Swanage Railway General Discussion

It's not just you, the man is a nuisance. I was at a Swanage Railway steam gala and happened to be at Corfe Castle station. He was organising a group of military personnel into position for his 'scoop of the day'. The way that he spoke to the group as he ordered them into position was downright rude. I felt that he was aragant and an embarrassment to the railway. [BJ]

 

Andrew is the Swanage Railways official Photographer. He has a lineside permit for the entire Railway. Anyone who goes trackside is required to wear high visibility clothing, as do P way and S&T staff, I think that you will find that the same applies on all Heritage Railways.
I assume that you are referring to the picture of the T3 and Brake van taken in the RRI. Perhaps I am not so eagle eyed, but TBH it could be any member of staff.
Over the years, Andrew has taken photographs of me during various signalling duties and I have on every occasion been sent copies.
BTW I did have a day photographing the Diesel Gala and Andrew appears in one of my photo's So what?

 

I have known APMW for over forty years and do not recognise the person that you describe above

 

Andy I was basing my "identification" of APMW on the camera bag which appears to be the one he uses regularly plus his build and his photographic subjects before that trip departed. Enlarging the image and comparing with one of him photographing Alan Pegler's daughter during the 2019 FS event the wristwatch appears to be the same as well. But I could be wrong.
I have no issue with Andrew, although perhaps we tend to chose the same locations and sometimes he "pops up" unexpectedly.
My favourite image of him (which I could not find today after a quick search) he is in full Dick Riley mode up a signal at Swanage

 

APMW is a really interesting, kind and funny person. Arrogant and a disgrace to the railway could not be further from the truth. Insulting someone on an online forum just because they wear hi-vis (a requirement for staff who are lineside) and occasionally appear in a picture of yours is just disrespectful and completely unwarranted.

When he’s not out and about you can quite often find him in one of the railway’s ticket offices, selling tickets to the travelling public and on hand to help with anything if needed. He’s always happy for a chat.

 

What was going on with the water tower today? Gushing out of the top.

 

Area around the base looks dry now so, presumably, someone scaled the ladder and sorted out the ball valve to stop it overflowing - I am guessing that was the problem.
Before a roof was installed it had all sorts of things dropped in the tank by the local birdlife (mainly seagulls) with much algae from decaying seaweed being an ever present problem.
Since the roof was constructed these problems have reduced markedly - but it's a (very) hard water area so, perhaps, some chalk deposits needed removal.
If any current SR Ops people are reading this perhaps they might be able to answer the question directly.

 

What an awful and ridiculous comment...

First, there's no confirmation that the person in that photo is the person in question. It could be any Swanage staff member/volunteer who happened to have a camera with them or anyone else with a lineside permit for the railway.

Second and perhaps most importantly, the person in that photo was standing approximately 75 metres away from the vantage point of the camera. The photo was taken from the Arne Road Bridge and the lineside cabinet the person is stood by sits roughly 75 metres away from that. Are you seriously suggesting that this person noticed someone stood on a bridge 75 metres away, identified they were taking photo and intentionally moved into the shot? And do you seriously expect that every person walking around a railway needs to keep an eye out for photographers anywhere in a 75 metre radius around them at all times to avoid getting in their shot?

Or, let's flip it around. Have you made sure that you have never got in the way of any photo ever taken by any person stood anywhere within a 75 metres radius of you? I think all know what the answer to that would be.

 

I never suggested APMW should keep an eye out for anyone else either close by or a long way off, he is in effect working. He is a very identifiable figure and like many photographers has a style and mannerisms that are quite recognisable.
Maybe next time I shall not bother with some joviality. I also knew he was there and was likely to walk around the back of the loco and be in the image. I took one with and one without, my choice which one I posted.

 

Don't worry Gladiator, none of my comments were directed at you in any way. Your comments were entirely innocuous and obviously jovial. My comments were purely aimed at Saint Austell who I quoted.