Strathspey steam railway faces 'uncertain financial future' after walk-out
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Bosses at the Strathspey steam railway have admitted that the attraction is facing an uncertain financial future as they continue to try and resolve a walk-out by staff members and volunteers.
The Strathspey Railway Company has said that for now the focus is on running the remainder of the services scheduled for this season.
The last of these services on the Aviemore-Broomhill line is timetabled to run on Sunday before a hoped for return with the popular festive express trains.
Forty-two staff and volunteers backed an expression of no confidence delivered to the SRC’s board at a meeting in the Cairngorm Hotel in Aviemore last Tuesday evening (October 17) but the directors refused to stand down.
Allegations of bullying, harassment and staff safety failings have been directed at some of the board’s chiefs – these have been denied although the SRC admits there are areas for improvements.
Services on the heritage railway, scaled back at this time of year, have continued to run in the meantime.
A SRC spokesman told the Strathy yesterday: “The SRC board together with an increasing number of volunteers and employees are currently focused on delivering the final passenger steam services of the 2023 timetabled season.
“The SRC board continues to proactively discuss with volunteers and employees the best way forward for the railway in what, at present, remains an uncertain financial future.
“Currently a number of volunteers are in dialogue with the board as it seeks to strengthen identified weaknesses.
“These include human resources, general management and communication.
“The SRC board continues to encourage volunteers and employees to engage with them and intends to prioritise this during the non-operational month of November prior to the start of the festive seasonal services.”
It emerged in a lengthy statement issued to the Strathy on Friday by the SRC on the dispute that the accident involving the Flying Scotsman on September 29 at the line’s Aviemore station will result in a six-figure loss of income and that is before the cost of resolving insurance.
Mike Gale, a paid locomotive driver, is one of those now refusing to work for the SRC.
Several key positions have also been vacated including operations manager, outdoor superintendent and engineering manager as well as drivers and firemen.
Mr Gale warned: “The railway’s future is at risk unless these two or three directors move on. It is really sad to see that we could lose the railway which is one of the best businesses in the area.
“They are struggling to run the current services as they are stretched so thin.
“They are trying to cover the operations themselves but this is using people who are not regular workers on the railway.”
Mr Gale estimates at least 20 core staff and volunteers have walked-out.
He continued: “The finances are in doubt – they are really struggling. They need money in the tin and without this they will have to close the business.
“If the SRC board looked after their staff then the workers would sort these issues of cash flow and safety, but they just haven’t.”
Mr Gale said there is a Strathspey Railway Association (SRA) meeting scheduled for November 4. “They are the majority shareholder but if they do not do something soon then the business will be gone.
“Ultimately we all want the railway to be successful but these directors have dug in their heels and they do not understand that many staff and volunteers are so upset with the way the railway has been run.
“There are people who are very capable and ready to step in and take over on the board.”
He added: “A lot of people will come back and help if change is made but the longer this goes on the harder it will be to fix the railway.”
Mr Gale believes the appointment of a ‘right’ general manager is vital. “They know they need someone but they do not want to let go of any power,” he claimed.
Related articles:
Heritage steam railway's finances hit hard by Flying Scotsman accident
Walk out by staff and volunteers at the Strathspey steam railway
Strathspey Railway Company responds to allegations of bullying and harassment
RAIB launches official probe into Flying Scotsman collision which injured two people
One former worker, who did not wish to be named, said: “We haven’t heard anything from the railway since leaving so most of us have resigned ourselves to having to move on.”
The 2023 AGM of the SRA will take place on Saturday 4th November 2023 at 1.30pm in the Boat Hotel in Boat of Garten.
The accounts show the SRA had a balance of £513,359 at the end of the last financial year on March 31.
