Swanage Railway Spring Steam Gala: 24th - 26th March 2023

We know when the gala is, we know which visiting and home fleet engines are in service and we can purchase tickets.
Ok, we are awaiting the timetable but why the impatience? <BJ>

 

Read other posts and you may learn something

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...23-03-24/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

 

Look fine to us. Nice simple timetable. Fits well with our planned journey by train and bus though we could drive if ASLEF throw a wobbly. We always support the Swanage Galas whichever locos are used and stay at Corfe Castle at least once each summer to enjoy the railway, RSPB Arne (where last year we saw a Dartford Warbler) and beautiful Jurassic Coast.

 

Timetable now on SR Website but no detail so its not clear how loco changes are organised at the River Frome end

 

Looking at the Real Time Trains link posted, there is 10 minutes at Norden out and back in the working timetable.

 

You cannot do loco changes at River Frome it will have to be top and tailed from Norden or Corfe depending on which one the rear loco is attached or detached at.

 

Top and tailed from Norden.

 

Though that says full timetable, I do wonder if there's a Swanage-Corfe goods to be slotted in there too, just thinking back to some past Swanage galas and also noting that Manston and 76084 have a 3-hour gap in passenger duties and 31806 only does one trip.

Very happy with that line-up and timetable as it stands anyway and looking forward to being there for the Friday. I've not really had 31806 much at Swanage and it on the climb back up from River Frome with Britannia on the tail looks like a highlight. Eager to discover which way round the visitors face once they're there so I can plan my travel/photography moves.

Got in at the discount deadline to get my ticket for this too, which has made it superb value.

 

Thanks. Hope to have a chance to say hello at Harmans Cross on the Saturday if you are signalman and if the Brit is facing Swanage

 

Yes we have our tickets and like the timetable. When we see which way round the Brit is we can do a plan assuming the Bulleids stay as they are.

 

There are freight workings from Swanage at 10:15, 11:15, 14:15 and 15:15, returning from Corfe at 39 minutes past those hours. Locos for each round trip are 31806, 34070, 76084 and 31806 respectively.

Brake van rides will be made available on these trips; keep an eye on the railway's website and social media pages if you're interested.

 

Sadly I'll be signalling trains on nights at the 'proper' job over the gala weekend; I'm sure I'll find myself around the railway at some point though!

 

Thanks Rumpole, that's great news. Very tempted by a brake van ride so will keep an eye out.

 

Full WTT now in the SR website

 

Any idea which way round the two visiting locos will be? Thanks

 

As someone who at one time designed bus diagrams and driver duties I was fascinated to see the duties on the WTT. The big thing now of course is writing all the names in and then covering no shows and problems on the day. Been there done it. Great fun-not!

 

In the case of 76084, no idea, Is it moving from Sheringham by rail or road?.
70000 departs Crewe at 0621, arriving Swanage 2146 on the 22nd March, via Shrewsbury, Hereford Bristol Westbury Yeovil Steam Centre, where there is a possibility that it may be turned during the two hour stop over, which on that basis means it would be facing London.
Whilst at Swanage, it would make sense for Britannia to face London as it is easier to take water. I guess the answer is, We will have to wait and see !

 

I would have thought watering is less of an issue than normal at the gala, as the loco will never have to run round its train to take the same set out. Seems there is an hour and 20 from arrival until its next train, or an hour if not released before the set departs. Ample time to water at leisure I would think.
I would expect as before Xmas a shorter set for the driver experience so that would not be an issue either.

 

True.

 

Unlike its last gala visit, this return move does seem to imply facing London for the visit (as pointed out by a friend of mine.)
Only 12.5 hours for the return.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U66127/2023-04-11/detailed