T.R.P.S. Candidates for the Council 2004

As the TR's Project Manager, I have devoted much time and effort to the Wharf Station Redevelopment whilst continuing as a Guard and Traffic volunteer; currently chair of Marketing and active member of S&L committees, I organise and co-ordinate some of the TR's special events such as "Footplate Experience" and Duncan's Days (the latter with Lis Mann's help!) - I hope that in so doing, I have demonstrated my capabilities and commitment to the TR. With the members' mandate I would wish to continue, and use my enthusiasm and business skills to the full to ensure the continuing success of the TR.

Phil Guest; 60; Retired Teacher; 1969; from 1990

Currently a member of Engineering, Stations & Lineside, T.& O.C and elected to the T.R. Board in 2003. Locomotive Inspector, Driver and Loco. Dept. Volunteer. The second half-century for the T.R.P.S. has started with the provision of enhanced facilities at Wharf for staff, volunteers and visitors together with full integration of the museum to promote the heritage and history of ourselves and other Narrow Gauge Railways. Future projects must build on the experience gained and maximise the potential for further advancement of the Talyllyn Railway without changing its fundamental character.

Bill Heynes; 34; Company Director; 1987; from 2000

Driver, Footplate Experience Instructor, Guard, Booking Clerk and Blockman. Marketing Committee from 1992, secretary 1995-2003. YMG 1991-1996, chairman 1992-1996, Council overseer since 2000. T&OC 1991-1993, since 1999, Vice Chairman since 2001. MAC/S&M from 1996. Footplate Experience Working Group 2002-2003. TROPS Webmaster. I am now completing my second term on Council. Looking back over the last two years, although I have not been able to attend a few of the recent Marketing Meetings, I have remained committed into helping the Railway market itself in a better light. Improving the Railway's brand image, and marketing strategies, enabling us to appeal to a wider range of customers. The new Footplate Experience packages and the Have-A-Go Galas have helped us tap into new areas of the market. Our primary goal, is obviously to be a preservation society, however we should also remember we are a tourist attraction in a competitive environment.

Ian Hopwood; ??; ?; ?; nil

Since the late 1980s I have worked on the Railway, in the Traffic Department. For the last two years I have been the Fire Officer for the Society. I would now like to be able to put more back into the Society to help it proceed forward into the future.

Michael Howard; 51; Strategic Procurement Manager; 1968; nil

Archives Officer since 1983, NGRM Trustee and Treasurer since 1983, Museum and Heritage Committee 1983-2003, Traffic Volunteer (Guard and Blockman) 1968-1997. I make the Gift Aid tax reclaims for Talyllyn Holdings and NGRMT. I believe that my extensive experience of working in both the public and private sectors enables me to bring considerable expertise to support and develop the management systems of the railway, whilst ensuring that the organisation retains the unique and friendly atmosphere for volunteers which first drew me to work on the line in 1968. My public sector work has shown me how much grant aid is available for properly presented schemes. We are spending considerable sums on developing passenger facilities at Wharf, but I believe that our medium term plans should include the development of improved volunteer facilities in the form of purpose built hostel accommodation to replace the increasingly unsatisfactory and expensive to maintain Llechfan.

Gareth Jones; 51; Chartered Town Planner; 1968; from 1998

Qualified steam & diesel driver; Vice-Chairman of Society from 2002; Chairman of F&GP Committee since 2003; member of Stations & Lineside Committee (formerly Stations Project Group) since 1996, Chairman 1999-2003; previous service on Museum & Heritage and Engineering Committees. If re-elected I will continue to apply a practical, common-sense approach to the various problems, challenges and difficult decisions which the Council will face. We need to make the best use of our valuable, but often limited, resources, balancing all the competing demands and constraints, and to continue to improve the visitor attraction, to encourage the younger generation who are our future, to consider appropriate initiatives to maintain our finances, whilst preserving our unique character and ensuring that the railway remains an enjoyable experience for volunteers and passengers alike.

