Project Wareham

Not all the money and, currently, not engines (plural). 31806 is the only steam loco registered to run on the main line - although 31874 is steadily progressing to the same status.
The Swanage Railway does not have the personnel resources/mailing list/finances/etc. to organise it's own regular rail tours but 31806 is available to hire for use by existing rail tour organisers. It is up to those organisers to hire 31806 if they want to but, so far, this has resulted in limited usage. 31806 is also available, when necessary, to haul trains to/from Wareham when the time comes after delayed paperwork/approvals/etc. are received.

It all depends on what the diesel loco owners want to do! The same limitations/requirements/etc. would apply to diesel loco owners of course and, so far, only the 71A Locomotive Group at Swanage have chosen to upgrade and register their D6515 for main line running.
I think the owners of 33 111 have no intention of upgrading it for main line running.
If you have the odd few hundred thousand pounds, to donate to the project, then they might change their minds - but the provision of funding may still not be enough for them to change their current views.

 

There are two steam tours to Weymouth, One on Thursday 21/07/22 and Thursday 18/08/22 with 45596.
31806 is booked to work both trains Weymouth to Southampton subject to cancellation/Fire risk ban/covid etc etc.

 

According to the RTC website there is also a DCE involving 31806 on September 1.

 

Yes you are absolutely correct @Gladiator 5076 That one must have been added on.
I also see that 45596 is coming to Swanage on September 8 but looks like it will have an WCR Diesel on the rear to haul it back to Southampton.

 

Always been there Andy as I have the date marked for an afternoon of train cleaning in Jersey Sidings along with the other two so the stewards can go to lunch (unless they are short of stewards from closer to London and then it will be a longer day.)

 

Gladiator, saw no one replied to your post in the Swanage thread as to why the "Swanage Belle" charter return on Sept 8 will be by a diesel rather than 31806 (also in 2019)?
Could it be due to the sidings at Swanage being in the wrong place to allow the locos to be in the right order?

 

I do not think that is the issue if another steam loco involved then no diesel so the train will be about the same length. Operationally more difficult as something needs to move the stock to release the train loco, which the diesel usually does.
Really it is a question for RTC or the loco owners to answer, as my comments are based of observations or previous tours I have seen or stewarded on.

 

could Eridge Station be a beacon for all interested in Project Wareham?

 

It would be a bloody long walk …

Tom

 

Says the bloke whose home line ran bus services between EG and Kingscote for years!

 

Not from Eridge to Wareham we didn’t!

Tom

 

But don't you wish you had? Great trip on the top deck of an RT* .... should only take about four or five hours each way!

*open platform (and a harness) obviates problems over any lack of 'facilities'.

 

The refurbishment by Spa Valley Railway, Southern and Network Rail has made the news.
https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2022/0...ects-at-eridge-railway-station-in-sussex.html
But like Alton and East Grinstead has separate platforms for the modern EMUs and steam trains, so not like Wareham?
Hopefully Swanage Railway and SWR are still sorting out paperwork and funding for the Wareham service for May?.

 

Having done Whale Island to Portland on a double decker back in my teens, the thought (even without considering facilities) of Eridge to Wareham makes my blood run cold.

 

You need to explain in what way Eridge is a beacon?
It has lifts, something Dorset Council and Wareham residents seem firmly against as they would lose the foot crossing.

 

Two months to go. The final push is underway.

 

REALLY? Do tell !

 

It seems to be still very quiet in Purbeck.
I've heard no whispers of news from HM Government about Licences, etc. If Swanage does not get paperwork granted in time then goodness knows what other TOCs might charge to operate trains in 2022. Wages, fuel, other expenses, etc. have risen dramatically since 2017 levels so, if borne out, would mean Swanage would probably lose a lot more money and, potentially, risk the entire Swanage Railway heritage railway.
I've not been able to find any news from SWR regarding their summer timetables and, therefore, how any Swanage services might fit in. Despite an hourly (through) service to/from Weymouth being re-instated from 21st February, the current SWR passenger levels still appear to be a long way down (compared with 2017) as the previous half-hourly service is no longer mentioned as being an aspiration. Apparently the Department for Transport rules the roost on what can, and cannot, be operated these days.
It doesn't seem like a useful time to judge travel demand when many fewer passengers are using SWR services in the area.
Does anyone have actual comparison figures to back up - or not - my feelings on this aspect.

 

Good morning,ref the SWR summer timetable as of Monday 16th May the full timetable of 2 trains an hour from Weymouth to Waterloo is reinstated.This can be seen in Realtime Trains and is now in the system if you enquire at any station,this was available from last month.In recent weeks sales and passengers travelling has been increasing well.