Swanage Railway General Discussion

TBH I was talking generally, across opps we could do with more volunteers. Who would not want to volunteer (unless you lived in Strathspey) at our beautiful railway in Dorset?

 

I wasn't saying we don't need more volunteers. Im simply saying that there are currently only just enough steam turns to go round.

 

Is there a chance, assuming normal July not so high temperatures, the yellow timetable could run some 2 steam trains services again, or are other restrictions, like coal price?, a factor?

 

Water quality is currently a big issue as it's becoming very variable.

 

Good to see 31806 in action today!! It's now cooler for the crews but very warm temperatures predicted again at the end of next week. <BJ>

 

Yes I was somewhat surprised to see it leave this morning. If the last two days were diesel due to fire risk, is the U a "safer" loco?, the wind is way stronger today. The U only returned yesterday or Thursday, do not know which, but I did see it on the shed yesterday afternoon.

 

Last chance for those of us that like non shiny locos it seems.
Latest update from the SLL site.

"Manston continues to give sterling service but the time is coming when we believe her dirty state may start to compromise the cladding. It could be that it will be time for some TLC which won't please a lot of photographers!"

 

Manston has been cleaned and polished for a number of weeks now.

 

But not quite up to showroom finish of course. "Well kept, well used condition" perhaps?

 

But not to the level of 34072 or 34028.

 

Pete, I think you have nailed the middle ground, whilst I and the 5% loved the '60's look, our core customers looked at it as negligence. Sad but right

 

It has been truly wonderful to have Manston in that 1960s external condition. But I fully understand the way your normal customer base have looked at it.

Maybe time for another SR heritage line to do the same with one of their locos . . . . . .

Bryan

 

Manston and Squaddy definitely worked better as a pair with one clean and one dirty - Manston and Eddy are different to the non enthusiast so the contrast wasn’t really there. As the newsletter says the cladding and a few other metallic parts have begun to rust, so it had to be cleaned up. There was at one point an explanation on the electronic screens as to why Manston was so dirty but I haven’t seen it in a year or so.

 

A very pleasant headboard today I though to commemorate the 48th anniversary of the End of Southern Steam.
Of course the only loco currently at the railway that would really be applicable for the last day would be Eddystone, which I assume still needs some test running. Although I believe Lapford worked during the final week so a Spamcan would also be close.
Despite only being half way through a two week course of antibiotics for a chest infection (which have also really screwed with my stomach) I had to go to my Dad's so made sure I saw the 14:00 departure. I also decided late that I could see the 15:20 at HX whilst not missing the main players in the TDF time trail. Only arrived just in time and not enough time to set up my camcorder. Went down on the platform and by the time I had walked back to the car by the bridge on the return (which most will know is no distance up a gentle slope) I must have sounded and felt as bad as Vingegaard looked when he finished the time trial.
Anyway a few images attached including one in monochrome for the true 1967 feel.

 

Nice photos.

And I'm sorry to hear you are under the weather. I hope you are back to full boiler pressure soon.

Bryan

 

Bearing in mind the often volcanic exhaust produced by the T3 seems quite apt that one of the dates for the upcoming T3 driver experience trips is November 5.

 

In case anyone is unaware - Dorset is somewhat dry!
Anyway, with the local fire service being called out to a number of lineside fires in the recent past, the Railway decided to cease all steam operations.
Instead it will use D6515, 20066 or the Class 117 DMU until some decent rainfall occurs.
Fortunately D6515, which had been hired by Hanson & Hall for some main line moves, returned to Swanage on the 10th.

 

T3 seemed to be in steam when I came past at lunchtime. Not sure if it is planned to revert to steam tomorrow, but the overnight rain did not amount to much that I could see from the five times that cat got me up during the night.

 

Good to see steam back but does anyone know why the Corfe webcams aren’t working?

 

Agreed good to see steam back and also the Yellow timetable which guarantees the 09:50 service will not be stopping at Herston Halt (although it was 21L).