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Swanage Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Rumpole, Oct 10, 2012.

  1. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    I'm aware that the cl. 207 set at the Spa Valley is considered extremely valuable for low season services, as being both authentic to the line and very cheap to operate. Given the investment to date in the WR DMU units for Wareham, I strongly suspect that this is the right unit at the wrong time, for the logical reasons you describe.
     
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  2. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    I get what you're driving at, but consider, a genuine and unique LSWR loco, on a genuine and unique LSWR branch line, is surely no more WIBN than is the railway itself. No?
     
  3. Paul Grant

    Paul Grant Well-Known Member

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    Especially with a shiny DMU being returned to service not that long ago.
     
  4. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    It seems to me that while especially at the current time there are some very good reasons for Swanage NOT to buy the operational 205, and looking at what has been said so far by many of the contributors, the reason for buying it is that it .completes the collection' of stock that worked The Swanage line - in terms at least of what is available.

    I for one am looking forward to a ride on the 4TC so why not the 205 as well
     
  5. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    205's did operate the Swanage branch, post steam, up to closure, so you could say one might be a fitting addition, but at what cost, buying a unit is the easy bit, then you have to hidden costs, Is it just the layers of paint holding everything together? How sound is the engine and main generator etc, but its a missing item, and hardly likily to be offered for sale again any time soon.
     
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  6. Will RL

    Will RL Member

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    I recall being told Swanage were offered a 205 at some stage but declined it in favour of a DMU based on the grounds you get a greater view from within a DMU
     
  7. Alan Kebby

    Alan Kebby Well-Known Member

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    I think the unit preserved by HSUPS was once intended to come to Swanage, but for whatever reason never did. It’s now to be found on the Lavender Line.
     
  8. ruddingtonrsh56

    ruddingtonrsh56 Member

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    Add in 8 - Is this a one-off opportunity, or are we likely to get other opportunities further down the line when we might be in a better position to take it on?
    I reckon 563 fitted very nicely into that category, and because it would fit with the history of the line, the other LSWR locos already in operation, and also add something of a USP (who alive can remember seeing a T3 in operation) they probably felt it was worth the detrimental effect to other projects to take it on, also with a degree of confidence that they could raise a little extra capital to fund it because of the USP it offered
     
  9. OldSchoolTrains2

    OldSchoolTrains2 New Member

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    Can't argue with the logic of that even though my enthusiast heart just wants to point out that a DMU just sounds like an old bus and a Thumper's got a proper engine in it that sounds lovely up a hill! Plus as others have said, the same logic of the 4TC's presence on the line very much applies to a 205. But the TC had people ready and willing to put time and money into its care of course, though.

    Of the two DEMUs at Meldon, one (205028) looks absolutely trashed - vandalised and exposed to the weather at the quarry site since it arrived there in the 2000s, and I've read that it donated a lot of mechanical parts to the working one too. Always a sad sight whenever I passed it whether walking or on the train. The working one (1132) was the lynchpin of the Dartmoor Railway for much of its time as a heritage line. I obviously can't vouch for its outright condition mechanically or under the paint, but I always felt whenever I travelled on it like the volunteers there were caring for it as well as their resources allowed.

    I would like to see it find a good home as I'm fond of DEMUs and some haven't fared well in preservation - thinking of the fire-destroyed 207 trailer and the power car scrapped at the Swindon & Cricklade and the 207 that I noticed on here that the East Lancs is now keen to offload, as well as the derelict Dartmoor one.

    But I suspect most heritage lines will be focusing on what they absolutely NEED rather than anything that might be a time/space/money-consuming extra for the next few years and rightly so.
     
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  10. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    I absolutely agree with you. I am trying (and perhaps failing) to reflect that I can see both sides of the argument.

    I could well understand someone saying 'I remember riding to Swanage with my granny in 1968 in one of those and it is what I associate the line with'. Who knows maybe there are people at Swanage who have a 205 on their bucketlist.

    I can understand people saying 'well how is it different to any mk1 suburban?' re doors.

    I can also understand people who say that Swanage should concentrate on survival not on the nice but not essential to have. I can also understand those who say that just because things are tough that the line should become overly conservative and lose its ambitions.

