Swanage Railway General Discussion

Hasn't been split and turned to face Norden has it ? heard it had been,

 

Easy to check by webcam.

 

Where it is parked is not visible on the webcam at the moment, but the answer is no, not as of 15:00 today, but it has been moved out of the Kings Road Sidings to over the pit. Poor quality image in the pouring rain attached.
Turning may help for watering at Swanage, and the LE move back to Southall (or where ever) but would you want to split and reconnect and test all that mainline electronics not sure?

 

Easy to check a webcam that looks at the station and not the Stabling points ?

 

Thanks, Had been checking the webcam, but not easy to tell when its not in view of said webcam,
Yeah did think that it maybe easier to water at Swanage etc, hopefully its the same way Monday-Wednesday when I'm down for a couple days behind it.

 

From this page it appears to be working all service trains until Saturday Oct 27 and then the Dorsetman on the 28th
https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events/detail/stanier-lms-black-5-44871-week

On shed this morning

 

Yes - and in good form too. After the miserable weather of last weekend, what a superb day it was today! I spent the afternoon at the railway, photographing the 13.20 and 14.40 ex-Norden (thanks to the crew for a superb exhaust) and then had a ride from Corfe down to Swanage and back. Thoroughly enjoyed myself. Having not been able to head up north for any of the 50th anniversary of the end of steam celebrations, it was rather good to enjoy one of the stars of 1968 in action, albeit a long way from where the last rites took place all those years ago. Talking to the staff, I gather that quite a few other people turned up especially to see 44871. I couldn't help thinking of how things have changed:- until the final few years of steam, enthusiasts would often say "oh, it's only another Black Five." Listening to 44871's loud bark this afternoon was another reminder (if reminder we need) of what just good engines they were.

 

Thank you for your valuable input.

 

Sorry I assumed it had been on service trains during day.

 

A few images from the first two days of "Black 5 week". The Merseyside Express headboard was a nice addition today.
Many thanks to all the crews concerned.

 

Could someone

brilliant pictures.

 

Good to see 44871 in service yesterday hauling five green Mk.1s and running in glorious weather.

The bonus of the day was the T9 hauling five blood and custard coaches on the Dorsetman dining train. Very smart.

I spent a day at the MHR gala on Friday but enjoyed my day at Swanage even more so. Well done to the Swanage Railway. <BJ>

 

A word of warning for anyone planning to go down to Swanage by car to see 44871 this week. There are road works on the A351 between the Stoborough and Norden roundabouts with one lane closed and temporary traffic lights. The queues last Saturday were pretty awful but fortunately I was in good time. May I suggest that anyone coming from the Wareham direction factors in a few extra minutes to allow for this.

 

Not forgetting the 3 way lights at the Langton Matravers junction as well.
A poor attempt at a sunset silhouette shot last evening at Woodyhyde, that could have been so much better less than an hour later. Best sunset I have seen since I have lived here, the railway being beyond the far line of trees.

 

In addition to above roadworks -
The Sandbanks - Studland chain ferry will cease service on Sunday night in readiness for it's bi-ennial refit over the next 4 to 6 (ish) weeks http://www.sandbanksferry.co.uk/news.php

 

Seems like the only sensible way in is by train. Oh, hang on. They are on strike...

 

I spent the day riding behind the Black 5 yesterday. I was impressed during the gala, but yesterday certainly confirmed what a fine (and wonderfully loud) loco it is. A real credit to Ian Riley and his team.
Since I have lived here I have timed 45 down runs using start from Corfe to Afflington Bridge as my timing section. In that time only six of those runs have been achieved in under 3 minutes and three of those were on the same day (the final afternoon of the Bulleid Gala). Yesterday all 6 runs were achieved in under 3 minutes (this was by one crew for the three morning runs and one for the three afternoon runs). Two of those runs, one by each crew were the identical time of 2 minutes 45 secs, which equals my best ever achieved by Ian's beloved 92 Squadron during the Bullied Gala. I have no reason to believe that at any time was the 25mph line speed exceeded, in fact on one run it felt quite disappointing whilst I was window hanging, yet it was the third fastest of the six.
It just seems to show what great acceleration the Black 5 possesses, a fact borne out that despite the 10mph TSR at New Barn Farm the best Swanage to Harmans Cross time (not stopping at Herston, which 92 Squadron also holds) was only 37 seconds longer yesterday. Considering the braking, 10mph crawl and then acceleration away this was very impressive.
Many thanks to both crews for a thoroughly enjoyable day, and if you are at a loss tomorrow it is still due to be on service trains as far as I know (best to check with the railway or their social media pages). Grab it while you can, if you are prepared to suffer the roadworks (which also includes the A338 into Bournemouth if you plan to use the Sandbanks Ferry) or the SWR strike service.

 

Likewise, I took the last round trip of the day. Real acceleration away from stations and the TSR. Still finding specks of coal and grit in my hair!

Sent from my SM-A300FU using Tapatalk

 

44871 has just departed Swanage with the 16:40 service train. The loco which is still facing south was adorned with a 'Tom and Samantha's Wedding Belle' headboard.

I've just read that Swanage was the warmest place in the country yesterday at 13 degrees. <BJ>

 

And a hell of a lot warmer than on the common this morning, or at School Crossing at 16:00. (Even my wife abandoned her sea front stall at 1300 due to the strong wind and cold).