RESULTS OF QUESTIONNAIRE ISSUED IN "RAILCAR" AUGUST 1999

Thanks to those who sent in responses to the questionnaire. An analysis appears below, including extra comments added. Hopefully this will stimulate thought and debate at our Convention meeting. Seventeen responses were received, but not all of the leading groups provided feedback. Should your conscience be pricked, please forward your input and it will be incorporated in a revised analysis in time for the Convention meeting. Thanks in advance, again… Tony Fox and your Regional Co-ordinators.

  1. The Aims and Objects agreed for The Railcar Association at the Llangollen Convention in June 1998 are listed below. Please mark out of ten how you think we have performed against each and add comments and any further objectives you wish to propose:
  1. Aim to be an organisation for ALL DMU groups
 93%
  • Act as a clearing house for exchange of knowledge, documentation and equipment
    •      		84%
  • Co-ordinate bulk purchases (one-off e.g. set moquette, or consumables e.g. seals, filters)
    •      		76%
  • Lobby nationally, in conjunction with other pressure groups if appropriate (e.g. slam-door regulations, 101/117/121 disposals)
    •      		79%
  • Prepare standard operating contracts and mileage rates
    •      		38%
  • Negotiate insurance facilities at national level
    •      		38%
  • Be associated with the HRA
    •      		57%
  • Develop contacts with NRM, ROSCOs and other bodies of significance
    •      		81%
  • Use Railcar Monthly Bulletin as information vehicle
    •      		89%
  • Be minimalist and non-bureaucratic
    •      		91%
  • Create a group directory and keep it up-to-date
    •      		83%
  • Co-ordinate the annual Convention (venue to be agreed 2 years in advance)
    		• 90%
  • Comments and additional objectives:

    1.1 Create a central fund for bulk spares purchase and if necessary special manufacture/rebuild of obsolete items.

    1.2. Arrange a standard TRA insurance policy. Surely we have a Broker in TRA?

    1.3. Develop a standard TRA operating contract to give Members a starting point for negotiations with Railways.

    •
    1. In 1998 we all voted for a minimalist and non-bureaucratic organisation. Were we right?

    2. 82%

      12%

      6%

      Absolutely

      Partially

      Not at all

      What changes would you like to see?

      2.1 TRA should have a formal constitution, elected officers, subscription, accounts, etc.

    3. Communication within TRA is via the Railcar Monthly Bulletin, the Regional Co-ordinators and word of mouth. How do you rate our internal communication?

    4. 73%

      20%

      7%

      No problems

      O.K.

      Poor
           

      What changes would you like to see?

      3.1. Usefulness of the Railcar Bulletin depends on contributions from Members. Some Groups never provide any information.

      3.2. Generally, we need better communication within and outside TRA.

      3.3. The Railcar Bulletin is too technical and should contain more news and illustrations.

      3.4. We should distribute (internally) a list of all members, contacts, vehicles owned, etc.

      1. We should distribute a full list of suppliers and update this, say, thrice yearly.
    5. Communication between TRA and the outside world (rest of the industry, the railway press, etc.) relies on individuals chasing existing contacts, or by "cold calling". How well are we handling external communication?

    6. 36%

      64%

      0%

      No problems

      O.K.

      Poor

      What changes would you like to see?

      4.1. TRA should have a regular column in an appropriate periodical, say Heritage Railway.

    7. TRA doesn’t have a formal constitution, elected officers or subscription funding. Membership is through subscription to the Railcar Monthly Bulletin. Our Regional Co-ordinators are volunteers (and pressed men!) and we rely on them to communicate with their respective preservation groups in any way they see fit. How do you rate our structure?

    8. 82%

      6%

      12%

      No need for change

      Some changes required

      F-Exam required

      What changes would you like to see?

      5.1. TRA should have a formal constitution, elected officers, subscription, accounts, etc.

      5.2. "I wouldn’t know my Regional Co-ordinator if I fell over him".

    9. Please add any further comments you would like to make:
  • 6.1. Some Members take more from TRA than they give.
    •

    NAME …………………………………………………………………………………………………….

    PRESERVATION GROUP OR RAILWAY …………………………………………………….…….

    ADDRESS ………………………………………………………………………………………………..

    TELEPHONE NUMBER OR EMAIL ADDRESS ……………………………………………………

    Please return to Tony Fox, 4 The Wytchwoods, Pettaugh, Stowmarket IP14 6TB

    Email: ‘anthony.fox@which.net’ Tel: 01473 890511