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SWT Bubble car

Discussion in 'Diesel & Electric Traction' started by Lewisb06, Mar 22, 2009.

  1. Lewisb06

    Lewisb06 Member

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    SWT's bubble car (960012) was delivered to Swanage yesterday by the rail connection.

    It will be going to Ramparts within next 2 weeks to have its doors and seats reinstated.
     
  2. John Elliot Jnr

    John Elliot Jnr Well-Known Member

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    It was straight into service yesterday operating the 'brake van' specials at Swanage station. According to the SR General Manager, after refurbishment the Bubblecar will return to Swanage to join the existing DMU fleet.
     
  3. Christopher125

    Christopher125 Part of the furniture

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    Will it be kept mainline registered? (i presume it has OTMR)

    Chris
     
  4. John Elliot Jnr

    John Elliot Jnr Well-Known Member

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    There was no mention of it going main line in the future.
     
  5. arthur maunsell

    arthur maunsell Well-Known Member

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    can I ask...from its current number , would this be 55012? if so its a Gloucester rather than pressed steel built unit is it? Pictures would be luvverly
     
  6. Lewisb06

    Lewisb06 Member

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    I am reliably informed that its 55028.

    Have some photos(received via email) of it arriving at Swanage but am unsure how to post them on here.....

    Techno phobe me....
     
  7. bhallett

    bhallett Well-Known Member

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  8. 34007

    34007 Part of the furniture

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    I love SWT livery - But doesn't look right on a Bubble Car (And am I right this being the camera unit)??
     
  9. Lewisb06

    Lewisb06 Member

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    No it was used by SWT as a route learning unit.
     
  10. Dan Bennett

    Dan Bennett Member

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    it doesnt have OTMR, was not considered a requirement
     
  11. 6136

    6136 Member

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    I would have thought that main line would be very unlikely. The one used by Chiltern on the Aylesbury-Princes Risborough services is allowed only on that branch and occasionally to Quainton and with a maximum speed of 40 MPH due to the perceived risk of a mark 1 coach with no barrier vehicle.
     
  12. Christopher125

    Christopher125 Part of the furniture

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    I asked as i saw something recently that still mentioned using the 117's bought by the council to run a shuttle service to Wareham, for which the 121 could be added for more capacity.

    Chris
     
  13. sigsnguard

    sigsnguard Member

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    The Dorset purchased 117s are 3 car units which will require extensive work on them before being allowed onto the main line.

    The bubblecar was simply a chance not to be missed and will be used singly in our quiet moments or it could boost the 2 car 117/108 if required. We plan to replace about half of the original doors but CDL is not on the radar. Neither of the SR DMUs are planned to go mainline either.
     
  14. cheekylittlemonkey81

    cheekylittlemonkey81 New Member

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    I was on crossing duty at Norden and got these images for your entertainment
    [​IMG]
    ex-SWT bubblecar at the Stopboard awaiting clearance to move over the Norden Crossing
    [​IMG]
    Following the 11:50 departure from Norden the bubblecar was cleared to travel through to Corfe Castle
    [​IMG]
    The Swanage Railway 117 passes with the 11:50 Swanage to Norden service
     
  15. conireland

    conireland Member

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    It looks very good already! Could I ask, without sounding arrogant, who is John Cameron?
     
  16. Romsey

    Romsey Part of the furniture

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    Owner of 60009 Union of South Africa and 61994 Thr Great Marquess.
    One of the Directors of Stagecoach Rail division.
    One time member of Scottish Region Board.

    He also runs a major farming operation in Fife. There was a good background article on his preservatioon activities a few months ago in Steam Railway.

    I've met him and he is a great character and has got a very good unterstanding of preservation and current commercial railway operations.

    Regards, Neil
     
  17. cheekylittlemonkey81

    cheekylittlemonkey81 New Member

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  18. Keelar001

    Keelar001 Member

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    A very nice chap indeed - he should have been a driver!!
     
  19. conireland

    conireland Member

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    Thanks for the reply Romsey
     
  20. buzby2

    buzby2 Well-Known Member

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    I believe he has been known to put a finger print on 60009's regulator from time to time over the decades and is certainly never far away from the fireman's seat on many tours. [Actually, he uses a cloth like the professionals so there shouldn't be fingerprints.]

    Must ask if we are keeping the name plates during the Bubble's restoration/repaint at Ramparts or whether they're going back to SWT.
     

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