    The advert says 'operational', wiki says 'not operational'. So I'd assume that if they were operational then they would be more attractive to any buyer than something that resembles the Battlefield 45.

    Indeed, but I am sure that if say 5 years ago you had suggested restoring 563 to working order and running it then it would have been decried as WIBN and not really ticking all the boxes.

    My point is this - (and as it is spring I will use this analogy) WIBN is a very nice way to go and stamp on other people's new seedlings. If a group wants to restore/maintain x and it isn't just going to rot in a siding, and if a line can get use out of something then I'd say go for it. If it is too much of a basketcase, unwanted by the line etc then let it go.
     
    Last edited: Mar 2, 2021
  11. burmister

    burmister Member

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    As always buying something is the easy bit.
    With the units for sale one is incomplete and I understand the other 'operational' repainted unit needs new tyres as an understatement.
    Mk1 body and doors so when the paint is stripped the rust will be horrific. Even if the doors are the later GF skinned ones the frame will have rotted and the skins bursting around the hinges and bump stop rubber.
    Apart from Governor the engines are same as 73s so spares ex 73/1s are currently around at a price. Generators different voltage of course.
    If you have £300 to 400k available an interesting project but I would suggest getting the 4TC finished and putting the BIG Buffet in it to run with the 33/1 would be a better spend for ones money

    B
     
  12. torgormaig

    torgormaig Part of the furniture Friend

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    All this talk of Class 205s (3Hs as they were classified then) and 4TC sets reminds me of a glorious evening at Corfe Castle on Whit Sunday 1970 when both types crossed there. For those who like such detail the 3H was 1123 while 417 was leading two other 4TC sets, propelled by 6535 + 6513 running ecs to Swanage for a return ramblers excursion to Waterloo. Then they crossed again on the return. mini_70-5-24 1 4TC417 1123 copy.jpg mini_70-5-24 4a 1123 6535+6513 copy.jpg

    In respect of the unit at Dartmoor, I'm sure it would be highly desireable to have one at Swanage, but I would have thought the costs would far exceed that of the T3. I see no one has even mentioned the likelyhood of asbestos and the cost associated there. Alas some things you just have to let go.

    Peter
     
  13. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    Lovely pictures. Not sure I'd be too worried about asbestos given when the DEMUs were withdrawn, but otherwise agree with the views.
     
  14. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    If theres a group of members at the Swanage Railway, who have the money, and a sound business plan, and it won't impact on the Finances of the railway, ie, they don't have to fund it, , then as long as theres space for it, and somewhere it can be worked on, i can see that eventually having a second DMU, that can cover, for when the other might not be availible ,could make sence, plus also, when the 4 TC , is done, the railway could during special week ends have an authentic 70's event using an Hampshire unit and the 33/1+TC As people will still remember traveling on the branch in them,
     
  15. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    When Braunton was doing a round trip over the WSR including being turned at Minehead, I went one Sunday. It was uncanny sitting in the train at Williton as teh DMU pulled in, OK the livery wasnt Rail Blue & I was on a steam not diesel hauled train, but it was an experience I hd so many times in the early 80's.

    In the same way the 205 - and the TC can re-create that period.

    Given that both are also similar- or identical to Southern Electric units they can also - to a point recreate the experience of the Southern Electric services of that period
     
  16. Vulcan Works

    Vulcan Works Member

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    Yes I agree. Unless it’s cheap to buy, cheap to restore and cheap to run I don’t think the business case stacks up. I’m not saying that every project has to generate revenue (good if it does though). I don’t think it’s likely to put many extra family bums on seats with people rushing to ride in it, as interesting and authentic as it might be for the line!
     
  17. ady

    ady Well-Known Member

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    I'm just hoping their not both scrapped, let alone where they be going...
     
  18. DcB

    DcB Well-Known Member

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    There are several "thumper DEMU units" which could visit Swanage in a gala, some of which have seen service on the line on BR days. The Mid Hants unit is having some work on it.
    The priority seems to make the Swanage Railway survive, then restart projects which have been on hold (like the Wareham service and the 4TC in the webcam and 2 4TC units that need bodywork).
    Hopefully the thumper units at Dartmoor will end up in good hands.
     
