T.R.P.S. Candidates for the Council 1999

Secretary of Shop & Catering Committee from 1990 and of Millennium/Golden Jubilee Committee from 1995. Member of F&GP. Council representative on the Young Members' Group. Station Assistant and Booking Clerk. We are planning exciting new ventures for the next millennium, to make our railway more efficient and to stimulate our visitors' interest. It does not become any easier to maintain, let alone to increase, the TR's share of the tourist market in competition with many other attractive venues, yet it is obvious that once visitors sample our railway they enjoy it; some are even 'hooked' to the extent that they become members and future volunteers. First we need to get people to Tywyn. I want to encourage TR members to do more to publicise the railway and the town; above all we need to let the world [and I mean the world!] know that 2000/01 will be our Golden Jubilee.

Murray Dods; 31; Train Driver; 1979; nil

Passed Fireman, Guard and Controller; member of T&OC 1987-91. "In attendance" on MAC (AGM evening social co-ordinator) and T&OC (Training Assistant). As Heritage Monitoring Officer (1995-97), I gained an insight into the history of our Railway and I believe that we should be sharing this more widely with the travelling public. Projects like the Young Members' conservation of the Abergynolwyn winding drum should be encouraged and more volunteer projects of this type undertaken. Every opportunity should be taken to improve the "Passenger Experience" and give more meaning to a day out. This will only be achieved by coupling these ideas with new and improved passenger facilities, such as Dolgoch toilets and the extension to Abergynolwyn station building. This is essential to ensure that the next generation of passengers and volunteers can appreciate what we take for granted today.

Peter Mintoft; 29; Technical Manager; 1984; from 1997

Qualified Passed Fireman, regularly active engineering volunteer. Member of Traffic and Operating Committee 1996 to 1998. Member of Engineering Committee 1994 to present. Member of MAC committee for several years. Previously a member of the Young Members' Group Committee. We have been entrusted with a unique, living, working railway from a bygone era, to be maintained and run for the enjoyment of both the public and members for as long as we are able. All new projects or planned changes must be carefully considered and directed without compromising what has already been achieved. My aim is to contribute towards these goals in any way possible, using new ideas and knowledge gained in day to day business and also from my experience and that of others working on the Railway. It is imperative that the Talyllyn Railway is guided in a way that sustains it for prosperity in the future.

David Mitchell; 56; Advisory Director; 1959; 1966-69, 1982-86 and from 1993

Fireman, Commercial Director from 1993, Chairman of Council since 1997. Ex officio on all committees and active member of F&GP, Shop & Catering, Marketing and Stations Project/Wharf Development. Keen photographer and provider of pictures. The TR continues to operate because the members wish it to and they get pleasure from being involved in its operation and preservation in many different ways. The TR also gives pleasure to its many passengers. The operation of the TRPS and the TR is a complex mixture involving balancing commercialism and sentimentality, enjoyment and safety, efficiency and preservation. Above all we have to retain the friendly atmosphere so much appreciated by members and visitors. I hope I can contribute to achieving these objectives.

Don Newing; 50; Engineering Consultant; 1971; from 1995

Volunteer Passed Fireman. Member of Museum & Heritage Committee from 1995 (Chairman from 1996), Golden Jubilee Committee from 1995, Station Projects Group from 1996. Trustee of Narrow Gauge Railway Museum Trust from 1996. Restorer of wagons for the Museum Trust. I believe that the Railway faces a particular challenge in the years ahead in attracting sufficient passengers for viable operation of the Railway while not detracting from the historic nature of the TR which it is our prime responsibility to preserve. I hope that I can help the railway and the Society to meet this challenge.

Steve Powell; 42; Bank Officer; 1968; from 1983

An active outdoor and footplate volunteer, I am currently Chairman of the Shop & Catering Committee and Secretary to the F&GP Committee. I have been Secretary to the North West Area Group since 1979 and am an active sales steward. I would hope my professional experience would benefit the Railway and Society. I believe the Railway has to evolve, not change, retaining its character. the continued operation of all locomotives and carriages and preservation of its infrastructure remain foremost in my mind. I enjoy and support our training standards, in particular in my role as Passed Fireman, and believe that our future lies in recruitment and encouragement of all volunteers, making involvement safe but always enjoyable.

Russell Prince; 20; Student; 1994; nil

Passed Cleaner, Golden Jubilee Committee member. With the uniqueness the Talyllyn possesses, its gauge, loco's, carriages, the fun-loving atmosphere, the picturesque Afon Fathew which we run through, should be made more of by everybody. How can they, if they are not told about it? With the new imminent developments, the above mentioned attributes must not be changed too drastically or otherwise the Railway will lose its lifeblood, its members and volunteers. Good promotion of events being held in the 'Millennium Years' is vital due to event diaries being swamped with so many celebrations. We have to push a lot harder to get noticed in the next couple of seasons, as we face strong competition from a variety of sources, such as people going abroad to celebrate part of the Millennium years somewhere exotic. We should come out of it a lot stronger and wiser if we get this right.

Tony Thorpe; 61; Local Government Service Manager; 1972; nil.

I have been the East Midlands Group Secretary since 1983 and served on the Members' Activities Committee since 1991. I have been a regular traffic volunteer from 1985 as a Guard, Blockman and Controller. I would like to see a balance kept between preserving the historic atmosphere and operation of the Railway alongside the introduction of new regulations and technology. Also I would continue working to increase the number of working volunteers required to keep the Railway's continuing operation.

Roger Whitehouse; 55; Lecturer; 1958; 1973-81 and from 1983

Ex-officio on all committees as Financial Planning & Projects Officer; Chairman of F&GP Committee; Timetables Officer; Vice-Chairman of Midlands Area Group. Controller, Guard, Blockman and outdoor engineering volunteer. Our approaching Golden Jubilee is an opportunity to look back and celebrate what we have achieved: looking to the future, we should proceed with Tywyn area redevelopment as rapidly as resources and other circumstances permit.

Maurice Wilson; 72; Retired Chartered Surveyor; 1964; from 1968

Chairman of Council 1985-88; Director of Railway Company 1982-90 and from 1991; Chairman of Board 1991-94. After nearly seven years as Chief Executive in an honorary capacity, initially as Acting General Manager and more recently as Managing Director, the time has arrived for me to step down from that appointment. In doing so I am offering myself for re-election to Council for the next two years in the hope that I can provide whatever assistance that my successor might require in securing the economic stability of the Railway, its safe and efficient operation, the retention of its heritage character and maintaining the "Welcome Approach". I will continue to offer my services if required in booking and rostering locomotive crews in the role of Locomotive Running Foreman as well as chasing bad debtors.

Last modified on 12th July, 1999 by John S. Robinson (Secretary@talyllyn.co.uk),
The URL of this page is http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/trps/internal/arcc-99a.html