Swanage Railway General Discussion

It was good to see on the Swanage webcam that Eddystone is in service today....but what is the tantalising glimpse of another Bulleid's tender? Is that Manston back in service now?

 

That's 257 Squadron's tender

 

Thanks Sim.

 

Manston is still in the workshops. Seemingly no near to returning then she was 2 months ago...

 

First day of The Royal Wessex offering and Eddystone departs with the 12:00 to Norden.
Nice to see the Maunsell coach had a small Royal Wessex board as well.

 

Do you know why?

 

no. there regular updates from a chap on shares them on the unofficial FB page but they still seem to be doing bits

 

I believe there may have been an issue with the U at departure time of the 13:15 yesterday. I was watching sport all afternoon but did hear trains in and out so took little notice other than checking the times. However it seemed to totally fox RTT, this is perhaps the best one where the train seemed to be some form of TARDIS and travelled backwards through time!
Not understanding how the Swanage RTT feed works compared to on NR I am sure there is a logical reason.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-pt:1290/2022-07-23/detailed
It would appear the U may also be unavailable today as 33111 currently operating.

 

Is 257 Squadron also not available?

 

Not in steam though. 31806 now at the head of the 14:00 service.

 

I noticed the loco on the set with the Maunsell coach did not carry a headboard today. Just looked on the website and the link to the Royal Wessex booking page seems to have broken, at least from the "Latest" on the home page, or has been removed. However it is possible to still book via the book travel ticket page it seems, if you progress that far.
Not sure if anyone from the railway knows why, otherwise I will email Martin tomorrow.

 

I also wonder whether using the "Royal Wessex" label to market it is perhaps a rather creative interpretation of history. Given that this particular named train didn't begin life until 1951 and was very much the premier express train on the Bournemouth line, second only to the Bournemouth Belle, I'd have thought that the authorities would have sought to use the most modern stock - i.e. Bulleids and later on, Mark 1 stock - rather than the older Maunsells. May I add that this isn't meant to be in any way a criticism of what I am sure is an excellent carriage restoration.

 

The Royal Wessex was specifically named for the Festival of Britain and had brand new BR Mk 1 coaching stock in carmine and cream. It did one round trip per day originating from Weymouth.

 

Someone asked the other day (I forget which thread) do trains ever leave from the bay at Swanage.
This morning (because there was a bistro last evening and the second set was stabled at Corfe) the Royal Wessex did.
I also took a stroll down (hike back) to Dickers this afternoon where the track gang have kindly cut the lineside, for another of the Royal Wessex runs and a regular service. Bulleid week here since Tuesday.

 

Found this site interesting when looking in to the history of The Royal Wessex

https://www.bloodandcustard.com/BR-CoachingSetsTheRoyalWessex.html

 

Thank you for providing this. There has been some suggestion (but I cant find the source) that BR were encouraged to support The Festival of Britain as much as it could due to criticism of its failure to support the 1948 Olympic Games. However in fairness it must be noted that BR had only commenced operations January 1948 and given the problems of the time had little resource to devote to what was a 17 day event where as the 1951 FOB was a summer long event (5 months in London plus regional events). It was estimated that 50% of the population participated / visited the FoB. I still have my great aunts rail ticket for visiting the FoB in London!

 

I went, from Solihull, by special train when at school, to the Festival of Britain. I was 11 at the time. We spent some time there and later in the afternoon visited the Battersea fun fair. Rowland Emett's famous train was there.

 

What do you mean? Do you think its just sat in the works with nothing happening? Loads going on with it. Its ultimately up to SLL to update people about 34070 not SR.

 

Conway Twitty Sang it many years ago

"Its only make believe"



From my school window used to see the Wessex from 1956 to 1961. Never saw a Maunsell coach on it.My memory was two minutes out as i had it leaving Poole at 8.23
Can you imagine though THROUGH coaches from Swanage!!
66 seats in total
Is there any footage of the RW coaches to/from Swanage?