Swanage Autumn Steam Gala - 12-14 October 2018

All those who have been concerned as to the status of its repair may be pleased to hear that 30120 is today’s service locomotive!

 

And finally to confirm that 6233 is now safely on site; everything’s ready for the morning. I hope to see some of you around over the weekend.

 

Thanks for all the info. Where will you be lurking on Saturday?

 

Harmans Cross early turn Signalman on Saturday; finish 14:00. And if I remember rightly, the late turn is also a forum member as well!

 

Looking forward to visiting Sunday.

 

Ok. We plan a break there in the morning so will say hello

 

Super power today on the 12:53 from Corfe Castle to Wareham.

31806 + 34053 double headed with the Duchess at the rear !! <BJ>

 

Excellent day today, weather not as bad as feared. 6233 is the obvious star, but I also enjoyed riding behind the T9 coming back up from the River Frome with 5 carriages plus 80072 (which wasn't assisting) on the back. With all the engine swapping, Corfe Castle station is a great place to watch the goings-on, although the timings are "challenging" (over 30 minutes down when I left mid-afternoon). Thank you to everyone involved in organising and running the event.

 

Looking at the WT that is the priority of my visit tomorrow. The Red engine also features high on my list

 

We have now decided to drive so if the timetable slips it doesn't matter so much.

 

I think you will find 80072 is at Llangollen. 80078 is what you had.
Just as well you left when it was only 30 minutes late!
1532 River Frome-Swanage arrived 77 minutes late.
1615 Swanage-Corfe Castle and 1639 return. 1639 Swanage-River Frome and return to Corfe. 1715 Swanage-Corfe Castle ALL CAPED.

 

As one of those involved with the preparation for this event, I am sorry for the late running this afternoon. A combination of some early slippage of the timetable, followed by this afternoon’s minor issue with 34072, resulted in other locos being out of place, and additional demand on the limited watering facilities in Swanage (particularly given that some locos spent a long time away from Swanage), which added to the late running. I’m afraid I can’t give much more information though, as my turn today finished at Corfe around 14:00 and haven’t been back down the railway since!

Anyhow, I am reliably informed that 34072 is now fit, so here goes with attempt number 2 tomorrow. All 8 locos are now available, with 3 pacifics, a black 5, Maunsell mogul, a 119-year-old T9 and 2 BR standard 4 tanks; not a bad line up for the branch! I look forward to seeing you there.

 

It was a great day, notwithstanding the weather and the late running. Ambitious timetable and a fantastic lineup of locomotives. A worthy follow up to the End of Southern Steam gala. Thank you to all involved.

 

Good news. I was worried yesterday when the timetable started to fall apart.

I'll be back to Swanage tomorrow for the final day of the gala. <BJ>

 

To echo earlier comments; yes, an excellent day yesterday which was spent both traveling and photting at a couple of locations. The Duchess is really such an impressive loco and was making a good sound as it passed me at Corfe! I'll post some more on Flickr once I have downloaded them!
Thanks to everyone involved at the railway. The trains seemed reasonably busy but not packed possibly due to poor weather forecast and hopefully you'll get a good turnout passenger wise for today and tomorrow.
Andy

 

I said to my wife I would be back into Swanage for dinner at 18:30, and I got in at 18:35 shame it was on a train due in due in at 17:14, but that is part of the gala fun.
Great day riding the trains and enjoyed watching the Duchess slip up to Creech from the first droplight behind the loco. Mind you the U hauling 5 and the Duchess was arguably even better.
Well done to all involved.

 

Really enjoyed today’s visit to Swanage. The Duchess is a fantastic loco!
Sadly the very first train from Swanage to the end of the line was late from the outset. I don’t know the cause, but to an ignorant observer everything seemed to be done at a remarkably leisurely pace: the shunting of stock, attachment of locos etc. No sense of urgency. By the time I left the railway in mid afternoon the timetable was about 50 mins off.
My only complaint about all this was zero information to passengers. Some chalked messages, station announcements or on board announcements would have been appreciated.
Nonetheless a great day out and excellent value.

 

Absolutely agree on the announcements, or lack of.
Spent an hour in Corfe box with the WTT arranger and chatted about the programme.
Corfe was THE place to be, soooo many movements, i would challenge any heritage line to come up with that amount of necessary movements.
However, it is run by volunteers, the trains are very busy, so possibly a little more time needs to be allowed into the programme.
Next year with possible Wareham mainline connections, things have to be tighter.
That said, brilliant day.
Thanks SR people.

 

Yes agree with post about lack of info but did it really matter? A brilliant day with all nine locos working and Corfe Castle so busy it could have been somewhere on the Southern in the days of steam. Great atmosphere and good to meet #Rumpole . Yes I really did my Sigs and Rules and I could have worked a box but for my colour sight. And yes the afternoon crew in 34072 there's not much I don't know about a Bulleid in original condition. Taught by the real stars of steam one of whom is still driving steam on the main line. Magic day today so thanks to all concerned

 

Just have to add, the afternoon ascent from Frome river bridge with the squadron was the trip of the day. Great stuff!