Lis Mann; 47; Deputy Headteacher; 1983; from 1998

Volunteer Guard, Blockman, Controller, Traffic Inspector, Fireman and Joint Education Advisor. Member of the Marketing Committee since 1998 and Secretary from 2003; Member of T&OC since 1998 and Chairman from 2001. With the new development at Wharf and the improved facilities that it brings, we have the opportunity to really enhance the TR experience, continuing to make it a fun day out for our passengers and maintaining the pleasure and enjoyment for our members and volunteers alike. I hope I can continue to contribute to the development of our railway, whilst at the same time ensuring that we preserve the unique character which makes the Talyllyn Railway so special.

Phil Sayers; 59; Talyllyn Railway Volunteer; 1954; from 2000

Traffic volunteer from 1965. Member of Shop & Catering Committee from 2000 and Chairman from October 2003. Member of Stations & Lineside Committee from 1999 to date with some involvement in the Wharf project. Council Minutes Secretary from 2000 and Traffic Planning Assistant from 2004. The TR must continue to offer an enjoyable and unusual experience and excellent value for money for both visitors and volunteers. To succeed we must exploit the large investment in the new Wharf Museum and cafe and pay attention to detail, including upgrading areas such as toilets and comfort in trains to meet rising visitor expectations. we should also emphasise more of our unique history and heritage from 1865 onwards, whilst not losing the unselfconscious atmosphere of a workaday steam railway and our charm and friendliness. We must also achieve best value from our expenditure and volunteer input.

John Smallwood; 62; Talyllyn Volunteer; 1959; from 1974

The culmination of thirty years as a Council member has, I suppose, been my very close involvement in the Wharf Redevelopment Project, which, after four years of struggle and heartache, is at last nearing completion. Although I have now passed the management of the Project on, I am still closely involved, particularly in ensuring that we continue to run the Railway smoothly, albeit from a building site. Not an easy balancing act! I hope to be able to continue to use my influence to bring the new Wharf to a successful completion. Whilst all this is going on, I also continue to take part in several council committees, normally produce the weekly traffic roster and where necessary still act as a traffic volunteer.

Nick Smith; 52; Senior Engineer; 2004; nil

Electrical and S & T Engineer on TR 2001-2004. I have introduced computerised Maintenance and Stock Control Programs for the Electrical and S & T Department with some success. Joined as a member of the TR on June 2004 with a view to carrying on with various S & T/Electrical projects. Having been on the staff for 2½ years I feel that I can put my experiences that I have gained as the S & T Engineer combining my engineering background that I have also acquired over my career in the engineering business to good use for the Railway.

Keith Theobald; 50; Cartographic Surveyor; 1973; from 1980

Board Member from 1999; Society Chairman 1994-97; Museum Trustee from 1995; Outdoor Foreman from 1980; Outdoor Week organiser since 1988. If re-elected I would continue as always to be actively involved in making further improvements to the line and lineside. Encouraging & supporting the younger members who will inherit the railway in due course. In addition I would very much like to see that we make the most of our nearly complete, redeveloped station at Wharf, an asset that I am sure we will all be justly proud of. Now that these first class facilities are nearly finished it's doubly important that we continue to give excellent service to our customers. It has been a long haul but well worth the effort, very many thanks to one and all.

Tony Thorpe; 66; Retired Local Government Service Manager; 1972; from 2002.

I have been the East Midlands Group Secretary since 1983 and served on the Members' Activities/Society & Membership Committee since 1991, been Assistant to the Area Group Liaison Officer since 1997, Area Group Liaison Officer since 2002 and Health & Safety Coordinator since 2002. 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. Opportunities must continue to be taken to improve the Railway's environment and image for our passengers and our future volunteers. I would continue work to increase and keep the numbers of working volunteers that are required to ensure the Railway's continuing operation for its future. I would also wish to see improvements in communications throughout the various departments, and committees and volunteers of our Railway.

Last modified on 14th. July, 2004 by John S. Robinson (Secretary@talyllyn.co.uk).
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