Swanage Railway General Discussion

Deleted.

 

Seems a bit late in the day to be encountering planning issues when the groundworks have already been done!

 

Planning permission expired perhaps, as it has dragged on for so long?

 

It has been such a massive effort and achievement to get 563 back in service. Fair play to everyone. With hindsight the opening few weeks’ offering might have been better judged but I don’t think I would like to have second guessed it months back.

 

It was interesting to see that a 6 coach service train ran yesterday but steam hauled throughout the day. Unfortunately, the use of a 33.111 at Swanage to release 31806 and also perform various movements resulted in a delay to the timetable. By early afternoon trains were running nearly 50 mins late. To regain time, the 33 hauled one round trip which reduced the delay to 10 mins. At least the railway attempted to run a diesel free service but difficult to justify if the timetable slips during the day.

I was surprised and pleased to see the T3 haul a mid morning crew familiarisation trip. A repeat run occurred late afternoon. I was advised by a member of staff that these trains will run throughout the week. <BJ>

Update: The T3 departed Swanage at 10:32 today

 

The half term timetable I originally downloaded off the website had a 10:25 departing trip, I guess that one got turned into a training run when the loads were becoming clearer.

 

The timings for this have been all over the place - regular social media postings saying "five trips every day" that it was due to be running, but only ever four shown for October 8 and three on all half term dates.

 

In the Chairman's address to members that went out with the AGM papers he said that it was hoped that the carriage shed would resume construction in the new year (2024). About a month later at the AGM I am told that he stated that due to the current financial situation some restricted funds would need to be used to keep the railway solvent. The carriage shed fund is a restricted fund.
It should also be considered that since the fundraising for the shed finished there has been a period of highish inflation.

 

T3 in the valley from Quarr Farm, working the first public service today.

 

The use of 33 111 did not cause the delay to the timetable

 

Again, does Swanage need 6-car steam service? It does cause a pain and more expense in terms of needing the 33 or an 08 to shunt.

 

I say again.

The court of Nat Pres seems to know all the answers for the Swanage Railway.

Yet there are still vacancies for key roles on the Company board.

 

Does it need a HST?

 

So, What is your issue sir, and why in your opinion does it cause a pain?
From my own personal experience as a signalman on the SR, Tuesdays are a very busy day, the last thing we want is an overcrowded 5 coach train with people having to stand.
I don't see any problem with making this shunt move, the main issue is shunting the T3 and train from Platform 1 to platform 2 and getting the engine run round, take water and depart on time.
I note that you are one of the "No I do not currently volunteer" brigade, Perhaps you should join the Swanage Railway, Volunteer, and then you could perhaps be elected to the council of management
and make a difference, or not!

 

as a fellow signalman on the SR I concur with Mr Moody's comments

 

NO......IT's Andy.

 

sorry - I concur with Andy's comments and thanks for standing in for me on Sunday!

 

Perhaps someone with far greater knowledge can throw some light on this , but I understood that restricted funds held by a charitable trust can only be used for the purpose for which they were donated? ie If I contributed towards the capital cost of building a carriage shed I wouldn't expect the money to be used to fund revenue costs.

 

That's generally true, but there are circumstances in which a charity can transfer restricted funds for other purposes. Having read up on it a while ago, it's an onerous process that isn't guaranteed to succeed, and has to be very well justified.

That it's being suggested at all implies grave trouble.

 

Agreed! It can depend on the terms of the restriction. Sometimes it will be made clear that if the funds raised are insufficient, too much or the intended purpose can no longer be achieved then they can be re-purposed. Heaven forbid but my understanding is that the event of insolvency restricted funds are specifically reserved for creditors.