Swanage Railway General Discussion

She being Eddystone or the Prairie?


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Good point. The Prairie.

 

I'm sure after the bashings you've been giving them recently, the SR are really pleased to have you as a member...

 

Apart from the usual cries of “she’s Western”, I’d say overall the crews have appreciated her for what she is. It’s a bit of a different challenge to a Bulleid but I’d say she’s proved her worth over the last 2x months. She’s been hired as a small loco to see the line through the shoulder months as a cheaper option to steaming the Bulleids, whilst also giving the maintenance team time to complete maintenance on the home fleet.

All has gone to plan, with 31806 / 34028 / 34072 now available for service and 5526 handled the majority of services as planned (though I think there was 1x failure over half term). I’ve enjoyed her, though I’ve not had as many turns as others have.

 

She has been an experience

 

So's being burnt at the stake. Care to elaborate, please.

 

I went to the Swanage Railway yesterday - 12th April with my two oldest sons (20 & 13)

Leaving home later than expected we diverted via Wareham as my oldest wanted to see if he could see PS Monarch. In the event we ended up at the Italian Bakery on North Street for Sandwiches and Fresh Orange Juice

https://www.theitalianbakery.co.uk/

Well worth a visit!

We arrived at Norden in good time for the 1400 train hauled by 5526, including the magnificent Maunsell Third Open. To emphasize my point about catering I had a coffee from Norden and was pleased to see that they had Tea Pigs tea.

A nice run to Swanage followed with a trip to Chococo for ice cream and a walk down the pier and back on the 1615 behind 5526 again in the Maunsell coach.

While we were on season tickets the local economy benefitted from a reasonable bit of spending - if I had had the money it would have been doubled at the bookshop!

Again Swanage staff made us very welcome.

 

From the Southern Locos last update with Manston 33070 almost complete.
"With any luck Swanage Railway will have three operational Pacifics for the summer season - quite an attraction, and one which should bring in many paying customers."

What's happened to 34072 as it would be good to have 4 working steam locos (3 Pacifics and 31806) for the summer season?
Has 34072 been returned from the GCR?

 

Nope, It can clearly be seen in the Goods shed road at Swanage in Gladiator 5076,s picture (6583) and it was in that position last Friday as well, when I was SW signalman.

 

I believe that Squadron has been having its annual boiler inspection.
The U has been having work on its motion, valves and pistons, it was steamed recently, but I don't know the current status.

 

Nothing more to say. Not my personal choice of loco.
Whats most important is that Joe Public gets to see a steam loco at front of the train.
It did what it was supposed to do.....tick the box. End of story

 

Bloody typo. I meant ‘72, ‘70 is still in the works at Herston.

 

Good to see progress with 563's boiler on facebook. After the Squadron's steam pipe repair and boilers being so critical, perhaps some apprentices could be trained, so, like the MHR, boiler overhauls can be done in house in future rather than being dependant on 3rd party contractors?.

 

33012 being returned by rail today from Eastleigh, with a restored class 50 for testing?

 

Realtime Trains | 0Z50 1212 Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) to Swanage | 14/04/2022

 

According to a post on another site, It's 50026 for the upcoming Diesel gala in May.

 

Kinda of need specialist staff and and equipment for that which Swanage doesn't necessarily have in spades...

 

Having apprentices has, afaik, been discussed on a number of occasions and indeed there was I think one some years ago. However issues over recruitment and retention have dissuaded SRC from this course of action.