Voting for our Railway Preservation donation

[IanD]

I know very well what it is and what they are preserving, I just do not think it is "revolutionary".

Again that is YOUR opinion but clearly not one that is held by other members.

Speak for yourself. I can't seem to muster any enthusiaism for this project whatsoever. Destined to end up in a dusty shed at Didcot visited only on days of precipitation - or by people looking for the loos. Again, just MY opinion.

 

[Trainfan344]

Again that is YOUR opinion but clearly not one that is held by other members. And I fail to see how the North / South thing makes any difference.

Because as well all know, All the money has to stay in the south. :roll:

Nice to see Swindon winning the money.

Slightly disappointed with GCR - but only because it won last time. Still a worthy winner!

 

[class175]

Well done to Swindon Panel

As an aside: for those of you who feel so negatively: why not go and volunteer for the project/projects you wanted to win, or alternatively offer to set up a standing order/direct debit donation? Thought so, there's always next year where your cause can win funds raised though here, or by another appropriate method.

 

[IanD]

As an aside: for those of you who feel so negatively: why not go and volunteer for the project/projects you wanted to win, or alternatively offer to set up a standing order/direct debit donation?

Perhaps we already do.

 

[krus_aragon]

My vote was for the Swindon panel, as it was the last time as well. My motivations were a personal interest in signalling technology, and a feeling that Swindon's technology represents an easily overlooked era preservation-wise, much like diesel & electric preservation are overshadowed by steam.

I thank the forum management for holding this poll and offering this donation. I hope they will be able to release detailed results of the poll, as I recall they did last time.

Finally, for those expressing surprise or disapproval at the results of the poll, may I remind you that Swindon was the runner up last time? I doubt Peter Snow's swingometer would be in much of a flap about it.

 

[Nippy]

Well done Danners and the Swindon Panel team. It would be interesting to see the vote.

 

[IanXC]

As per last year we will be making the details available, although there will be a short delay whilst the technical aspects of this are carried out.

 

[MarkyT]

I'm very glad Swindon won. I designed many alterations to this type of panel when I was in the Reading signalling drawing office back in the 1980s. Not Swindon itself but similar installations in South Wales which are also being replaced very quickly now by new VDU control centres. One of these Henry Williams panels will now survive and the simulator project will bring it to life. It is a very innovative project and the hard work already put in by the members is outstanding. It will be displayed in the new building at Didcot alongside other historical signalling artifacts to give it context and a story, and I expect it will become a popular exhibit. As to the north/south debate, a northern society could have proposed a similar panel preservation project but the fact is Swindon is the only one as far as I know, so I don't think it's a N/S thing at all. Panel Signal Boxes are disappearing fast all around the country and I think many engineering and operating staff whose entire careers may have revolved around this technology want to see at least one preserved. They have spoken through this vote, and as a member myself, I want to thank them all warmly.

 

[IanXC]

As per last year we will be making the details available, although there will be a short delay whilst the technical aspects of this are carried out.

You should find the poll results are now displayed at the top of this thread.

 

[backontrack]

Congratulations to the Swindon Panel Society. Although I would not have voted for them and I would have preferred the money to go to Fimber or Grantown, in the end they've one it fairly, so good luck to them.

As for the Grand Central one, we had that last year!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Speak for yourself. I can't seem to muster any enthusiaism for this project whatsoever. Destined to end up in a dusty shed at Didcot visited only on days of precipitation - or by people looking for the loos. Again, just MY opinion.

I agree with this. If the money went to Grantown then there would be a big boost for tourism and possibly commuting as well. It would certainly be more noticeable.

 

[krus_aragon]

Given that the top two from the last poll have also topped this one, it does raise a question for forum staff if (when!) finances allow another donation to be made. Do we want to share the wealth around other projects in the future, or continue contributing to those projects that have strong continued support on the forum?

 

[IanXC]

Given that the top two from the last poll have also topped this one, it does raise a question for forum staff if (when!) finances allow another donation to be made. Do we want to share the wealth around other projects in the future, or continue contributing to those projects that have strong continued support on the forum?

You do indeed raise an interesting question. I would welcome views on this (perhaps by PM) as should we be in a position to make a further donation it would be good to have an understanding of the views of our members.

 

[DarloRich]

It was quite a difficulkt chpice as many of the projects were boarding on the wibbletastic end of the spectrum. Although £1000 for one of them might let them create a professional website and increase funding!

I went for the GC bridge. Again. Mainly because I think it is great project with proper professional backing and expertise. I would be open to it being excluded in future if it meant the money could go elsewhere.

Perhaps have, say the £1000 to go to a certain class of small/start up/little known projects to obtain maximum bang for buck and £500 to a bigger project. I would want them to be serious projects though!

 

[TheBeard]

Congratulations to the winning panel. They were ALL worthy projects

 

[Ironside]

Well done to the winning bids, and hope the extra exposure can help the other bids.

 

[backontrack]

Well done to the winning bids, and hope the extra exposure can help the other bids.

Good point. Although we're not that well known...

Mind you, we're certainly the biggest transport forum in existence though, which is saying something!

