Swanage Railway General Discussion

Please, where did you get your information from Don? (From the What's going on thread.)

Must admit that I have great difficulty understanding how a Jubilee will fit through some platforms but not 31806! I'm afraid that it sounds like yet another "on paperwork" thing, just like the fiasco's with trying to get the class 117 DMMU from Eastleigh Works to Swanage by rail, and the more recent event, when the LT 4TC could not convey passengers to and from the Swanage Rly Diesel Gala back in May.
Could someone please clarify if the DCE is going to be 31806 from Weymouth to Southampton the next two Wednesdays please?

 

Andy

How does 70000 fit through platforms that 31806 doesn’t?
Ok, U class has fairly large outside cylinders, but not as big as a Britannia!

A year ago 31806 had no prohibits and only a couple of restrictions. It missed all 3 DCEs due to fire risk.

 

Sorry to use this but can’t find Andy Moodys post on What’s Going on. Info is from the Swanage Raikway webcam which is live 24/7

 

A Jubilee has fairly small cylinders (17-in dia.). A diagram shows an overall width of only 8ft 7in, which is less than most other large engines with outside cylinders. The large wheels mean that the cylinders are also set quite high, above typical platform height. Both factors mean that a Jubilee is likely to comfortably clear platform edges.

The Maunsell N-class and U-class moguls have smaller driving wheels and lower-set 19-in cylinders, with an overall width of 8ft 10in. That's still less than some other classes, but it may be enough to cause issues, particularly in locations where platforms have recently been raised or realigned and clearances need to be re-checked. Historically, these engines were barred from the width-restricted Tonbridge to Hastings route.

 

A rare opportunity on September 26 for those in the south to ride the branch on an HST on "The Bournemouth Belle"

https://www.branchline.uk/fixture.php

 

Sorry but more confusion. Which Swanage railway webcam is this? The only two that I am aware of are the cameras on Swanage and Corfe Signalboxes and these do not give information! Could you please provide a link.
I am curious to know if Network Rail have subsequently lifted the gauging restriction on 31806 or will 1Z83 be Diesel hauled between Weymouth and Southampton?
I posted on this thread and not the "Whats going on" thread.
Cheers Andy

 

If you watch the webcam you can see which locos are working the trains. I have no inside information

 

I was the guard that Friday, even wearing my Mackintosh I was drenched by the end of the day

 

My understanding is not on July 26th, August 2nd it must be only NR who know what will be likely case at the moment.

 

Hello
31806 is on this train this wednesday the 26th July,timings of its move from Swanage is in Realtime Trains.

 

Just because there are timings available on RTT if it WAS to go out. It doesn't automatically mean that it is actually 100% confirmed that it will go out

 

Just rung RTC. 31806 will NOT be working the return leg. the lady I spoke to just said "Diesel", which may mean 33012/D6515 taking up those paths.

She also said that the situation with the remaining DCEs has not been finalised.

 

No idea if D6515 enters in to the plan or not, ( I would be surprised as it must be far easier operationally to leave the WCRC diesel on the back) but it does not arrive back here until teatime from the MHR Gala.

 

Thanks for the clarification. I rather suspect that 1Z82 may be topped and tailed from Victoria but we will have to wait and see.

 

I assume the town and the railway had a better day today with the overflow car park in use (although only for about 10 cars) and a very packed 15:20 ex Swanage and a rammed DMU arriving on the 15:19 from Wareham.
U in service for the first time since June 29 and at least on the latter trains with a 33 on the back as a coach had been added to make six.
Difficult for the weather not to be better than yesterday so the Carnival may have benefited as well. Not sure what the firework trains were like last night but very few past our house and my wife who was "donation bucket counting" was back very early this morning.
Thought at first one of the reserved staff spaces had a McLaren road car parked there, but on getting closer it was in the next row, you need to be well off f to own one of them.

 

Yes town was very much busier Thursday probably due to the masquerade event during the evening. The coach parking bay on Gilbert Road - which can be used overnight by cars - had only a couple of empty spaces during the evening. Went up to Corfe Castle today and services busier after a what appeared to be a slow start.

 

Today's trains shown as steam are in fact topped and tailed 33 plus 6 plus 31806. Sincerly hope that this isn't the case next Saturday as we are visiting and don't want a DL involved. We get enough of that on the main line.

 

Carnival week ends tomorrow so visitor numbers may be less, and according to forecast warm enough next weekend for folks to be on the beach, which has not really been the case this week.

 

Last day is actually today (Saturday).

 

Yes losing the plot, not feeling great today (which is worrying as it is the first anniversary of catching Covid). Not hoping for history repeating itself.