Swanage Railway General Discussion

Well, for what its worth, I'm going to be in Swanage for the first time since 2004 on Saturday. We're coming specifically to see an old friend, now restored in LSWR 563, hopefully running, but that's beyond our control as to whether she's rostered this weekend. I've seen her move about plenty when she was our guest in Toronto, but we are starting our trip by going straight from Heathrow to the Swanage to roll the dice and see her again, now restored. Getting to ride behind her and photograph her in steam would just be a bonus.

Interesting, to the comments being made up in the thread about market, from Swanage, our trail takes us to Porthmadog and a first visit to the Ffestiniog, with a very much day out in one of the Pullman Observations from Porthmadog to Blaenau and back, with hopefully some time in the afternoon after our return for me to do some lineside photography of the rest of the days services.

As to the question of steam and diesel, given the distance I am travelling and the costs, I will prioritize going somewhere to see steam and ride behind it as that barely exists here. But that's not a disinterest per say, and in all honesty, my level of interest in preserved diesels has grown not diminished as I've aged and become more familiar with them. I would love to see/ride the scotrail push pull set recreation and log some hours behind some Class 37's, but gotta prioritize the hours and dollars!

Stephen

 

Have to disagree there - I've just spent today driving a DMU and practically everyone I passed away from railway property on the adjacent heathland, caravan park and golf course all stopped what they were doing and watched. I think stopping and watching is a general train thing... Now whether they buy a ticket and ride or not is an entirely different thing!

Sent from my moto g(8) power lite using Tapatalk

 

They were not part of the normal operation. I photographed them on Excursions on the Brighton main line but nobody could say they were correct for that line

 

I completely agree. I've travelled behind a Deltic to Penzance but would argue that they are not correct for the Cornish resort just because one of the class appeared there. <BJ>

 

Well the U is on services today, replacing Eddystone, so I would expect that to be the loco on Saturday, but I am sure someone from the railway could tell you the plan.
563 is currently in its home in the loco shed.

 

I'm afraid that to the best of my knowledge, 563 is not due to be running on Saturday and will be tucked away in the shed.

 

But weren't they also regulars in Dorset from Castle Cary - Weymouth, and on the Bridport branch?

 

Was in Toronto 2011 according to https://563locomotivegroup.co.uk/history/
Hopefully someone here, or by an email to the SR office, will help arrange a visit if in the engine is sheltering in the shed protecting its paintwork from the English weather?

 

Don't let the facts get in the way of a good kicking. What about LED lamps in the signals? Never had them eh? I'm not going to visit any heritage railway that's not got proper lamps. I want to see a flame, just like it was.

On top of that, let's get some lead back in the paint and good old 60's asbestos back in the lagging.

 

Yes, I am a volunteer at the Toronto Railway Museum and was on the crew that helped look after 563 on arrival in 2011 before she moved into the theatre tent.

I’ve been in semi-regular contact with people involved in 563 and the railway. So yes, hopefully at least we’ll be able to get into the shed if she’s not out and about running. Last chance I’d had to email they weren’t sure yet what would be rostered and out and about this week on the railway.

In any event. Two work days to a very very long overdue vacation. Whatever is running will be running.

Stephen

 

Back in the '80s there was a Weymouth to South Wales DMU service that went via Southampton. IIRC Saturdays in the summer.
So DMU are not out of place

 

Sorry for this really anorak level question, but over the years I am gradually building up images of much of the railway, not just the locos.
The gradient profile published for some galas and on the NP thread shows some missing bridge numbers
6
8
21
26
29
30
I have an image of a sign for Bridges 6, 8, 21, do they have a names?
Is Bridge 26 near Cow Pat?
I assume Bridge 30 is Swan Brook what is/was 29?
I also have images of signs for Bridges 7A & 7B (although 7B appears not to be much of a bridge at all).

Anyone able to help?

 

Bridge 30 is actually Court Road bridge. Never actually a railway bridge, but counted in the bridge numbers.

I'm sure others on here, could provide more context on that one.

29 is Swan brook bridge.

 

Thanks Josh

 

Hi Gary.
I suspect they might in fact be Culverts, N0 6 would be between Cobbs lane viaduct and Holme Lane No 8 between Holme Lane and Grange road, 21 between Affington and Woodhyde
26 between New Barn and Washpond Lane.
I obviously don't know the exact locations, but hope this helps.

 

I think Andy from a look at the Google satellite view 26 must be between Cow Pat and Washpond. Probably not much more than a ditch, must check next time I ride by.
21 is what I assume is called a cattle creep near Afflington, which ends up in a lot of my images, although I noticed during the Victorian weekend the 21 sign seems to have disappeared recently.

 

Here is one I took between Affington and Woodhyde of 34070 on a freight on 9th January 2012
crossing culvert 21, Since then the area around the railings has become "bushed in"
I have also got a photo featuring Culvert 6 taken from Holme Lane, It is situated near the pile of earth.

 

I might come, but if so it will be by train to Wareham. What's the most convenient way of getting from Wareham station to somewhere on the SR?

 

Now what can this be?
Realtime Trains | 0Z33 1130 Swanage to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) | 05/04/2024
Realtime Trains | 0Z50 1430 Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) to Swanage | 05/04/2024