The Great Central Railway in Leicestershire has announced a voluntary redundancy scheme in order to save around £250,000.
Whilst most of the railway is run by volunteers, those positions that are filled by paid staff have been offered the chance to apply for redundancy.
Along with the redundancy programme, the railway has sold its 50% share in an 8F steam locomotive to the David Clarke Railway Trust, which is the official supporting charity of the GCR, and the railway says other assets may be disposed of in the coming weeks.
Staff have been notified of the programme today (15th January), and the railway says that compulsory redundancies may be necessary if there are not enough expressions of interest.
Malcolm Holmes, General Manager of the Great Central Railway said, “We are not alone in the heritage railway sector, or indeed the whole leisure industry in having seen our overall costs increase hugely over the four years since the beginning of Covid and the Ukraine war. In particular, the cost of heating and lighting our sheds, stations and cafes is a substantial unavoidable burden. While these costs have at least stabilised, we’re forced to pay an extraordinary price for coal for our locomotives, which has soared. In the meantime families have less disposable income to enjoy days out. We continue to grow, fundraise and diversify our business so we are far more of a visitor attraction than just a train ride, but the time has come where cost cutting can’t be avoided. It’s going to be a tough few weeks because I am so proud of our team and the hard work they have invested in the railway.”
“This is absolutely not a crisis situation but a recognition we are not immune to turbulent financial times and we have to plan accordingly. The railway has ambitious plans to grow in the future. We have generous supporters who delight in seeing the line thrive and hundreds of thousands of visitors each year who enjoy travelling on our heritage trains and exploring the line. We want to be a key economic driver in the East Midlands. We hope people will continue to support the railway, by visiting our stations, refreshment rooms and enjoying our vibrant special events”
Responses
I’m hoping to be able to retire in the next couple of years and would love to spend some of my forthcoming spare time in the company of other volunteers doing something useful and interesting on this (even if it’s only sweeping up !)
I visit with my granddaughter at her request( 3yrs old ) to see these beautiful relics from our forgone days .
I will keep supporting for as long as I’m able .
Thankyou for the fabulous days out , will be there again soon with my granddaughter of course !
Bob sharples
We have to be realistic and look to the future. Mostly the railway heritage sector has provided a steam forefront of an image. One must look at the reasons why steam was ended on our main stream railway network; steam engines were dirty, uneconomic and labour intensive in their preparation and maintenance. The railway heritage sector has to diverse and educate the public in more modern traction. I will leave it at that.
Cannot the GCR covert from coal to oil as in the USA, no ashbox, no starting at 4 in the morning, clean, still makes steam, turn a key, go USA see for yourself. Pls do not go diesel engines, it’s so wrong for heritage railways. No sparks either, no fires on embankments.
Oh come on. Oil is even more expensive. Far more polluting and dirty and stinks.
These heritage lines bring back memories for me and thousands of others that are old enough to remember, steam on BR.
If it wasn’t for these unsung heroes ( volunteers ) that really enjoy themselves and make enthusiast’s and none enthusiast’s weekends great long may they reign.
Come on let’s have a sense of perspective please. The volunteers are not being exploited. They are enjoying their love of and enthusiasm for railways and are proud to present heritage motive power and rolling stock for visitors to enjoy. Good job too, if we all sat at home on our backsides looking at pictures the economy would fall even further than it has already.
I think if it is a charitable volunteer business then everyone should be a volunteer from the top down. Why should people be paid wheñ volunteers don’t, let them all be volunteers
That goes for every charity. The CEO of Lifeboat Charity is on over £100.000 a year sitting behind a desk no doubt while lifeboat men and women go out risking their lives all fit nothing. No doubt the same for all charities, let’s see what happens when everyone has to be a volunteer.
I would probably reckon that Everyone who has visited railway museums and been close up to steam engines they start to daydream and think of those days steam trains were Kings and imagine themselves at helm and operating it ,shoveling the coal in etc but you.have to be realistic and know that those days are gone and will never be back . The world has changed now and moved on and technology has vastly improved , you just have to go on you tube now watch dozens of train videos and films .
And your point is ?
To Neil T
Most unpaid volunteers go to the the GCR as most are at retirement age and it get them out the house and gives them a sense of purpose plus without these volunteers the GCR would struggle even more to provide an excellent day out both young and old. I myself get down there whenever I can as it’s a great day out and we’ll worth visiting .The way you say your not going to go down there anymore even though you say you enjoy it makes it read as though the GCR are using these volunteers as slave labour where in fact they are true enthusiasts. Sadly it’s a sign of the times where most preserved railways are struggling one way or another and it’s at these times they need our support even more so why stop going there because there are possible redundances in the pipeline.
I’ve nothing against volunteers. On the contrary I greatly admire those who give up their time for something they’re passionate about. What I dislike are exploitative organisations like this, who sack their paid staff and yet have ambitious growth plans which then require even more volunteers. There needs to be a balance and a paid senior management reaping the benefits of an almost-entirely volunteer workforce ain’t it!
