Confidence Down at the Quarry

Last week I had the joy of taking two taxis in London, both were metrocabs, both fulfilled their duties fine. One was clean, tidy and everything worked. The other had a missing window catch so the pane rattled, the floor was dirty (several weeks worth at a guess), the seats had several small burn holes and a badly repaired tear. It has to be said I was far more confident that the first would get me from Liverpool St to Thames St, than I was the other one would get me back after the meeting.

Last weekend’s East Somerset Railway 150th celebration combined the East Somerset Railway, with tours of Merehead Quarry, Steam Launch operation on a nearby reservoir and a display of railway loco maintenance at the Mendip Rail Workshops.

In the grounds of the Mendip Rail Facility picnic tables had been set out and a fairground was in operation to keep the young, and young at heart happy.

Also in the yard near the depot complex were steam hauled freight train demonstration runs using a 9F, and a static display of locos. Brand new Class 66s, rubbed shoulders with 19th century 0-4-0 tank engines as well as the depots own extensive fleet of class 59s. Other visitors included 50049, 37901 and 37906 all from the Severn Valley Railway.

But what has this to do with a scruffy Taxi?

I was impressive with the condition of each of the Mendip Rail class 59s. No scruffy paint jobs, no torn seats, no bodged supports for conduits and pipes, no covers taped into position as the catches had failed, no stained paint work, no used filters and parts left lying around .. etc etc etc. Each 59 was clearly heavily used, so nothing was “out of the box” perfect, but everything looked cared for and maintenance was of the highest order.

Unfortunately apart the GBRF 66 which was almost brand new, the army liveried Class 60 and the preserved locos on display, most of the others were obviously less well maintained.

Now I’m not saying that the other locos were not safe to operate, but by maintaining these vehicles to a high order Mendip Rail inspire confidence with the public and their customers, a confidence that comes from their obvious attention to detail.

I know that in the commercial world the costs of maintenance have to be balanced against the income streams and the needs of making a profit to pay dividends to shareholders. But if Mendip Rail can keep their fleet in this good order, surely other freight operators can too.