Swanage Railway General Discussion

Mogul has made some very interesting remarks on Swanage' budding "heritage fleet",and for the grounded bodies for instance holiday cottages, station shelters.......... One thing I'd say though is never say never with regards to the grounded bodies, just look at Tanfields' fleet of former grounded bodies......... granted some of their current "reserve fleet" of bodies may well disintegrate before they get the chance of restoration. The biggest problem though I can possibly see is the lack of suitable PMV type vehicles [if 4-6 wheelers] to donate their underframes/running gear. which could lead to the new manufacture of underframes and running gear etc.

 

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway has already shown one vehicle on an entirely new under frame, designed and built in house. In its own small way, that's a "Tornado" sort of achievement for carriage underframes: it's not that designing and building (and certifying) new ones was ever impossible, but rather the psychological impact of showing that it has been done and therefore can be done again.

The more sobering point in @Mogul's original post: "I sincerely hope that we are not entering an era where we have to give up on the unrestored collection because of a lack of capital and focus on what we already have in order to survive." That's a very real issue - more carriages restored and running means more maintenance to keep on top of, and sooner or later you end up with some limit where you are at capacity just keeping the available carriages running. I know that has been a point of discussion on the Bluebell, and whether long-term we can sustain more than about thirty operational carriages given available resources.

Tom

 

Can anyone give any information, however vague, about what is happening about the Wareham service in 2019?

The SR website says that dates are to be announced "early in 2019", well we are only a month from Easter now. It would also be good to know if the SWR service to Corfe Castle is planned to operate again this year?

Thanks.

 

Im guessing the one corridor connection on each coach actually join them together, so to make the pair more useful if they got done adding a connection to the trailer coach make them more useful.
Could there be cross railway help in production of interior parts and fittings for example, mid hants working on a bullied set and having a maunsell brake in store and swanage doing the same would that approach help cut some of the cost

 

Indeed yes, Tom. The Isle of Wight have shown the way. I was rather highlighting the fact, that the day is coming that new underframes etc. will have to be made from scratch. OK some items may be available "off the self", wheels, axleboxes and the like, but frames will have to be assembled/made from scratch with new material mainly from steel.

 

Scratch built underframes for Victorian coaches are certainly going to be a big ask.

They dont exactly grow on trees do they?

Err, hang on.....

 

Does anyone know why 31806 will be going in to Herston Works.

 

The latest mag says the DMUs are expected in May but on past performance I think 'Summer' is probably a good guide. After return to SR metals there is running in, testing and training before we can use them for a wareham service. The mag also refers to 'Regulatory approvals' and the operators licence being required before we can operate on the mainline. Regards the start date of services the mag says we remain committed to delivering services in 2019 but no date is yet set. I've not seen any announcements about 2019 SWR services.

31806 was scheduled to go in to the works for some intermediate work on the bottom end. In particular it is to come off its wheels for attention to axelbox crowns. The work was bought forward by a few of weeks because it was felt that attention was needed sooner rather than later and there was the opportunity to use the low loader move that delivered 419.

 

So even though so was only going to run on one day anyway she's going miss the gala as well?

 

Does the SR plan to disable its webcams for the Flying Scotsman Events. I am sure that many SR supporters unable to be there will welcome the chance to view some of the action from afar,as,thankfully,we do now

 

Perhaps they could go 'pay per view'.

I'll get my coat. . .

 

Surely it's better to pull her from one day's running rather than run the risk of damage to the bearing/wheelset journals?

Keith

 

She arrived yesterday and was being examined by the shed staff of 71B, await reports from there...

 

does anyone have any idea where 44422 might be headed after upcoming parting of the ways with the WSR. It is an ex- S & D engine. there arevarying views on its effeciency BUT wouldn't it look good at Swanage!!

 

I believe W&U no 7 at the NNR had a completely new under frame built for it as well.

 

44422 would look even more at home at Midsomer Norton, but not able to stretch her legs there.

 

You mean its unlikely to run out of steam, there.

 

I can't argue with the logic but after already being frustrated by the lack of 34072 if it weren't for 419 presence i probably wouldn't be going.

 

80104 is hauling service trains today.

T9 30120 will haul the 13:00 'Dorsetman' luncheon train.

80104 faces Swanage, the T9 faces Wareham. <BJ>

 

My prediction is North Norfolk - ideal for the line and they have been quite acquisitive in recent times.