Swanage Railway General Discussion

I believe GBRF normally crew the Hasitngs unit.

 

You're fantasising again Martin! Surely from SWR's point of view, the economics of this rely on using an existing unit that would otherwise be sitting unused at an off-peak time. Hiring in a unit completely changes the economic model of what is being offered.

Tom

 

I'm not 100% sure but I believe the SWR safety case does not include vacuum braked stock. Is the DMMU dual braked?

I for one will be utilising this service at least once this summer. Even got SWMBO to agree to it being a good idea. Not too sure I'll be taking the long way round from Salisbury especially as the service doesn't tie in with the "Romsey Rocket" so will probably go via Southampton and jump on at Wareham.

 

Screenshot from the Corfe Webcam...

 

You twice mention Swanage, but this SWR service is only to Corfe Castle, thus feeding plenty of punters on to the SR trains from Corfe to Swanage, and they are getting a special £10 fare vs. the normal £13. And re. your last para. how could this service be "creaming off" anything when the SR are not running from Wareham this year (unless you mean the tiny distance from Norden to Corfe)?

Completely agree with what you say re. Salisbury. One for the gricers only!

 

The taxpayers of Dorset, who have spent (a lot of) £££ on project Wareham?

 

WCR was the TOC
SR support crew for 31806
71A support crew for 33012

 

I assume you mean the 31806 test run which I believe was a WCRC crew, as was both the LE move and the GB train itself.

Today's inaugural inbound service at Creech Bottom. Load looked very good, no idea how many had joined at Wareham of course from a main line service. Amazed they managed to use on in the current livery though.

 

Yes, sorry mental block on the numbers.

 

For the pioneers of the Swanage Railway project whose aims were always to reconnect Swanage and Corfe Castle to the national railway network.
The heritage/tourist railway you see today is a by-product of that overarching aim.

Sent from my SM-A300FU using Tapatalk

 

definitely, when you remember how it was back then, how it started, compare it to now, an authentic Southern branch line with a good mix of engines that would have not been out of place in the 1950's even the Crompton is right, and its a branch line that brings out the child in everyone who can remember getting on the branch train on Summer Saturdays taking you to the Dorset coast.

 

Some by-product!

Over 200,000 passengers per year attracted by the core steam services should not be forgotten

 

Agreed, and it's a tremendous achievement which isn't being forgotten.
However, the question was why are these SWR trains important and to whom, and I answered that they're important to the original pioneers of the SR who can now claim to have achieved their aims.

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I assume as these are SWR scheduled services delay repay would kick in at 15 minutes. If it did get delayed by a Swanage service I wonder if there is any liability passed on to the Swanage Railway or if SWR have agreed to swallow any costs. Especially as other than any infrastructure issues the only service over lap area being Corfe to Norden.

 

It is interesting to read, that externally the SR is pushing forwards on all fronts, over 213,000 passengers last year, mainline exploits and the acquisition of the T3, the underlying trend is not enough income to cover outgoings, a serious deficit on last years operations £130,000 plus, added to no money to invest in future projects.
Swanage whilst not going down the pan, is up 5h1t creek with a broken paddle.
The management has a raft of proposals to address some of the problems, however, to enjoy this railway for the future it needs investment.
If you can spare some monies, please go to the SR site and give.
Why not buy a PLM? it helps the railway and gives you free travel.

 

Interesting - second similar post for one of the 'Premier League' (dreadful term!) of lines this evening (must be Annual Report season!)

Trying to invest from the farebox will get you nowhere but an early grave - fund-raising for development is essential. I presume that as a totally relaid line, Swanage may still be largely in a 'rest' from track renewals, although generally second-hand materials have had to be used for relaying/renewals and hence may be now needing renewals themselves.

From previous comments, I suspect the cost of the Wareham trial service will have been the root cause of the loss, but still not much of a surplus without that (if any).

Steven

 

So, you have a Rly over stretching itself financially & you want folks to prop it up financially?...

Why not just go to DCC with the begging bowl?....... guessing you can't because you already have.

 

Rather harsh - if, as I suspect, the loss is largely due to the unavoidably expensive way of trialing the Wareham service, then DCC should perhaps be seeing if they can contribute - I sense they are a major driving force behind the Wareham project (and as far as I am aware, not a major funder - that is Coastal Communities - a little jealousy from a non-coastal line perhaps? )

ALL preserved railways rely on some form of 'begging bowl', even if it is only membership subscriptions, and those that don't possibly are not actually developing much but instead are risking slipping backwards. (I exclude certain operations by referring to 'preserved' railways).

Steven

 

Or view it as a railway with so many exciting projects on the go that existing income cannot cover the outgoings that will in the future reward dividends. Half full, half empty?

 

The Swanage Railway, according to the following link has been fortunate in that most - if not all - of the money has been from varying sources, some private and with local and government funding.
https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/article/403139