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My goodness there are some rude judgemental attitudes here. Not one would have the guts to express such arrogant views face to face with the man himself but instead hide behind a keyboard. If Mr Cameron should read such remarks I suspect they would make him even more determined to do his own...

I note from the railway press that there still remains NO reason given as to the resignation of Chairman Dick Fearn & General Manager Julie Jones. Odd that both resigned at the same time too. Mr Fearn was full of himself when in office now he seems to have disappeared & gone very quiet. Why...

There is no such thing as 'best scale' or 'best gauge' because we are all different in our needs, abilities, space & personal preferences. For example: NEEDS in respect of desired finished effect. ABILITIES eyesight & manual dexterity. SPACE that that is available or wishes to be made...

I have two sources for passing on my railway & model railway magazines; 1. A young man with learning difficulties who works in the café of a garden centre that is linked to metal & woodwork workshops for young people with learning or mobility issues. He spotted me reading a model railway...

Wonderful stuff. Makes restoring diddy-little UK engines or faffing about building yet another replica's child's play. I understand though that the USA is less accommodating when it comes to running steam locomotives so there is little appetite or opportunities for replicas.

There is some value in such an idea but one many years away. In view of the current fiscal crisis the priority is to make what exists more viable before embarking on a new project with all the work & cost that it would entail. I also cannot see the 'current' entrenched steam puffer brigade...

Agreed & I wish more organisations that use volunteers would take this view, effectively treating them the same as if paid employees. Which leads me to the fact that if you wish to volunteer you agree to make a commitment to work as best you can, be prepared to adapt, be accountable & above all...

The heritage railway entertainment industry is oversubscribed, costs are skyrocketing, the country is suffering from charity & volunteer fatigue (begging for money and/or asking for free help getting tiresome), those with the time the preparedness & the funds to be able to afford to volunteer on...

Some fascinating feed-back from my OP -ta. To be more positive I compliment the BBR for the most efficient friendly & effective manner with which they recruit volunteers, a MASSIVE difference to the shameful dismissive manner with which I was treated when applying to another southern heritage...

... and you have to buy a platform ticket in order to visit shops/café etc.

Agreed & put better than I was trying to. Bit taken aback that my views are shared, as was convinced I was alone. Given the modesty & charm of other local heritage railways in the area & despite their challenges I have no confidence whatsoever that the BBR will survive or is worth saving. Off...

A one-off as was the A4 & no doubt others including the inevitable pointless endless list of new-builds. Such interest is temporary plus the FS/A4 & their like running tender first at 25mph looked ridiculous.

NOT a hate or rant merely a personal observation from somebody who has been active & managed in the volunteer sector for 30 years & with the BBR for more than (only) 10 years.

VERY VERY blinkered no diesel policy for years. This attitude, an extension of forever boasting about how the railway was 'the first standard gauge restored line' & how it is'100% steam' is a view held of a few influential diehards living in another universe & totally blind to the fact that the...

A £220,000 loss in last financial year, resignation of chairman & general manager, reduction of operating days - another heritage railway in trouble. I wonder if these might be some of the reasons: Many years ago the opportunity of installing a turntable was missed due to internal squabbling...

Despite being a steam lover the thought of a tour does not appeal. Too many shabby-mac males hanging about in the vestibules dodging from one side to another taking photographs or worse selfishly hogging the window with sound/photo recording gizmos. Get a good seat & you're bound to have to...

The responses to my thread have been educational predictable & entertaining assisting me to take a more commercial view of the value of the FC (I'll still avoid the Bluebell like the plague come the visit) & allowing many to air (or should that be show-off?) their extensive knowledge &/or to...

The Bluebell Railway has always been proud to have been the first standard gauge preserved railway yet somewhat smug about being 100% steam making it clear that stooping to diesels would never happen. At last the mainly older steam buff members blinkered in their chuffer train outlook & with...

Let me guess, this could be the foundation for the next rail strike. As for the prospect of staff wearing shorts, how about if they were complimented by long socks, a school tie, some string to go in the pocket & a satchel, not forgetting an Ian Allen book of engine numbers.

As a volunteer on a heritage railway the prospect of a planned visit by the Flying Scotsman fills me not with joy but dread. Already all volunteers & staff are being swamped with endless emails, letters, notes & memos about crowd control, extra parking, lost kids, manning of every square inch...