Swanage Railway General Discussion

Ady I think it might be best to rephrase that. As it stands, that could be libellous.

Keith

 

It is.

 

I have done so. But surely I'm not the only one dissatisfied about the continued delays effecting the 'N' and 34072. Originally both were 'provisionally' 2015. Now I know these plans can slip but considering that Swanage has not had the ideal locomotive availability for the last two years especially last summer (which in some ways self inflicted ) I can't understand why the contractors have accepted the overhaul of 4930's boiler when there still outstanding work for Swanage not finshed which is having a negative impact. This year we had to rely on a engine which nearing the end of its ticket unsurprisingly keeps having minor niggles. I know the original contractor went bust but you would thought the main priority of the new owners was to finish the remaining work.

P.S. I know the delay since 34072's boiler returned is down to other things too.

 

On a positive note, however, the railway has managed very well this summer compared with 2017. Yes, 30120 has had a few niggles, but it has put in a very good stint recently. I think it has been in used every day for the last two weeks and was in good voice when I visited the line yesterday. 80104 and 31806 have done an heroic job and have proved very reliable throughout the summer period.

One of the loco staff told me that 34072's test runs will begin on Monday. Everyone seems to give the same message - "We took it out of Herston Works too soon." Well, anyone can make a mistake once, it's when you make the same mistake twice that perhaps criticism is justified and I can't see this happening again with a subsequent loco - lesson has been very definitely learnt.

You are not alone in looking forward to 31874's return. However, I think that patience is the order of the day - there's plenty to look forward to at Swanage in the coming few years. 31874's time will come before too long, not to mention the prospect of four Bulleids with in a couple of years and recent postings on the T3 thread suggest that the bottom end and boiler barrel are both in excellent condition. OK, a new inner firebox will be needed and maybe some other issues will surface, but there are good grounds for believing that we may not have too long to wait before this beautiful engine is working too.

One the subject of my visit to Swanage yesterday, I had my first ride in the Bulleid Brake coach (4365??) and may I say what a superb job has been done on it.

 

And at some point I assume thoughts will turn to 31625. However there are also overhauls approaching for 31806 and potentially 30120 if it stays at Swanage.

Of course there is also 30053 due back in service at some point.

 

34072 back in the siding with some of its casing off.

 

At some point a full statement will have to be made about 34072. A whole year now since overhaul, of sitting in a siding and hauling no revenue earning trains.

 

A slightly matt looking SKP, minus its rods on the shed this morning.
Could be 1967 (apart from the nameplate being present)

 

T9 30120 was failed on the service train on Friday and the 33 deputised for the afternoon. Normal service was resumed for the evening diner by bringing the U in to service. Hope it doesn't turn out to be to serious. In better news word has it that 34072 having had further fettling is due another test run shortly.

[edit - It failed on Saturday lunchtime not Friday]

 

Hope the appearance of 80104 today when the railways Twitter at 0730 said 31806 is not sign of another issue. Thought the tank would be off to its Somerset holiday by now.

 

Holiday cancelled for 80104 due to loco shortages http://wsr.org.uk/news.htm#1589

 

Thanks I had checked that news page before I hit the post button, guess it all crossed in the ether.

 

Does anyone know what is wrong with the T9?

 

Mogul did you mean failed on Saturday, I thought I saw it running on Saturday morning.

 

A few images from the first of three test runs by 257 Squadron today in between the service trains. (Of course the sun was out for the other two runs when I had a visit to the opticians booked!) Hopefully on course for a gala appearance.

 

@Gladiator 5076
I did mean Saturday, Sorry brain fade.

Great News!
257 has just completed a couple of days successful test runs. One of these double headed the service train from Swanage yesterday afternoon and hauled it back with the standard tank dragged on the back.

So 257 has at last hauled its first passenger train in over 15 years. I'm sorry I don't have any pictures to share but hoping someone else managed to snap it passing. Possibly unaware of the momentous event they were whitnesing.

There is still a small snagging list of increasingly minor items before it formally enters regular traffic but a Gala appearance is looking likely. Yesterdays test pilot crew were very enthusiastic on its return and I'm told that there is now an extremely good engine emerging from its chrysalis.

In other loco news SKP is progressing and work has started on investigating the source of the blow from the cylinder block in the T9.

After lots of hard work the fleet is coming back together. Coaches are looking smarter as well.

 

Maybe not the glamour of the return of a Bulleid Pacific, but the Super Turbot No DB978683 looks superb behind the Class 08, which not to be outdone, tries to impersonate a steam loco.

 

Half term news just seen on the Swanage Railway Facebook page -

Staniers are not just for Galas! Half Term with 44871!
As ‘The Exchanges’ Autumn Steam Gala comes to a close we are pleased to announce that visiting LMS Black Five ‘44871’, courtesy of Riley and Son (E), will be running between 20th - 28th October on our regular Blue Timetable!
This is a fantastic opportunity to see 44871 operating on the Swanage Railway with our normal fares - offering 6x round trips a day between Swanage and Norden.
We’ll be rounding up ‘The Exchanges’ in the coming days with a series of photo special posts, but we must thank each and everyone one of you who have attended!

 

Another early finish on a Swanage Gala afternoon shift.

Robin

 

A member of this Parish getting wet yesterday afternoon.