Good balanced comment thanks
I remember climbing into the cab of many locos at lancaster Castle Station in 1966/7 can we cab yer mister we would ask the driver great memories as I approach my 66th birthday I realise that many people did not experience steam traction the diesel events are as ever popular no doubt the clean air lobby will end those climbing aboard 70014 Iron Duke stays with me we attempted to place coal in a white hot smoke box ! Great days long live the heritage lines
To Alaster, there won’t be a real railway soon with all the strikes.
The result of our railways being transferred from a ‘vertically integrated’ public service operated with experience to a ‘spirit of sheer greed’ encouraged by a bunch of speculators, shysters & spivs – with no interest – and even contempt for the railways – they are ‘milking’. Little wonder there are disputes.
To Neil
Volunteering is a fantastic way to boost self worth, I Volunteered in School and a care home, the country would not run without us. The Heritage Railway is a fantastic way for people to give time and Knowledge to pass on skills. The National Trust rely on an Volunteers who gladly give up their time. So Neil have a little heart and at least continue going to support Heritage
I don’t understand why they keep it going they are living in past times times that won’t ever return , eventually they won’t even be able to make parts for these engines.
It’s like every thing else it’s only a matter of time before all this will be on film with no realistic of running these costly engines, the money won’t be available & that’s the end.
What on earth gives you the idea that parts cannot be made for these engines. A number of railways have even set up to recreate patterns to cast brand new vital components many of which are completed in house.
Why are these comments so nasty. Volunteering has always been part and parcel of many organisations but paid members of staff are needed to run as a viable concern. Do these people realise just how many people attend the events. Yes it us a thing of the past so if you believe it be ended then a few million quid disappears from the coffers all around the country. One problem is people my age are in decline and the memories with them. The railways diversify with themed agents to attract families. They do their best and still people criticise their decision to cut costs.
Unbelievable, if you don’t understand it keep quiet.
Are you not aware that there are brand new complete and full size working replica steam locomotives being built from nothing?
I agree with Brian, and may I also add that there’s plenty of young people who are Steam enthusiasts and are being passed down the skills and knowledge to make parts for these historic engines, from the older generation of enthusiasts who have been doing it for decades. I mean, they’re rebuilding steam Locomotives all the time and have even built some brand new Steam locomotives in recent years too. As for fuel, I think regular coal will be around for a long while yet, but obviously it will get a lot more expensive with time, but they’re developing BioCoal, and a few heritage UK railways have successfully tested BioCoal that’s made from Crushed Oilve stones( a waste product from olive production), and other clean alternative fuels for Steam are also being developed too in the meantime, so I believe that Steam locomotives will continue to run long after any of us who are living today are no longer around.
There’s a lot of people of all ages who love Steam Locomotives, I’m a Steam enthusiast myself, and without heritage railways existing, us Steam enthusiasts would never get to see, hear or smell these magnificent, Beautiful engines running, or have the amazing experience traveling on a train pulled by a beautiful Steam Locomotive.
I’m very grateful for the Heritage railways and all the staff who work hard to keep them running for us all to enjoy.
That is exactly what some of us thought in 1972.
Funny that time has proved a few of us to be totally wrong.
The G,C.R. is the best example of a working steam main line in the whole of Europe and possibly the world.
Also you might like to know that we in the process of making a brand new G.C.R. locomotive in
our works in Ruddington. Notts.
We run and look after a Dunkirk Little Ship for passenger rides with 2 volunteers helping with the constant maintenance.
Not sure how long we can continue as now spending 1/2 our pension to keep things going.
The regulations forever increasing not to mention overheads!
Good luck and hope you servive.
Is there buffet car operating again?! Been out if use during January 2024. Very inconvenient in this extremely cold weather.
They want to be a key economic driver, using unpaid volunteers to achieve this? No thanks. I usually visit quite a few times over the course of a year but not any more. I’ll spend my money somewhere more ethical.
Neil, there isn’t a single Heritage railway in the country that is fully ran by paid staff. Majority of the roles have always been done by unpaid volunteers. They have been the back of every heritage railway for decades.
Paignton & Dartmouth? All ‘paid’ staff.
Neil. I hear you, and as a Trade Unionist I’m never a fan of free labour but volunteer labour is common throughout the Heritage Rail sector through the nature of the activity and how Heritage Railways came into bring.
Sir,
The books need to balance. These heritage railways , which are registered chariries,are cimitted to preserve , i firm and provide heritage experiences and are not run for profit
The costs have risen ., and visitor numbers are unpredictable. Redundancies are the last heartbreaking step.
If you are local, may i resoectfully suggest that yoi get involved so you could first hand see the situation . All Charities publish their accounts also.
My best wishes and kind regards
Kenneth
It’s back for the gala at the end of January, it’s been away for its annual service and repairs, in house at Rothley.
The people who volunteer at and help run the Heritage railways are Enthusiasts, they do it because it’s their passion and what they love.
Are you’re telling me, if you go the opportunity to volunteer to go and do what you love everyday or most days and keep what you love alive and running, you wouldn’t?
As a Steam Enthusiast, I for one am very grateful for all the enthusiasts who volunteer and keep these heritage railways and beautiful engines running for us all to enjoy.
Not every role attracts volunteers. What do you do then?
Yes, some “Charities” take the pee with top level salaries, but what does GCRs books tell you?
Not visiting will really help them. Well done for your public spirited attitude