Swanage Railway Spring Steam Gala - 8-10 April 2016

Just a quite 'save the date' message at this stage, that the Swanage Railway Spring Steam Gala will be taking place from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 April 2016. A more formal announcement will be made shortly, but it is planned that in service will be the resident fleet of locomotives, 30053, 31806, 34070 and 80104 (subject to availability), along with visiting loco(s) to be announced.

Anyone who has been to a Swanage gala recently will know the sort of thing to expect; a frequent three-train passenger service from around 09:00 into the evening, freight workings in the morning and early evening, along with one in the middle of the day, all in the spectacular Purbeck countryside.

I hope to see you there! In the meantime, any questions, please do ask and I will try to answer as quickly as possible.

 

It would seem that a visit of ex-GWR 42XX Class 2-8-0T No. 4247, from it's base at Bodmin & Wenford Railway, is on the cards this April.
Chunky!
This is subject to all the usual caveats, availability, etc.

 

Steam trains will run to the NR boundary at Worgret during the gala.
https://www.facebook.com/swanagerailway/

 

That's a real bonus. Very tempting. With 4247 in the frame as well, I very much hope I can make it. Thanks for posting

 

Timetable and loco workings are now on the railway's website at:-

http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/userfiles/files/Spring Gala PTT 2016 v7 (12-03-16).pdf

 

I see from the website that 4247 has arrived. I hope the gala goes well. Very much hoping to pay a visit (probably on Saturday) Weather not looking too bad and with an intensive service, plenty of chance for a ride (including up to the River Frome bridge) and to take some pictures as well.

A couple of questions for anyone from Swanage:- firstly, do the trains running beyond Norden require pre-booking or is it a case of turning up and hoping there will be a seat? Secondly, as for loco directions, is it three tank engines facing Swanage and two tender engines facing Wareham?

Thanks

 

What way is 4247 facing currently and is it planned to be turnt this weekend at all ? Ta in advance

 

The WTT has been rewritten today (7/4/16). It is on the website to download.

Anyone interested in 4247 are advised to view it.

 

That doesn't sound good.. ...
So its only doing the bits towards Wareham from looks of it...

 

Needs proof reading.

The 1715 arrival at Worgret arrives with 30053 / 4247 TnT, but departs with 34070 / 4247 TnT...

Guessing the 42 has a gauging issue somewhere, hence her now restricted use?

 

Thats disappointing was the only reason to go, understandable though.

 

Isn't this the first Swanage Rail service along the Worgret section? Plenty of reason to go just for the mileage, there's a decent climb in each direction. If I wasn't working this weekend I'd be there.

 

Looking forward to changing at Warehan soon and travelling to Swanage.

 

Corfe Castle Up platform; as such it works up on the morning freight (as that is booked Down lines at all stations), then works back on the last River Frome passenger trip.

Either way, it will sound good climbing up from the River Bridge to Furzebrook with something hanging on the back!

 

BBC News 08/04/16:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-35999003

 

A couple of snaps from Swanage box of the disposal line this evening - very black, if you like that sort of thing...

Robin

 

Very black, very 'eavy, very 'umble...!

 

Except when Ashley's earning himself a Marbles Award, going off a report on fbk?

 

The gauging issue with 4247 was a real 'fail', unbelievable really when its dimensions are easily looked up. It consequently did very little today really compared to the other locos but gave Manston a nice dead weight to tow uphill back to Norden this afternoon. That said with the other four engines all so right for the Swanage line it was a great line up and a good length freight train with a real variety of wagons.

One thing galas suffer from is 'last train syndrome' when the main station cant cope with returning trains and gets blocked causing late running. This evening to make room for the out of gauge 4247 it was decided Manstons 18.15 departure from Swanage should shift to platform 2. To shelter from the cold winds passengers had eagerly boarded the train on its arrival. We were to be asked to get off as a shunt to platform 2 was needed to allow Platform 1 to be used by 4247. As all the points have locking bars and trains had been using platform 2 all day why the train needed evacuating is a mystery. Then it was decided we could stay on the train while it was shunted. By this time the guard decided he would lock the carriage behind Manston out of use. Thanks a bunch! We wanted to travel behind the loco for obvious reasons. On asking why this had been done we were told the reason was too long to explain. We then had a long wait at Harmans Cross probably waiting for 31806 running round the freight down at Corfe. Note to self remember not to get the last train on a gala day!
As Harmans Cross doesn't have any catering and its a popular place to watch the trains could the nearby village hall be asked to open up for refreshments and they can use the income for its upkeep? There could even by some trade stalls and society stands in there.

 

Any snaps to share from linesidets yesterday or today? Working Swanage box is (for signalling nuts like me) great fun at a Gala but it would be pleasant to see some shots of trains 'on the run'.

Robin