SVR-Online Forum (Secure)

terry-moore · Joined: 22 Oct 2004 Posts: 264 Location: HEYWOOD, LANCS

No I wasn't making any comment regarding Rileys being better than the SVR or vice-versa.

What I am saying is that Rileys and other locomotive engineering service providers such as LNWR Crewe have made successful businesses from doing work for the heritage railway industry whereas the SVR has not expanded its locomotive department to a point where it could be said to have a similar financially success business, indeed the department has, over the years, contracted to a point where it hasn't got the capacity to take on large amounts of contract work and it hasn't got enough capacity to service it's own fleet, hence the number of jobs that are being out-sourced.

I have no doubt that the SVR staff that are in situ are as good as any, the problem is there are not enough of them.

Strong words, maybe, but true nevertheless. We need to recognise that a major mistake was made some years ago when the locomotive department was downsized.

There is an opportunity to put things right for the future. I hope the SVR management have the foresight to do what is needed.
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"Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone"

mick_wilson · Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Posts: 490

J-Green · Joined: 17 May 2010 Posts: 807 Location: Herefordshire

Right I'm with you. The difference is that Bridgnorth MPD has got both contract work and home work to do, whereas Riley's and LNWR Crewe are purely contract work (apart from their respective owner's toys, which are not as extensively required as our home fleet). Bridgnorth still does a heck of a lot of contract work, and as I suggested earlier this may be the problem.

But it is in hand. The results of the current shakeups can't be guessed now as we - I - don't know what the outcome of the shakeups will be. But let us hope that they will do as you say and enable Bridgnorth to become an enviable contract works with the capacity to keep on top of the home fleet as well.
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doing nothing in particular but doing it very well.

all opinions are very much my own.

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Andy2857 · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2012 9:39 pm Post subject:

What we have to remember of course is that neither LNWR or Rileys are MPD's maintaining an active heritage running fleet and so the demands upon them are very different. Even SDR engineering, where 5164's wheelsets are going, is not a running depot.

The SVR has missed opportunities in the past to expand/diversify it's operation as an engineering facility, but it has also embraced many. The boilershop, as Jamie mentioned, has a particularly good reputation. The problem always has been understaffing. You only have to look at the dependence of our heritage railways on volunteers, which i maintain is a huge positive, to see that we could do with more "qualified" personnel.

The MPD suffers from lack of investment in the same way that every aspect of our, and many other, railway does. Sadly it still ain't growing on trees!

chris thomas · Joined: 29 Nov 2009 Posts: 333 Location: bridgnorth

from @svrengineering
'5164 is now on its wheels. Big push by volunteers and staff should see a steam test next week.

chris thomas · Joined: 29 Nov 2009 Posts: 333 Location: bridgnorth

from @svrengineering
5164 has fire in for test purposes today.

chris thomas · Joined: 29 Nov 2009 Posts: 333 Location: bridgnorth

http://on.fb.me/QRTweB
5164 on washout and exam and weighing today, after recent tyre turning work.

chris thomas · Joined: 29 Nov 2009 Posts: 333 Location: bridgnorth

from @svrengineering
5164 has been tested light engine today after recent work; all went to plan and the loco is once again a fleet/pool loco

sharpo · Joined: 19 Feb 2006 Posts: 3626 Location: Dark Side

SVR site shows it on CS3 Saturday and BS1 Sunday.
_________________
Sharpo (happily avoiding fakebook & twitter)

Check the blog for all the latest sightings, photos or videos:-
http://www.sharpos-world.co.uk/blog/

Or links from calendar -
http://www.sharpos-world.co.uk/blog/?page_id=5050

hearn_p · Joined: 15 Nov 2003 Posts: 5849

SVREngineering‏@svrengineering

Prairie line up! 5164 on steam test next week

Picture pic.twitter.com/5iMpB6oR

Patrick

hearn_p · Joined: 15 Nov 2003 Posts: 5849

SVREngineering‏@svrengineering

5164 is undergoing Steam test ready for a busy week ahead! @svrofficialsite pic.twitter.com/jlL0Tz82

Robert · Joined: 15 Mar 2012 Posts: 260 Location: Bridgnorth

From SVR locomotives in use week ending 1st March

sharpo · Joined: 19 Feb 2006 Posts: 3626 Location: Dark Side

Just started sorting photos from yesterday - 5164 approaching Ropley.

_________________
Sharpo (happily avoiding fakebook & twitter)

Check the blog for all the latest sightings, photos or videos:-
http://www.sharpos-world.co.uk/blog/

Or links from calendar -
http://www.sharpos-world.co.uk/blog/?page_id=5050

Clarke_T · Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 11:28 pm Post subject:

The old girl has seen a weeks' worth of affection from the firemen and cleaners at Bewdley, in the process of tarting her up for what appears to be her final gala appearance next weekend.
We've so far; stripped and repainted the running plate and wheels, no easy task in the sub-zero temperatures and driving rain and snow this week has bought;

...and after a good polish this afternoon she's ready for this weekend!

There are more bits to do before the gala, but be assured to be astonished by her appearance... She deserves it Smile

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Danny252 · Joined: 01 Oct 2009 Posts: 1197

Cor, shiny or what? Nice job!