Anyway, I made a map with all the results on it, mapped out, as HMS Ark Royal requested. Sorry about how messy my writing is, but I was using my cursor (not a touchscreen device). I used Photoshop for this map.

KEY:

Red dots/lines/pacer (couldn't be located) - disqualified projects
Blue dots - losing projects
Orange dot - 2nd place project (£500 donation)
Green dot - 1st place project (£1000 donation)

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Good point. Although we're not that well known...

Mind you, we're certainly the biggest transport forum in existence though, which is saying something!

Anyway, I made a map with all the results on it, mapped out, as HMS Ark Royal requested. Sorry about how messy my writing is, but I was using my cursor (not a touchscreen device). I used Photoshop for this map.

KEY:

Red dots/lines/pacer (couldn't be located) - disqualified projects
Blue dots - losing projects
Orange dot - 2nd place project (£500 donation)
Green dot - 1st place project (£1000 donation)

View attachment 24866

Interesting to note that First and Second were both located down south

 

[Temple Meads]

Interesting to note that First and Second were both located down south

The second placed project isn't in the south if you live in the south.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Anything below Donny is theSouth

 

[FQ]

So Manchester and Liverpool are in the south?

 

[HowardGWR]

You do indeed raise an interesting question. I would welcome views on this (perhaps by PM) as should we be in a position to make a further donation it would be good to have an understanding of the views of our members.

The choices were that of the forum. If you wanted it to be otherwise, that was up to you and I suggest that would be inappropriate.

I don't see the value of p.m. responses as the whole idea of a forum is that we all hear what is suggested and can reply. I find that idea an extraordinary suggestion.

I voted for the Panel project but actually I am a bit iffy about the GWS itself doing it. In the end, it is an interesting project, but it ain't GWR. Recently the GWS decided to loosen further its constitution on this issue. It probably does not matter very much, but money raised for things like that could be at the expense of restoring numerous coaches in the sidings, that are in dire need at present (think Dreadnought and Bow Ended Collett examples).

 

[krus_aragon]

The choices were that of the forum. If you wanted it to be otherwise, that was up to you and I suggest that would be inappropriate.

I think you may have misunderstood. Nothing's going to be changed about the poll just held. IanXC's point (and my original one) was about future donations and polls, not this recent one. He is seeking the views (or choice) of the forum on whether winners should be entered again in future polls.

I don't see the value of p.m. responses as the whole idea of a forum is that we all hear what is suggested and can reply. I find that idea an extraordinary suggestion.

Replies by P.M. were a suggestion, not a condition.

 

[backontrack]

So Manchester and Liverpool are in the south?

I think that the Northern Rail network covers the whole thing quite well. North from Crewe, Stoke, Nottingham and Lincoln is the North. Leicester's actually further north than Birmingham, but I would count both of those as being in the Midlands rather than anywhere else.

Yet, as far as the government is concerned, Birmingham is in 'the North'. :roll:

 

[221129]

I voted for the Panel project but actually I am a bit iffy about the GWS itself doing it. In the end, it is an interesting project, but it ain't GWR. Recently the GWS decided to loosen further its constitution on this issue. It probably does not matter very much, but money raised for things like that could be at the expense of restoring numerous coaches in the sidings, that are in dire need at present (think Dreadnought and Bow Ended Collett examples).

GWS has nothing to do with the Panel Project.

 

[HowardGWR]

GWS has nothing to do with the Panel Project.

Without the GWS it would not be happening. It's to be situated at Didcot. I suppose another location could have been chosen.

 

[rightaway]

Without the GWS it would not be happening. It's to be situated at Didcot. I suppose another location could have been chosen.

The Panel Society existed well before its association with the GWS.

 

[221129]

Without the GWS it would not be happening. It's to be situated at Didcot. I suppose another location could have been chosen.

Didcot is only the location, other sites were looked at but for whatever reason Didcot was decided to be the best place.

 

[Temple Meads]

Didcot is only the location, other sites were looked at but for whatever reason Didcot was decided to be the best place.

All explained in the FAQ's on the SPS website:

Why is the panel moving to Didcot? Why is it moving at all

We enquired about the possibility of preserving the entire Swindon panel building, but the building will be demolished when signal box closes. The panel is on prime land next to Swindon that can be used to develop the pick-up and drop-off area.

We approached six heritage centres within a range of Swindon, of which one didn’t respond, two responded but were not in a position to discuss further for one reason or another, and three responded positively. We visited the three that responded positively and had some informal discussions with their management, and Didcot emerged as our single preferred option. In our check-list of factors to consider Didcot was able to tick
* Ease of access for visitors and members, being well served by rail and in a well-patronised heritage centre;
* Enthusiasm of the company to accept us;
* Willingness to provide excellent quality accommodation;
* Provision of services such as electricity;
* Proximity to other facilities such as toilets, cafe, shop;
* Security, being ‘landlocked’ by railway.

We also identified that when people visit a railway, whether they’e enthusiasts or families with children, etc, the primary purpose of their visit is to ride on the train, and any museum-type additions can be perceived as less significant secondary-objectives of the visit. With Didcot being a heritage centre, visitors are primarily looking to see things, to learn about things and to take some education away with them. We feel that the nature of Swindon Panel as a working exhibit is far more suited to this type of attraction.