Swanage Railway General Discussion

I am hoping if this season is good fincially for the Swanage railway, some summer rail tours with the LU 4TC or Brighton Belle EMU, or a Saturday only Wareham Corfe DMU shuttle, could run in 2025?
Been debated in the Project Wareham thread. I also hope to win the lottery; but odds are low.

 

AFAIK the reason for using a 117 was that as a 3 car DMMU there are 4 engines and associated clobber so the risk of it being a total failure on the main line is minimal. With a DEMU/TC set there is only a single 'engine' so if that goes it takes everything with it and you have a train blocking the main line

 

That is a lot of WIBN.
I guess of the three the LU4TC would be the least difficult and perhaps most financially viable if someone like UKRT want to repeat what they did the other year.
Brighton Belle as said the other day, I do not see what would be in it for LSL except extra complexity and cost.
Wareham either needs the SR to become a TOC or the use of someone like WCRC again. Money I suggest if the SR had, could be used better elsewhere on the railway.

 

It ain't going to happen. This is a railway appealing for money to stay in business.

 

Could be passenger numbers this year are up, the appeal brings in cash and the sale of rolling stock works.
But from this post,

But DMU 117 was brought by Dorset County Council back in 2004 specifically for the Wareham service
https://preserved.railcar.co.uk/51356.html
As above it has the advantage of 4 motors, and a more panoramic view for passengers.
Guess as the chance of the Wareham service restarting soon the 117 unit is not needed and could be sold to another heritage railway for much needed cash. The mainline kit and central door locking kit kept for the 33/4TC unit working in a more authentic push pull mode if the Wareham service does restart sometime?
Also who actually owns the 117 DMU?

 

The railway has been using the DMU for evening services, and as a second service train off peak. I'd find it hard believe that it is rotting away and I can't see Swanage disposing of it even if they never run another service to Wareham.

 

And who would be paying to mainline certify 33111 and crew it for Wareham?

 

The owners probably would like to get 33111 certified for mainline, it has been to some galas with the LU 4TC unit.
It's going to be off again soon to the Bluebell line gala to work push pull with the 4-VEP unit.

 

From the Swanage Railway unofficial Facebook page they are extending the siding West of Herston Halt with a platform by 36 feet (enables two coaches). This is where the existing railway dump is. Apparently according to that post its for a new coach work....

Wonder why this is needed as if anything the railway has just got rid of stock. Anyone can shed any more light on this???
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Post also says in the comments apparently work again still start soon on the 10 - car carriage siding which is very badly needed to keep stock in good condition. While 10 coach is far from the total it does now enable both sets of day stock to be in there during winter

 

Are you referring to this?
Dump seems a strange choice of word.

 

Yes, I was also going to question that.

It certainly is not a dump. It is used as the main stores and working area for the Herston station team.

 

I have been reading the last two pages and I am at a loss to understand why some of you want to dispose of the class 117?
It may have escaped some peoples notice but it has been the second train in the green timetable this year and was performing the evening service last night (Saturday 24th August) in connection with the film festival in the grounds of the Castle.
I am told that the evening service is doing very well in general and was certainly well patronized last night.

 

Hope the DMU is not sold, but it's the next logical rolling stock that could be sold if the summer season and appeal does not raise enough cash.
The 117 was brought for the Wareham service, which seems to be over, and currently not needed, a 33 with MK1 coaches could do the 2nd train and evening services.

There is some hope the railway will survive, and at some point, if the problems discussed above can be sorted, some kind of Wareham DMU services could resume.

 

Presumably the railway is using the 117 in preference to a 33 and Mk1s for a reason though? Those reasons may not be strong enough to prevent a sale if really desperate though.

Another issue that crossed my mind specifically for the Swanage 117 is - who'd buy it? It's got all the mainline flashing lights and bells, CDL etc, which presumably makes it much more valuable than any other 117. But who'd be prepared to pay the premium that ought to command, when they almost certainly wouldn't need it, and would Swanage be prepared to let it go for the price of an 'ordinary' 117 just to sell it and get some quick cash? I don't know if it's owned by a Trust, but they may have difficulties selling it for less than what it's worth if so.

 

On a simple level, running a DMU on the evening service Swanage box can be locked out as no need to run round. I love working the DMU's and the public love them, witness the pointy elbows trying to sit at the front for the best views.
The railway will survive, it just needs to adjust to its customer base and increase footfall beyond just moving people around. We at Swanage need to (most probably are) look at railways in the middle of nowhere who survive because they work hard to bring the customers to their railway.

 

It only requires one Driver, one guard and one signalman at Corfe Castle to operate the service. I understand that the evening service has been successful so far, so lets hope it can be repeated next year.

 

If this actually sells could be a new revenue for the shop.
"Bargain postage" as well

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15637339...XqZzR1ZwZYe3J4K/Qrp4P+ZQ==|tkp:Bk9SR7D8yfWxZA

 

The railways Facebook page says the T3 will be working during the Classic and Steam Vehicle Show weekend.

https://www.facebook.com/swanagerailway/?locale=en_GB

 

.... and the seller even admits to imperfections in the item. He (?) must be really short of cash.
Don't forget the £2.80 second class P&P.

 

I understand both 3090 (FO) and 4803 (SO) have been purchased by the LSL group at Crewe. 3090 was scheduled to go by road transport on 19th with 4803 following on earlier today. I have no idea when/if they have both departed nor LSL's plans for them.
Should they be required to re-enter main line service I have no doubt that the organisation will strip them right down and rebuild/replace/add parts as necessary to get them registered to comply with current standards.
Outcome awaited with interest.