Thursday, 8 August 2013

And more changes

Also from the Board Away Day was an acceptance that we need to be planning operational resource requirements for when we open to Broadway

We are talking people, locomotives, carriages. maintenance etc

The Board are determined not to blunder in and so have moved experienced Director Richard Drewitt to this important role

The Operations Manager will now be responsible for the Loco Department  and I will come back on C & W when I have talked


MT

Evening rail cruises

Just to let you know we had 33 paying visitors last Friday and 12 free children. Not a bad start
Colin Fewell

New guide book and new rambling book

There are two new GWR books available.
Courtesy of Chris Bristow, Howard Parker and colleagues, we now have a brand new glossy Guide book  on sale in our shops, booking offices and at the Flag and Whistle. I am sure you will agree this is a brilliant publication and certainly from personal experience yesterday, it will sell like hot cakes.
The second publication is our first Rambling book setting out a dozen walks from our stations. Again, this is already selling well - don't be put off by the cover photo!
Colin Fewell

Tuesday, 6 August 2013

The times they are a changing

Purchase Orders (POs) have always been a pain to those who manage purchasing for the Railway

Not only is there the issue of completion but copies have to be sent to the Finance Team and getting a new order book pad is hard going

From the Finance side we are always hesitant because the way it works at the moment there can be uncertainty that good or services have been received or  are satisfactory and at times, the level of our unsettled financial commitments is unclear

So we are moving up. Neil Carr and Danny Scroggins have done some excellent work to design and create an electronic PO system that will operate as part of HOPS

Its at rollout stage and over the next few months users by Department will be offered access and guidance

MT

Sunday, 4 August 2013

New director position

The main topic of discussion at the Board Away Day was people and the GWR. We particularly had in mind the pressures arising from our continuing success and the forward requirements in connection with operations to Broadway.

A major decision arising is the creation of a new Plc Director post to lead in all aspects of  policy, recruitment, placing, training, personal development, promotion,  job satisfaction, legal compliance and communication with GWR People (that is volunteers - all of us)

With people being our most important asset the Board thought this an overdue development

A role description will be developed and a formal advert issued in due course

Meantime if you fancy the task please do talk to me. Keep in mind that being a director carries important responsibilities, is time consuming and a director is expected to contribute to the whole arena of management and strategy development as well as duties assigned

MT

Saturday, 3 August 2013

The fruits of sucess for C & W

It was the Board Away Day today.

One of the pleasant aspects we were able to consider is the excellent financial performance this year with both normal timetable services and all special events  coming  in at or above income target.

As a result the Board was able to authorise an additional £10,000 expenditure for C & W to purchase an unique stock of steam heating fittings to support coach refurbishment with Broadway in mind and two storage containers for the fittings and other C & W stock


MT

Thursday, 1 August 2013

This Friday evening

This is a reminder that we have our first Friday evening DMU run this week. No idea how popular it will be as we have never done it before. Why not come along and have an enjoyable evening out?
Colin Fewell