybe have little or no knowledge of actually running a railway.

Mark Radnedge, Darwen, Lancs