manxman1980 Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 22 hours ago, James Blonde said: I'm more than happy for Government to stop spending £8.5m on junk and re-direct it to the health service. We're not talking super specialist procedures. Just waiting lists that need to be tackled. Where would you spend that £8.5m to tackle waiting lists? 22 hours ago, James Blonde said: There's zero reason why it can't be maintained by specialist interest groups that don't bleed the taxpayer of cash. They are actually working with the Supporters Association on some projects which have included restoring old rolling stock and taking tours around the sheds and workshops all of which helps bring in extra money for the Railway through photographic charters, tickets for travel and for the tours. You have also whinged about the railway running the dining trains as they compete with local businesses. You realise that most heritage railways operate similar services to generate income? I honestly understand your view but I just don't agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTF Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 41 minutes ago, manxman1980 said: You have also whinged about the railway running the dining trains as they compete with local businesses. You realise that most heritage railways operate similar services to generate income? I honestly understand your view but I just don't agree. the fact the dining train is tendered out means it is a private business that's doing it, how much the train itself costs is another matter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Onchan Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 1 hour ago, manxman1980 said: ...... and taking tours around the sheds and workshops all of which helps bring in extra money for the Railway through photographic charters, tickets for travel and for the tours. So it could survive in the third sector then? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manxman1980 Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 21 minutes ago, Andy Onchan said: So it could survive in the third sector then? The difficulty for any of the Manx railways operating in the 3rd sector would be finding enough volunteers. There are a lot of people who would be supportive but not necessarily have the right balance of skills. Under Government operation I believe that they utilise the staff in other areas during the winter periods. UK heritage lines are also suffering in the same way at present. A lot of people want to drive and fire the trains but not work their way up to doing so by starting off cleaning the locos etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Blonde Posted January 3, 2022 Author Share Posted January 3, 2022 (edited) 3 hours ago, manxman1980 said: Where would you spend that £8.5m to tackle waiting lists? I would start with better pay for front line healthcare workers. Some of it could be used to buy procedures in private hospitals across the UK. It could be used in a revitalised recruitment drive for Manx Care. Better education and training opportunities for nurses. All manner of things more deserving and more essential than spending it on antiquated trains. Or, and here's a really off the wall idea, use the money to give people tax breaks! Government needs to be stripped back to the very bare bones and only tax people for essential services. Running toy trains is not an essential service. Alternatively the £8.5 could be used as seed money for new private tourism attractions. 3 hours ago, manxman1980 said: You have also whinged about the railway running the dining trains as they compete with local businesses. You realise that most heritage railways operate similar services to generate income? You realise that most 'heritage railways' aren't run by the public sector and don't really on taxpayers handing over millions each year? 1 hour ago, manxman1980 said: The difficulty for any of the Manx railways operating in the 3rd sector would be finding enough volunteers. There are a lot of people who would be supportive but not necessarily have the right balance of skills. Under Government operation I believe that they utilise the staff in other areas during the winter periods. Then either let them fail because they can't justify their existence in the island's economy (basic rules of supply and demand) - or set up a community benefit company (whatever the IOM equivalent is) to run it and offload all the pension liabilities and managerial overheads. Edited January 3, 2022 by James Blonde Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris Johnson Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, manxman1980 said: The difficulty for any of the Manx railways operating in the 3rd sector would be finding enough volunteers. There are a lot of people who would be supportive but not necessarily have the right balance of skills. Under Government operation I believe that they utilise the staff in other areas during the winter periods. UK heritage lines are also suffering in the same way at present. A lot of people want to drive and fire the trains but not work their way up to doing so by starting off cleaning the locos etc. Because the people who like these things are getting old and dying. The people whopn have been born since the 80s dont seem to have any interest in steam trains. It was and is popular for people who were kids when steam trains were a thing but since then I dont see any future, same as the TT Edited January 3, 2022 by Boris Johnson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manxman1980 Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 22 hours ago, Boris Johnson said: Because the people who like these things are getting old and dying. The people whopn have been born since the 80s dont seem to have any interest in steam trains. It was and is popular for people who were kids when steam trains were a thing but since then I dont see any future, same as the TT Strange... I must be imaging all the children I know that love going on the railway and they certainly weren't born in the 80's. In fact that are mostly around 8 years old and their parents who were born in the 1980's are the ones taking them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Mexico Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 23 hours ago, Boris Johnson said: The people whopn have been born since the 80s dont seem to have any interest in steam trains. You forget the curse of Thomas the Tank Engine. [Says he having spent the last month buying requested merchandise] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omobono Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 11 minutes ago, Roger Mexico said: You forget the curse of Thomas the Tank Engine. [Says he having spent the last month buying requested merchandise] But don't forget Thomas the Tank was allegedly written as a result of a clergyman having a delightful holiday in Port Erin I am sure if he saw the mess they have made to the area around the railway station with the so called re generation it would have turned into a horror story , How to bugger up a quaint victorian railway station and spoil its uniqueness , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Mexico Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 30 minutes ago, Omobono said: But don't forget Thomas the Tank was allegedly written as a result of a clergyman having a delightful holiday in Port Erin I am sure if he saw the mess they have made to the area around the railway station with the so called re generation it would have turned into a horror story , How to bugger up a quaint victorian railway station and spoil its uniqueness , I believe Christopher Awdry is working on "Thomas and the Chinese Granite" as we speak. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Voice of Reason Posted January 4, 2022 Share Posted January 4, 2022 On 12/31/2021 at 6:28 PM, Boris Johnson said: No Just stop it. Competing with private taxis is wrong. On the face of it yes. But where private taxis can’t or won’t provide a proper service then I for one am grateful for the Connect service. At least I can get to where I want to go ( eg liquid lunch) Would be more than prepared to pay a premium for the tailored service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manxman1980 Posted January 5, 2022 Share Posted January 5, 2022 22 hours ago, Roger Mexico said: You forget the curse of Thomas the Tank Engine. [Says he having spent the last month buying requested merchandise] Unfortunately Mattel looks set to totally destroy Thomas the Tank Engine with there new series... If you loved the original or even the CGI versions I suggest you don't look at the new one. Audrey will be turning in his grave! 22 hours ago, Omobono said: But don't forget Thomas the Tank was allegedly written as a result of a clergyman having a delightful holiday in Port Erin I am sure if he saw the mess they have made to the area around the railway station with the so called re generation it would have turned into a horror story , How to bugger up a quaint victorian railway station and spoil its uniqueness , Wasn't the Isle of Man more the inspiration for the Island of Sodor? Given that Sodor comes from the Diocese of Sodor & Mann. Audrey initially told stories to Christopher before being encouraged to write them down and based them all in reality. If you try hard enough you can find the sources that he used. Christopher Audrey continued in a similar vein but the stories became more detached from reality. The TV series, particularly the latter ones, would take huge liberties but none as bad as the new cartoon version... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Voice of Reason Posted January 5, 2022 Share Posted January 5, 2022 21 hours ago, offshoremanxman said: But not for a taxi! Yes quite happy to pay for a taxi. I don’t think you’ve understood. It’s because of the difficulties in getting a taxi that the Connect service is a godsend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Onchan Posted January 5, 2022 Share Posted January 5, 2022 5 minutes ago, manxman1980 said: The TV series, particularly the latter ones, would take huge liberties but none as bad as the new cartoon version... The same happened to the Old Tom & Jerry cartoons (the Fred Quimby ones) and many others.... completely ruined by Hanna & Barbera in the 70's/80's that bear no resemblance to the originals. Eejits! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTeapot Posted January 5, 2022 Share Posted January 5, 2022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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