[trainman]

QUOTE (dwb @ 28 Dec 2007, 14:09) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I read somewhere recently that the owners of the "Thomas" trademarks are considering a big increase in the license fees that heritage railways pay for having "Thomas & Friends" theme days. If that's true, a valuable source of funds could be soon be out of the reach of smaller groups such as Wisbech.

David

Sadly, this is true, but we do have other plans also connected with Wisbech to add to original plans for the line.

 

[7113]

QUOTE (Dan Hamblin @ 28 Dec 2007, 18:44) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>There are various new requirements such as CRB checks on all people running the railway during a Thomas event, the need for the Fat Controller to go on a training course or have a pre-trained one hired for the event etc. etc.

Is this greed or is it PC gone mad?

Either way it makes life that little bit harder for the smaller societies to turn a profit.

Regards

 

[John Webb]

Britho,
The person on the Mid-Hants was prosecuted for a sexual assault on a small girl as he assisted her onto the footplate. The need for CRB checks was then instituted. It is perhaps an over-reaction, but in this litigatious age one cannot be surprised at that. The illogical side is that all those working on a preserved railway are expected to be checked, even those who do not come into contact with the public at any time.

And the money side of course has an element of greed. But perhaps with a number of lines dropping 'Thomas' events market forces may cause some change in the licencee's attitude?

Regards,
John

 

[trainman]

I could be wrong, but I honestly feel that even though the Preserved lines will lose a certain amount on the 'Thomas' events, they will come up with other ideas to compensate. I mean just take a look at the few that do the 1940's weekends? Okay, they aren't to everybodys taste, but they still bring revenue in.

 

[teleman]

QUOTE (alastairq @ 28 Dec 2007, 11:30) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>''Instant Thomas the Tank'' thoughts spring to mind??

''Toby's'' stamping ground?

[Mock up a diesel shunter??]

Its a bit late but have you seen this ? I took this vid last summer

I have had over 2000 hits hits on it since it was posted on youtube and yes he is diesel but who cares i think its the only standard gauge one running , are there any more out there ?

PS i only put it on as a joke

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Its all because of claim culture in this country. (I'll sue you because you said your son's best friend's mother's rabbit could chew the lolly I bought for my sister-in-law's ex-husband's daughter!, etc, etc.)

Believe it or not, on the real railway, in instances where passengers are required to leave the train via a ladder to track level, staff are told to get a woman to hold the ladder still, whilst people disembark.

Apparently it is to stop women complaining that men are looking up their skirts! Men apparently won't complain about women looking at their backsides and very few think that women are lesbians or could prove it.

Anyway thats going miles off thread.

 

[John H-T]

The current owners of the Thomas name have become incredibly greedy. They are only interested in money. Sadly I think the link between Heritage Railways will end completly in the next year or two. The Thomas experience will be at The Thomas Theme Parks.

 

[frame69]

Im a member at Bodmin and Wenford, here we are doing a bit of shunting just before the diesel weekend...

 

[FUNGUS]

In my neck of the woods we the romney, hythe and dymchurch railway. The east kent light railway (preserved diesel)
The kent and east sussex railway, The bluebell railway. All within easy driving distance. Ive "bagged" the KESR and the RHDR but have yet to visit the bluebell. And the east kent light railway is 5 mins from home and Ive yet to visit! Ho-hum, must get out more!
Steve

 

[Brian Considine]

Hi Steve,

We are fortunate to have the selection in this area that we do - there's also other railway interest things like the Crampton Museum in Broadstairs.

 

[FUNGUS]

QUOTE (Brian Considine @ 3 Feb 2009, 09:54) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi Steve,

We are fortunate to have the selection in this area that we do - there's also other railway interest things like the Crampton Museum in Broadstairs.

Never heard of it! Dont these institutions advertise!!!!!! I finally managed to go to the transport museam in Whitfield just after Crimbo, That was quite interesting but more geared towards cars, buses and ferrys. They do have an 0-6-0 tank engine rusting away in the car park tho!
Steve

 

[7113]

QUOTE (wolverton bloomer @ 3 Feb 2009, 09:35) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>the east kent light railway is 5 mins from home and Ive yet to visit! Ho-hum,

Well worth a visit and I believe also the home of Walmer Model Railway club.

QUOTE (Brian Considine @ 3 Feb 2009, 09:54) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>We are fortunate to have the selection in this area that we do - there's also other railway interest things like the Crampton Museum in Broadstairs.

Another worthwhile way to spend a rainy afternoon, oh and they do advertise as flyers are often available at local shows.

Regards

 

[FUNGUS]

I will visit the east kent light railway in shepardswell. Perhaps they'll let me get in the cab of thier "gronk"! Im over that way beginning of April for work so Ill see if I can pop in.
Steve

 

[7113]

Well they used to do a mean bacon buttie, but last time I was there they didn't have the gronk. (However they do have 30% of the MLV fleet!)

Regards

 

[FUNGUS]

There was a gronk over there two weeks ago cos I was in the area doing a quote and drove over the crossing and a gronk (08), was parked on the line. Interestingly a green coach (Muansell?)was either being delivered on being picked up cos the low loader was using the other crossing gate for access

Steve

 

[John Webb]

'Railways Restored 2008' has 08 108 listed as being on the K&ESR. Try www.kesr.org.uk - there may be more information on their website.

Regards,
John Webb

 

[FUNGUS]

Then my eyes must be playing triks on me cos I couldve sworn I saw an 08 there!
Must be going mad or mistook another loco as being an 08!

 

[PeterPug]

I think the nearest to us is at Paimpol, nothern Brittany. I am planning to visit at the end of June (hopefully my injuries from cycling - a long and painfull story - will permit me to travel by then and it should be before the main tourist season)

Train at Trieux, Paimpol, North Brittany

a scenic route rather than a steam engine paradise. When I first found the information a month or so ago, the engine details were for a 231G pacific, rebuilt last year, and rather interesting. I've just checked again, but this time details are for an 020 020 mallet. Perhaps the pacific is unavailable, and maybe the mallet is worth the trip.

I've sent an E-mail asking what they will have there, but they may have trouble understanding my version of French!

 

[PeterPug]

The loco at Paimpol this year will be the Mallet - somewhat disappointing, but may go anyway. It's probably more suitable for the route, I guess.....

 

[leicester thumper]

i dare say already mentioned, try the Great Central Railway sometimes you can get on the train and not pay at all (trust me i have seen it happen! i havent done it yet!)