Swanage Railway General Discussion

"2024 is just round the corner and it has been a long held wish that we would have four of our Pacifics operational at the same time and in the same place. Hopefully this will come to fruition at Swanage in June on completion of Sir Keith Park. At this stage there is no guarantee that we will be able to complete it by then as Tyseley still awaits the boiler to effect the swap. However, being ever optimistic, we have sought permission to move 257 Squadron from the Spa Valley for a weekend in June to hold a mini Bulleidfest which may develop into a bigger event. Watch this space!"

Southern Locomotives Ltd | Latest News (southern-locomotives.co.uk)
Soooo

Could we see a new Bullied Gala in June. Lets hope so.

 

I'd argue if you're letting lots of members of the public have a play in different areas like guard experience and a driving exp with the 08(?) I'd say you want fewer paths taken so there's more slack to allow inexperienced people to play about

 

Just taken a look at the timetable and all dates from the 18th to the 28th March are still showing no trains operating, I would have thought that if there is going to be some sort of gala on the dates above, they would be indicated by an *

 

The 08 Driver Experiences will be running from platform 1 at Swanage towards the sidings, keeping them separate from the main running line as per an SR policy decision not to operate DX's on the main line on service train operating days. As such, 'third path' trains that would otherwise use platform 1 (like the freight at the Winter Warm Up) couldn't be run due to this.

You could go for a normal two-train service, but then this would have to be balanced against anticipated passenger numbers, along with managing risk; for example, you would want to suspend signal box visits while crossing movements took place at that 'box. The Winter Warm Up is a proven event over a period of nearly a decade, the Community Weekend is more akin to the old 'Open Weekends' of the early 2000's. That's not to say it won't develop in future years, but small acorns and all that.

 

SLL seems to be on the way with Herston works and Sellindge to be becoming a centre of excellence restoring Bulleids for other railways. It also has been helping with the 563, restoring the 30053 together with the Drummond society, and perhaps will contribute to the T9 overhaul. Guess as long as SLL contributes their share towards the building lease no problem?

On Facebook a wonderful drone's eye video of the Whitehead Railway Museum in Northern Ireland popped up (although might have preferred a bit of commentary rather than the music)
https://fb.watch/pCtGj5fys6/

Near me the large Co Op store closed, and became a number of smaller local convenience stores, set me wondering if the Swanage Co Op might do the same and give the large store building near the station to the Swanage railway as a similar undercover visitor centre/ museum/ workshop, perhaps charging an entrance fee to pay for it?.
But seems unlikely.

 

Voting for 563 for the Steam Railway Magazine Award closes soon
https://www.steamrailway.co.uk/read...uITnESU9ZANZoSntHJn6umQ7F7v6137rMp6grUYg_eZSc

 

Do not think you would find much support for closing the Coop from the locals (or many of the SR staff who seem to get lunch there.)
That would only leave Budgens with the option of a small Sainsburys in Wareham or a 40 mile round trip to Poole for the usual range of supermarkets.
Good suggestion to make the railway very unpopular with the locals.

 

Swanage enjoys no major out of town retail parks, so still has a butcher, baker and candlestick maker, so to speak.
The CO-OP is the superstore with a very small s.
I doubt that SR could afford the ground rent etc if the site became available anyhow.

 

Although ironically of course a butcher is one of the few remaining old style shops in Swanage

 

Wasn't 2017 enough?

 

No

 

There can never be enough Bulleid Pacifics

 

As long as they are Jarvis's, yes.
(I'm fetching my coat ... ...)
Pat

 

Ah, the improved Britannia's

 

Ah, the de-tuned ones.

 

Classic Jarvis de-tune.

 

I totally agree, there weren't enough. Six would have been fantastic. <BJ>

 

We definitely do not need more.

 

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo. . . . . . .

 

Brand new Victorian weekend plus Easter Specials been announced on the SR website and social media.

'Victorian Weekends' looks to be the 2024 Steam gala.... Are there many in steam Victorian locomotives running atm???