GM appointed
EAST Lancashire Railway (ELR) has appointed Lee Kenny as general manager on a permanent basis.
Mr Kenny stepped into the role in May 2023 as acting GM following the departure of Tracy Parkinson. Previously deputy GM, he has been involved with the ELR for more than three decades, having joined as a volunteer aged 12.
The former diesel traction engineering fitter became head of the traction and rolling stock department 12 years ago.
“Like many other heritage railways, we face challenges in sustainability, fundraising, improving safety, embracing equality, diversity and inclusion into our organisation and continue to grow our community and business partnerships,” said Mr Kenny.
“These will be our focus in the short to medium term.”
A PLAN to reduce costs at one of Britain’s biggest heritage railways will mean voluntary redundancies and the possibility of compulsory job losses, although managers at the Great Central Railway insist they are far from being “at crisis point”.
Having seen losses of around £500,000 for the 2023 financial year, the GCR said it was working hard to get to a position where it can balance its books.
While much of the line is run by volunteers, a number of positions are filled by paid staff.
“As we enter a new financial year, staff are being offered the chance to apply for redundancy with a view to saving £250,000,” said GCR general manager Malcolm Holmes.
“We are not alone in the heritage sector, or indeed the whole leisure industry, in having seen our costs increase hugely over the last four years.
“In particular, the cost of heating and lighting – which
GWR ‘Manor’ No. 7812 Erlestoke Manor will again spend the summer season away from its Severn Valley base.
It will go on hire to the West Somerset Railway as part of a mutual agreement with the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) and the loco’s owning group, the Erlestoke Manor Fund (EMF).
Having returned to the SVR roster over the 2023 festive period, No. 7812 will be hired to the Somerset fleet from May to the end of October. Before its summer stay in the South West No. 7812 will visit the Bluebell Railway for its May 10-12 Branch Line Gala Weekend.
Progress
Meanwhile, the return of No. 7802 Bradley Manor to steam reached a milestone before Christmas at Tyseley Locomotive Works when the boiler was recertified by the SVR’s boiler insurance inspector.
This followed an agreed programme of repairs and testing preparation through the autumn culminating with quadrupled during 2022 – is a substantial unavoidable burden. While these costs have at least stabilised, we are forced to pay an extraordinary price for coal for our locomotives, which has soared. In the meantime, families have less disposable income to enjoy days out.
“We continue to grow, fundraise and diversify our business so we are far more of a visitor attraction than just a train ride, but the time has come where cost cutting can’t be avoided.”
Approach
He added: “Our outgoings are still exceeding our income, a position which is clearly not sustainable in the long term.
“We no longer have the benefit of a rich benefactor who can be called upon to offer support, so we must be able to stand on our own two feet.”
Mr Holmes said compulsory redundancies may be necessary if there are not the cold hydraulic test on November 21 being passed to the satisfaction of the inspector, and the boiler recertified from that date. On December 18, the first fire was lit in No. 7802’s boiler since 2019 in readiness for its steam test the following enough expressions of interest in voluntary redundancy.
Another action taken by GCR plc is the sale of its 50% share in LMS ‘8F’ locomotive No. 48305 to the David Clarke Railway Trust, the official supporting charity of the GCR. Other assets may be disposed of in the coming weeks.
Mr Holmes stressed: “This is absolutely not a crisis situation but a recognition we are not immune to turbulent financial times – and we have to plan accordingly. The railway has ambitious plans to grow in the future.”
Meanwhile, GCR has adopted its 2023-28 business plan, which sets out its ambition and strategies in what has been described in the document as “ambitious but attainable goals”.
Visit www.gcrailway.co.uk to read the document.
Mr Holmes said top priorities for him this year include: Delivering high quality and consistent customer service and enhancing the visitor experience – including the creation of volunteer visitor welcome hosts in line with
Heritage line aiming to balance the books, but stresses there is no financial crisis.
day, when the 4-6-0’s safety valves lifted at 225psi to the satisfaction of all concerned. On December 20, a team of volunteers began cleaning and painting the boiler with heatproof paint while it was still warm. common practice at other visitor attractions
Increasing revenue from on-train dining, cafes, professional services (testing and filming) and family visitors
Maximising revenue from special events
Interpretation and telling the stories the railway has to tell to further enhance the visitor experience.
Improvements
Meanwhile, it is hoped this year to repair and repaint Quorn signal box – plus improve staff accommodation and facilities at Loughborough loco shed.
A planning application for the next stages of physical works for the reunification project is expected to be submitted this summer – funding for which is ringfenced. Furthermore, a five-year plan for the railway’s carriages began in January which, as well as ensuring that the vehicles remain in good mechanical condition, will also, as funds permit, result in improvements to the external condition of the fleet.
EMF said the boiler repairs and cylinder block replacement work is now heading towards completion – the focus now moving towards reassembly of the locomotive.
It is hoped No. 7802 will rejoin the SVR roster later this year.