Swanage Railway General Discussion

..and not only that,in an area of "outstanding natural beauty" with SSIDs at virtually every siding why is SR using plastic cups anyway.??

 

What’s going in its place at Swanage?

 

When did you volunteer there then Oliverbest?

 

Sad to see this guy has retired, until now I did not know his name. I hope he enjoys his retirement.

 

Well, i think we have some stuff up at Woodpecker Sidings that would fit the bill!!

 

Yes he was a really good guard. I had him a number of times when I was ticket inspector. I remember the incident when a child fell down between the gap between train and platform and him after throwing the break handle to make sure the train weren't going anywhere then running down the platform.

 

I used to make the effort every time i was over,so at least six or seven years ago. I would think that SR would generate a lot of good publicity by reconsidering this decision. If someone can come up with the wholesale price of mugs. the price to print same,(do we have corporate sponsors?) there is a whole new appeal and one to which i would gladly contribute. Do we need a "new" dishwasher, include that also! Yes,we would have to pay people to operate but there is probably government funding from some source for that, and the added good publicity for enabling local jobs! and we would not be depriving our friends and neighbours in Corfe of needed income either!

 

Sob........

 

It staggers me that attempting to generate additional income streams by having catering at more of its stations, is apparently a 'bad idea'.

As for depriving neighbours of income, SR certainly needs it's slice of that particular cake as well!

 

...unless some heritage railways get back "on track" and widen their horizons they could be next!!

 

I was going say casue the Birds Nest and the new counter were doing that in Swanage anyway as was the Tea Truck before...

 

Do they? Are the profits that certain? And if capital is required to upgrade facilities, what is the most effective use of that capital?

I've never visited the establishment in question, and can't comment on whether I'd find the plans a loss or gain. But having been involved in similar discussions elsewhere, what seems obvious as a customer isn't always so obvious when looking at the books, and considering where to go. And, wherever and whenever I've travelled, I've seen plenty of eateries that have been struggled.

 

Read the real comments from real people(not just Railway enthusiasts) on the Petition site. There is a wider world beyond the spectacle plate!

 

As I'm sure you'll imagine, I've observed the behaviour of passengers at Swanage on quite a few occasions. The majority of them file straight out of the station, barely giving a second glance at the rest of the site. A smaller number watch the loco until it disappears into the loop; a vanishingly small number went across to the Birds Nest. It was too small, out of the way and by the end provided a substandard offering compared to most other outlets in Swanage. What it could offer is better dealt with from the kiosk in the Booking Hall, freeing up a useful operational siding and creating opportunities elsewhere.

This does not mean the end of catering in Swanage; far from it. It is simply changing the profile of it to something that better suits the railway's needs in the present day.

 

It's all academic anyway, it was moved yesterday...

 

Deleted

 

LOL

 

As I say, although the buffet in the carriage was not open, there is a catering outlet (and has been for the last year or two) in the form of a kiosk in the booking hall. It is simply a change in the profile of the offering to better suit our passengers.

 

Anecdotally,I can only say that whenever i have been to Swanage,the Birds Nest and its adjacent "garden" have been extremely well patronised..and if you read the comments on the petition, by a lot of locals as well. If this going to be a"kiosk" situation at Corfe where are people going to sit? Plastic cups at one of the UKs most beloved Heritage Stations? Bring back a good level of catering and service at the"Swanage Nest" and it will thrive. and please SR, start adhering to you stated goals. Its a matter of credibility and is the SR in danger of losing that. Listen to the people in your locality and you will win,not lose,friends.