[Oct 11, 2019] Swanage Autumn Steam Gala 2019 (Swanage Railway)

Surely 34053 would be better facing the other way for the DH with 34072?

 

It was a balancing act between facing the same way as 34072, and facing the same way as 73156 (which is required to face Swanage for work in the week after the gala). The conclusion was reached that the double header with 73156 was probably going to be a rarer, and more desirable one, than one with two home-fleet locos that we can do at a future events, particularly as in due course we may have 4 Bulleids around the place.

By having an even split of locos facing each way, it also means that the majority of workings ‘over the road’, and freight workings, are worked by locos chimney first. I’m quite looking forward to 34053 on the down freight being passed by 34072!

 

Thanks

 

34053 witnessed moving around at Tyseley this morning; due back to Swanage next Monday according to the paperwork I’ve seen. That’s a decent step forward...!

 

Slightly off topic question, was 34053 at tyseley for a overhaul or repairs?

 

Would certainly get my vote as I would agree 257 and SKP could be done many times in the future.

 

It is described on the news page of the SLL website (January 2019) as "a complete bottom end overhaul".

 

Really looking forward to seeing these two together, and superb to see a few facing swanage. Really looking forward to this gala

P. S is there a pines headboard anywhere for this double header....

Matt

 

or Bournemouth Belle, Atlantic Coast Express or for a bit of fun The Tourist

 

There is an ACE one, see post #2988 in the general Swanage thread and it was also used during the Bulleid Gala in 2017.

 

I have a suspicion the Atlantic Coast Express headboard may make an appearance on one of the double headers with 30120 and 34072...

 

...as long as the headboards only make occasional appearances, please! One of the great features of the Swanage Railway in my opinion is the rarity (although not complete absence) of either headboards or locos being painted in fictitious identities, both of which are a complete turn-off for myself and, I know, for some others. After all, if you study pictures of the 1960s, even the named trains (ACE, BB, etc) often ran headboard-less

 

….and the beloved Pines Express. <BJ>

 

On a personal basis, I couldn’t agree more. I do like the ‘everyday’ look.

 

As many headboards as possible is welcome, its a gala, you want less head boards go on an ordinary running day.

 

Yep, clean carriages and dirty loco's

 

The tender to be used with 34053 (34070’s tender, while 34053’s is away at Tyseley for repair) was turned at Swanage today ready for the arrival of the loco later on tonight. It’ll be the first time that 34053 has run facing Swanage, and (I think) the first time a home fleet (as opposed to visiting) rebuilt Bulleid has run facing Swanage since early on in 34028’s ticket back in 2004/2005.

Thanks are due to all those who helped with the move and the turning.

 

34053 arrived back from Tyseley today, and was brought down to Swanage this evening after the close of service. Thanks are due to our Steam Loco Superintendent and Operations Manager for agreeing to 34053 facing this way, and to all those who helped with the associated moves and turning 34070’s tender ready.

Tomorrow its time for 31806 to return!

 

I won’t be around Swanage today (this strange thing called ‘work’ getting in the way); are any of our local correspondents able to get a picture of 31806 returning for this thread please?

 

See what I can do later , it was still at Norden when I came back from my wife's daily visit to Poole Hospital. I had a very unexpected close encounter (almost far too close) with the low loader by the Haycrafts Lane junction in Harmans Cross last evening about 1910.
I understood that the low loaders normally went across the back road to Corfe?