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  19. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    Good news from the Swanage Railway. <BJ>

    Volunteers plan for resumption of Covid-safe steam trains.

    Dedicated volunteers are planning for a re-opening of the Swanage Railway with Covid-safe steam trains resuming between Norden, Corfe Castle and Swanage on Monday, 12 April, 2021 – subject to the lifting of Government restrictions.

    The Swanage Railway has been awarded ‘We’re Good to Go’ certification by the Visit England tourism body for demonstrating the heritage railway has met the required level of compliance with its Covid-19 preparations and precautions to keep the public safe.

    Covid-safe passenger services ran on the Swanage Railway during 2020, including the successful Steam and Lights festive trains in December.

    During the latest national lockdown, only essential work has been taking place – track and bridge maintenance along with signalling and locomotive maintenance – with the Swanage Railway following Government instruction and advice.

    Swanage Railway chairman Gavin Johns said: “We are pleased that the Government’s plans, and guidance, to bring the country out of the Covid-19 restrictions enable us to plan for the resumption of our train services on Monday, 12 April, 2021.

    “The safety of our passengers and staff is our prime concern as we look forward to resuming our train services and open our on-line booking service at swanagerailway.co.uk on Thursday, 1 April, 2021.

    “While on the day walk-up bookings will be able to be made at our Norden, Corfe Castle and Swanage ticket offices – subject to seats being available – we would encourage passengers to book in advance, via our website, to avoid disappointment as seat numbers are reduced to ensure the prescribed social distancing.

    “The Swanage Railway has a great part to play in giving people a wonderful day out in the Isle of Purbeck – whether it’s to visit Swanage and the beach, Corfe Castle and its magnificent ruins or simply to walk and enjoy the fresh air in the beautiful countryside.

    “Our train services and stations are fully Covid-19 compliant with regular cleaning taking place.

    “Passengers will still have to wear face coverings on our platforms and trains – unless they are exempt – with hand sanitiser points available on our stations. Children under the age of 11 do not need to wear a face covering.

    “We are taking all reasonable steps to ensure that our passengers are safe while travelling with us and passengers can travel with us in the knowledge that all fares go towards supporting the re-built Swanage Railway and ensuring its survival for future generations,” added Mr Johns.

    It is hoped to re-open the fund-raising shop on Swanage station – in a Covid-safe manner – on Monday, 12 April, 2021, subject to the lifting of Government restrictions and the availability of volunteers to staff the shop.

    Subject to the lifting of Government restrictions, the Swanage Railway hopes to re-open its Corfe Castle station museum, return catering facilities to Swanage and Norden stations and re-introduce its dining trains, in a Covid-safe manner, from 17 May, 2021.

    The Swanage Railway’s Harman’s Cross station and Herston Halt will remain closed – in compliance with current Government guidance – and are set to re-open when the Government lifts the Covid-19 restrictions regarding social distancing.

    Gavin Johns explained: “We recognise the Government’s dates for the reduction and final lifting of restrictions are dependent on progress in reducing cases of Covid-19 and we will be looking for confirmation of these dates by the Government nearer the time.

    “The dates published by the Government give us time to complete essential maintenance work and ensure that everything is prepared for us to complete staff refresher training so that the Swanage Railway is ready to resume its train services when we receive the green light from the Government,” added Mr Johns who is also a volunteer signalman on the heritage line.

    In preparation for the resumption of steam trains, test and staff training trains – not carrying the public – will be operating on the Swanage Railway ahead of the planned Monday, 12 April, 2021, re-opening which is subject to the Government lifting Covid-19 restrictions.

    Details of how the Swanage Railway keeps its passengers safe can be found at www.swanagerailway.co.uk/covid-19-passenger-information.

    Up to date train service information is available from the Swanage Railway website at swanagerailway.co.uk where train tickets can be booked from Thursday, 1 April, 2021.
     
  20. Alan Kebby

    Alan Kebby Well-Known Member

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    Great news that Swanage Railway will be up and running again next month. I’ll be planning a visit.

    I wonder if the SWR services to Corfe Castle will run again this year?
     

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