Swanage Railway General Discussion

Cheers Tom, I should have added 100 mile round trip.

 

Yes, I suspect 100 miles round trip is probably more realistic for most ordinary people looking for a day out rather than 100 miles one way. Though if you live specifically in Swanage, there isn't much inside that radius - even the Mid Hants is 130 miles round trip according to Google. (Swanage - Alresford); likewise the East Somerset at Cranmore.

Is there any well-established standard gauge line within 50 miles driving distance of Swanage?

Tom

 

Only the one that goes to Norden and Wareham

 

D'oh! Yes, apart from that one, obviously!

Tom

 

Traditionally the Christmas festive period ends on January 6th (and some pantos later).
I noticed a cinema near me had the PE film as part of a children's pajama party!

Maybe SR and PE could have lasted longer to get children and families off school (with more of income?), maybe PE started too early mid November and should have started December?. I expect the Swanage PE team are starting to get quite worn out now, the DMU is much less labour intensive to run than a large steam loco for a couple of days before the Winter warm up.
Next year the M7 will be available which which will be less labour intensive for smaller length trains on off peak days.

 

If @buzby2 figure of C19000 PE passengers is correct this is nearly double the number of passengers carried on the "traditional" santa specials operated previously.

Assuming that SRC negotiated a suitable operating cost including a healthy profit margin to charge the PE franchise holder then SRC will have benefitted enormously from this arrangement.

 

Could not resist it Tom.
But you are correct I think the MHR is the nearest and even coughing up for the ferry both ways saves little mileage really, and lightens the pocket rather these days.

 

I wouldn't assume that just because a loco is small it is necessarily less labour. The coupling and uncoupling (which in my experience is the most tiring bit of a day) is the same regardless of the loco. From a preparation point of view, a 4MT tank with a rocking grate and mechanical lubricators will be easier for both driver and fireman than a loco with a grate that has to be sliced out by hand and motion that has to be oiled somewhat precariously from between the frames. And what a small loco and small train misses out on in physical labour of firing it more than makes up on in the mental challenge of always needing to be closer to the "sweet spot".

Don't get me wrong - I love small engines. But they aren't in any way less work than a larger one, particularly a modern larger one.

Tom

 

There is the mob that runs to Waterloo from Wareham, although SR has been around a lot longer than them, so hardly established.

 

Swanage only seemed to receive the edge of Storm Gerrit. But like a lot of days of lousy weather as it got dark things improved (for a while).
In a strange purple glow the Polar Express stock for the 16:45 trip sits outside the station behind Eddystone on December 27.

 

Swanage railway did post on Facebook and Instagram of a BIG ANNOUNCMENT at 5pm today regarding a special event (showing a photo of the U class). But both have been delated!

Wondering if its an announcement of a big steam gala ? or the U going mainline

 

Just taken a look at the Events and Experiences page. I see there is a "New" Class 33 driver experience course from 6th-8th March 2024.
"We are offering the rare opportunity to drive a class 33" The event is already SOLD OUT!
Interestingly, there are still three vacancies to drive 34028 on the first round trip of the day on the Pines express 21st 23rd Feb and 1st March.

 

It already is mainline...

 

Well 5pm has been and gone with no announcement.

 

Very strange.

 

Post was also removed as well

 

A repeat of 2023s March Steam gala?
But if the SR keep the U hopefully more mainline trips to offset lease charges?

 

Wonder how much money it would cost for the U to do a mainline trip to Bournemouth, (from Swanage) then do a Bournemouth - Swanage (4/5 hours) - Bournemouth for people in the BCP area before finally taking back the people it took to Bournemouth in the morning back to Swanage.

Could either be top and tailed with the 33 or run around in Bournemouth. (I believe the 5 mark 1s are mainline but dont have CDL so would have to run under West Coast style safety with door bolt and a member of rail staff in every car?)

If you really wanted to that Steam service doesn't have to be an 'added service' and could just be the first train from Norden starting earlier at Bournemouth and the final service from Swanage being extended to Bournemouth. (It would change the first service from Swanage however to 9 instead of 10 and last service from Norden being 6.30 ish instead of 5.15.)



I think I remember the recent HST which also did a Swanage- Bournemouth-Swanage mini trip raised 60k for charity - thats more than what the recent Swanning Around mag stated they have raised with the SOS appeal (40ishk)

 

You are @martin1656 and I claim my £5

Tom