GM's Christmas messsageWith just a few days to go until Xmas and the end of our running season coming up fast too, I just wanted to say a big “Thank You” to everyone who has helped us to run the railway in 2011. It’s been a year of varied challenges and opportunities, but I’m pleased to report that the railway has held its own despite the ongoing economic recession and we might yet have a record breaking season. So, watch this space! Hopefully, we’ll get to the end of this year without a repeat performance of last Winter’s worst weather, but it’s certainly been worthwhile heating the Santa trains overnight judging by all of the positive feedback we get from happy passengers. Our footplate crews deserve special praise for staying up all night to do this unglamorous, but nevertheless important job. The last few months have again seen many staff suffer from a rampant evil hacking cough, sore throat and flu-like symptoms which has flattened people, but our great teamwork should ensure that every advertised train runs and with minimal delays. The SDR’s team spirit is strong and we aim to make our operation look effortless. Thanks to the efforts of a very dedicated team of staff and volunteers, we came very close to a new record for Santa trains too, with some 7,150 seats sold and 98.89% occupancy which is a brilliant achievement of which everyone should be proud. I have heard recent gossip that some people seem to think that volunteers are not valued by the SDR Trust Board and management which is not the case as I have said many times before. The equation is a simple one – No Volunteers means No Railway! So, if you hear someone talking in this vein whose glass appear to ‘half empty’ rather than ‘half full’, let me assure you that volunteers are valued. Granted, we might not always agree on our priorities and things may be done differently to how some would wish them to be, but seeing it from both sides always helps.
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The bad news is that we cannot afford to be complacent and 2012 looks set to be a hard year for all businesses. As a result, we still need to work hard to stand still. We must continue to push our value for money credentials, stressing the varied full day out we offer with joint tickets, and this is why the “Three Great Attractions, One Amazing Day” is so pivotal to our continued success next year. We have one of the longest running seasons in the country and, with us operating on 259 days in 2012 and some big bills to pay for major infrastructure renewals, such as £50,000 in January alone for the repairs to Southport Leat Bridge near Staverton, we are going to need every penny we can generate. 2012 will be the 140th anniversary of the line opening way back in May 1872, another reason to be proud of the progress of the railway – it may only be seven miles long, but just look at how far we have really travelled in that time! It will also be my 40th year of active work on the railway and the fourth year here as GM – how time flies. Dick Wood, General Manager. 22 December 2011 |
