Swanage Railway General Discussion

Why use a crane? If bringing in / taking away a boiler.
A number of hauliers have units that are fitted with large HIABs or similar.
At Levisham on the NYMR one has recently delivered a storage container and offloaded ok.

 

Well I’m sure someone in the know can enlighten us as to whether a crane was used or not. The point is that whatever method was used, Norden has more space and better access to do it than Swanage.

What has happened to the old boiler from 31806? Has it been sent straight off for overhaul, or put in storage until happier times when the railway has more spare cash available? Or is overhauling the boiler from 31625 for 31874 a better proposition?

 

Placing a boiler in the frames can be a fairly close tolerance affair. A mobile crane is much more controllable than a HIAB, in my experience.

 

I would imagine it will need inspecting to decide on the repairs needed , at the same time, it would make sence to inspect both boilers and get firm reports as to the state of both, and then decide which is the one in best condition to repair, 31625's was originally on the N class, so the boiler now on 31806, was originally on 31625, swopped onto the N class , because it was not fit to be used on a main line engine at that time ( riveted patch repair on side plate ) So it has now been , or about to be used on all three Mogols.

 

While it is good 31806 is getting a quick turnaround for overhaul, I do hope this doesn't push back the N Class's return to steam too far along, as that engine has been waiting what must be decades for it's turn in the spotlight as it is! Still from what I understand work has continued on the bottom half throughout at least, so in theory when whatever boiler is overhauled for use the rest of the engine should be all ready to go, thus hopefully ensuring a quicker process to finishing the job and getting it running again.

 

I believe the bottom end of 31874 has been complete for some years and is just awaiting a boiler.

 

I thought as much, looking forward to the day it gets to run again at any rate, been a long time coming.

 

Be strange if she ends up with the boiler from 31625 , because if she does, that will mean her regaining her original boiler that she was withdrawn from BR with.

 

I know the M7 boiler was lifted off in the goods shed road in a more normal time using a road crane, but normally due to Covid there are a lot more buses in the yard and the Co-op has an extension being built so that site would probably not be ideal place at the moment.
Of course as someone said the cranes are kept at Norden.

 

That is two bits of positive news?
The re boilering 0f the N and the PW works at New Barn completed.

 

Well it was the U that was re boilered, not the N. Although it still says 31874 on the smoke box door!

 

Unlike Swanage Goods Shed, Corfe Goods shed has no inside track. It is designed with an outside track having an awning to cover about a 4-wheel wagon's length which was useful when transferring goods between road and rail vehicles.
Unfortunately Corfe is not really worth considering for secure undercover loco storage/display.

 

This has got to be the one of quickest boiler swaps ever, Indeed it is the boiler intended for 31874.
Does anyone know if it has been steam tested yet?
With only 34072 and D6528/33111 available, in the event of the "Great Boris suddenly moving the goalposts again" if the railway was allowed to reopen before Easter, 31806 would need to be up and running pretty quick !

 

There will be a steam test before refitting cladding and casing together with cab sides and roof . Then it will be a case of returning the loco to steam.

 

I would be interested to hear crew's perspective on whether the loco behaves any differently with it's new boiler or not...

 

Glad to see from "Swanning around" some progress on loco overhauls being slowly made.

Good infection rates are declining, but many may be still be cautious. Maybe by Easter things might be OK for restarting a service, also a socially distanced mini gala and the long awaited DMU service to Wareham might start. But may take longer depending on certifcation and the new report being written?
Also after the top and tailed lights train, top and tailed 31806 and D6515 train might occasionally run to Wareham (and beyond?).

During the summer the T9, part of the 4TC and the small diesels could be displayed at Corfe outdoors?. Like 563 was?.

 

I can see the attraction of building a cycle track alongside the single track between Corfe and Wareham as the main road is not cyclist freindly. (however he original letter did not want the railway as they thought it was not eco freindly).
However if the DMU service starts people could take the train from various SWR stations for a day trip, change at Warham, then rent bikes at Norden to explore the isle of Purbeck which would be eco freindly, safe and healthy.
It would bring some ticket and catering revenue to the SR.

 

The old boiler is still on the Pad at Norden today Monday 8th

 

Don't get your hopes up that the T9 is going to be on outdoor display. It is staying in the shed until the boiler is lifted out and the chassis is then likely to return to the shed whilst the boiler is being assessed.

 

Car 14 is off for storage under cover off site