Swanage This Coming Weekend.

With Chasewater gala off I am now looking for a plan B.

Does anyone know what is out this weekend and more importantly is the 33 running vice the bog cart? Hoping for anything steam rather than the M7 (and I never thought I would say that!)

Trip to the seaside may be in order for a ride and fish and chips if the weather is good.

Thanks in advance,

David

 

I think she be deeply offended!!

Don't yet, I have been looking but there no details of what and who operating just that its the green timetable (one steam and a diesel train -which is normally a DMU)

 

As has already been said, we await confirmation of which steam engine will be in traffic but I don't think you'll get 80104 as she's being got ready for her visit to the WSR Gala. Both Bulleids are available for traffic, the M7 was having attention to a cracked running plate angle but this may have been sorted by now. 80078 is now out of traffic pending overhaul and 6695 is away at the Severn Valley.

We used 33111 during the Family Fun week but, looking at the footplate roster (no secondmen booked), it would seem the Bubble Car will be out to play this weekend, sorry!

 

Ah! If the bubblecar is out on Saturday, I may have to head for the seaside! My Dad drove dmus in North Wales in the 60s and I love a dmu ride through scenic areas!

 

David,

News hot off the press is that it should be 34070 "Manston" hauling the steam service this coming weekend.

 

Nigel,

Thanks for the gen. Shame about the unit but with a good forecast hope to make the trip down on Saturday for Manston.

Real shame that Swanage don't have a Thumper as it would be far more appropraite than a DMMU.

Cheers,

 

No problem David. Shame I won't be around on Saturday, off to WSR to clean a few engines!

With regards a Thumper, don't go there it's a bit political I'm afraid.

Nigel

 

WED. 31st MARCH and THUR. 1st APRIL:
SR 4-6-2 West Country Class No. 34028 "EDDYSTONE" with 5 Mk1 coaches [Green]
BR Class 121 unit W55028 'Bubble Car'

EASTER WEEKEND (Good Friday 2nd April to Easter Monday 5th April):
**TWO BULLIED PACIFICS FOR TWO TRAIN SERVICE [40 Minute Intervals]**
SR 4-6-2 West Country Class No. 34028 "EDDYSTONE" (facing Wareham)
SR 4-6-2 Battle of Britain Class No. 34070 "MANSTON" (facing Swanage).
Above allocations subject to operational constraints, etc.

 

Just returned from an excellent day on the branch. My first ride in the bubblecar, which I enjoyed. Good to renew my acquaintance with Eddystone too. I like Swanage!

 

Why not? There must be a good case in having a Hampshire unit at Swanage being that they saw in the final BR services before the line was axed.

 

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Quote Originally Posted by Nigel Clark View Post
No problem David. Shame I won't be around on Saturday, off to WSR to clean a few engines!
With regards a Thumper, don't go there it's a bit political I'm afraid.
Nigel
Why not? There must be a good case in having a Hampshire unit at Swanage being that they saw in the final BR services before the line was axed.

Prior to the Hampshire units being offered there were discussions regarding hosting a 4TC - equally appropriate for our line I think.
Unfortunately for us it wasn't just "politics" - which was bad enough.
We had (still have) a notable lack of sidings to ensure the smooth running of the whole railway's operations. Over the past year or so various vehicles have been removed to off-site storage/sold to other railways/scrapped. Possibly/probably still more to go.
In conjunction with this policy we've managed to find space for some (short) siding extensions and have just started groundworks for a two road carriage shed near Herston Halt. This latter building is scheduled to keep up to eight Mk1 coaches out of the elements.
Had the offer of a Hampshire unit been made in, say, a couple of years time then The Swanage Railway might have been in a position to accept both it and the 4TC!

 

Hi all -

Does anyone know if the evening services booked for the bubble-car?

I have a friend who's in the area, who's very interested in having a trip on it, if its out!

Thanks in advance. The two Bullieds sound very tempting, but unfortunately I'm at the Gwili, guarding services over the DOWT weekend. Roll on the Beer Festival in May!

Cheers,

Phil.

 

Yes should be the Bubble Car on evening services over Easter. Sorry you can't make it for the weekend but hope to see you in May.

 

Nigel,

Many thanks for your kind provision of information. Hope this weekend goes well.....and no doubt see you in May!

Cheers,

Phil.

 

I do hope that some of you were at Swanage on Friday. The weather cleared, the sun shone and the early crew seemed upset that the weather change occurred as we changed crews. Instead of the down pour I was expecting it was a very pleasnat day. There were several people track side with cameras. If any of you took a picture of 34028 could you let me know as I was her driver for most of the day.

 

Just had a great day out at the swanage railway. great to see 2 bulleids out on 5 coach trains. 34070 facing south let some great photos come.

The churchill funeral van is now parked at harmans cross sidings and a restored bulleid coach is parked at swanage station(a semi open brake third) , number2 road.

The hand made easter eggs were a real touch and i dont want to eat mine yet as it looks so nice. My family enjoyed the ride also, nice scenery.

Is it me or are swanage footplate crews made up of 20 year olds??? loads of them seemed to be around, apart from one more middle aged man who was kind enough to explain locomotive gear boxes to me (i am a boiler man, not mechanical) and when is swanage gonna get round to restoring its j94??

also, you may want to take a look at 34070s injectors, there is a hell of a lot of water wastage there, more so than there was for wadebridge before it had some repairs.

 

Glad you and your Family enjoyed your visit.
The Bulleid coach [4365] is nearly ready for use and, for those with very long memories, was our very first operational passenger coach.
Not sure of J94's progress. Manston's injectors might need 'fine adjustment' by the fireman rather than dismantling - I hope so!
We are very proud of the younger members of staff. They are the generation that will run our railway after we founders are long gone. The Swanage Railway Sygnets Group has been running for many years now and this is where we train many youngsters in all aspects of railway work. Several footplate members, Guards and Signalmen were Sygnets and others now help out in Catering and the shop as well as elsewhere.
We are, indeed, very fortunate to have such a thriving group and hopefully the future is looking better.

 

I am not 20 and I was driving on both Friday and Monday. However, I did have 3 footplate staff under 25 with me for 1 trip on Friday and the fireman on both days is only 22. As Buzby has said we have a good group of young people who are enthusiastic. They also have a good social life togeher and make a great team. It is great knowing some of them since they were 13 and working wiht the cygnets to the present day where they are working in the engineering dept, footplate crew and in all other areas of the railway. It gives one hope for the future.:target:

 

Ahh, if you were on 34028, can you explain the white sludge on the tender???? repairs should be painted over!!! :-D

 

Not been down for a few days so didn't see '28s repaired tender.
Perhaps honouring the locos planned useage over Easter meant the Engineering team ran out of time to paint it.
Most passengers would prefer a scheduled steam loco to appear, with minor repairs not yet over-painted, than the alternative of replacing it with a diesel IMHO!
I suspect the patch will end up covered in various coats of paint asap as the underlying new metal needs protection of course. In fact it is possible that during the intervening days this repair may have been repainted already.