Mass walk-out by staff and volunteers at Strathspey steam railway

The operation of the Strathspey steam railway has been thrown into turmoil after a mass walk out by staff members and volunteers.

They are deeply unhappy with the running of the popular heritage railway which links Aviemore and Broomhill by Dulnain Bridge.

Matters came to a head at a meeting at the Cairngorm Hotel in Aviemore on Tuesday night when a vote of no confidence in 'certain members of the board' was put before the bosses but they refused to stand down.

Some 41 people closely connected with the running of the railway have put their name to the motion which has been seen by the Strathy.

It reveals a host of complaints made against the railway's directors including allegations of bullying and staff safety failings.

The railway has not been running today with the railway company citing the weather caused by Storm Babet.

However, sources told the Strathy that this was a convenient excuse and have said that the long term future of the railway could be at stake if the present board does not stand down such is the dissatisfaction.

It is understood that the problems are long-standing and not connected with the recent accident involving the Flying Scotsman but one of the unhappy railway workers pointed out: "It has certainly not helped".

In the letter of expression of 'no confidence', those who have walked out cite:

• a lack of respect for all staff;

• a lack of leadership;

• a lack of forward planning and vision;

• the inability to follow company policies;

• the inability to deal with staffing issues and management;

• failure to seize positive opportunities for the benefit and the future of the railway;

• intense micromanagement; and

• a lack of communication.

They state in the letter of no confidence: "This has led to what we feel is a compromise of our safety and a deep decline in staff morale.

"It has further led to a hostile environment resulting in staff leaving or wanting to leave, working contracted hours only and not having any goodwill towards the railway.

"The railway heavily relies upon staff's goodwill to operate the way you want it to.

"We request the following as minimum to satisfy this letter - the resignation of the whole board.

"We have plans in place to cover the required positions, ensuring a stronger board to carry the railway forward into the future.

"No workforce should have to come to this decision, however, we deem it to be in the best interests of the railway."

Related article:

Official probe launched into Flying Scotsman accident in Aviemore

Heritage railway's income will be hit hard by Flying Scotsman crash

Claims Strathspey steam railway's future could be in jeopardy if no resolution found after walk-out

The Strathspey steam railway's timetable is still showing scheduled services are to run until the end of this month with the next operations being this weekend.

A Strathspey Railway Company Ltd spokesman said: "The board is willing to sit down and discuss the way forward and acknowledge the need for new people to join the board which will then allow longer serving members to step down."

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