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Swanage Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Rumpole, Oct 10, 2012.

  1. biggles200

    biggles200 Member

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    People only ask questions when they don't know the answer and they have looked everywhere for information. Now we have the information. It is at the back of the queue. Shame, because with the price of coal escalating, a small engine like the M7 would make more sense for it not to be at the back of the queue. Having said that, the pressures that the engineering team are under are recognised, and should be thanked for all their efforts
     
  2. nickt

    nickt Member

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    Bluenosejohn and biggles200 like this.
  3. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    What is quite interesting from reading this - and its not a criticism, its presumably whats happening everywhere is the need for supporters to provide money for the overhauls. One must wonder as the older generation heads for the great Heritage Railway in the Sky if it will be able to continue in this way
     
  4. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    That point often seems to be made in one form or another, as if the entire movement is supported by those old enough to remember pre-preservation steam, and everything will fold when they die off. But I am not sure it is the case. Clearly, large numbers of volunteers on heritage railways are already of an age that they cannot have even childhood memories of steam on the mainline, so something must be attracting those people and presumably a proportion of them will continue to donate money and leave legacies in the future.

    More generally, other heritage owners continue to be able to fund their activities long after the their initial founders have died and even longer after the items they look after were in use. The National Trust is over 120 years old but still continues to receive money from new generations of supporters. World War II aircraft and vehicles prove perennially popular at shows even though you'd by now be in your late eighties to have childhood memories of them in use, and probably mid nineties to have any possibility of actual operational experience.

    So I don't see an inherent reason why heritage railways should be any different, with new generations of supporters well beyond either the "founders" or those with original pre-preservation memories. That's not to say everything is rosy, but I think it is a mistake to assume the movement only survives because of a gradually dying out group of old people, and when they are gone everything packs up.

    Tom
     
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  5. biggles200

    biggles200 Member

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  6. DcB

    DcB Well-Known Member

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    Good to see the updates
    The main source of info and fundraising on the M7 looks to be the website
    http://www.drummondlocomotives.co.uk/
    which now seems to be taken by someone else. Old urls are still at archive.org
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180811171321/http://www.drummondlocomotives.co.uk/
    Anyone has contact with the Drummond society to let them know the website has been taken over?
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2019
  7. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    I’m a very minor SLL shareholder (and, apropos @Jamessquared’s comments elsewhere, an example of why shares are an expensive way to raise funds compared to membership), and am used to receiving appeals for funds in all communications I receive from SLL. The company’s clear headed focus on, and refusal to beat about the bush about, finding funds to do work is admirable, and an example to many.


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  8. Morris_mad

    Morris_mad New Member

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    This was posted on the Facebook page earlier this week announcing the first visitor to the Steam Gala:

    Never forget that the Southern has Standards!

    The 2019 Autumn Steam Gala returns with Guests and a returning Home Fleet!

    As the Summer draws to a close we start casting our eyes towards the Autumn – and what better way to set the Standard of what you’re doing this October then head to the Swanage Railway Autumn Steam Gala, this year between 11th – 13th October, and see a Standard (or two..!) of your own!

    With permission and thanks of the Bolton Steam Locomotive Company and the Great Central Railway BR Standard Class 5 ‘73156’ will be making her inaugural journey to the South coast to bring a class regularly seen out of Bournemouth Shed back to 71B. Together with our own BR Standard 4 Tank, 80104, the Standard 5 will spend her weekend putting in the miles, and traversing the whole of the Swanage branch – inclusive of the Norden – River Frome extension.

    The visit of ‘73156’ will coincide with the return to service in the coming weeks of ex-LSWR T9 ‘30120’, with the ex-SR Mogul ‘31806’ also waiting in the wings to additionally join in with the action. Although subject to completion, ‘31806’ is a fond favourite of visitors and crews alike, so it will be fantastic to see her take her place alongside the rest of the fleet. The home fleet will be complemented by stalwart Bulleid Battle of Britain Class ‘34072 257 Squadron’ – now regularly found once more operating services on the line.

    Together, our line-up for the Autumn Steam Gala, with a further visitor to be announced and additional home fleet locomotives, will see this once again as one of the finest Gala’s in the South this Autumn.

    Intensive service – Double-Heading – Use of the Norden to River Frome Extension – Freight – Evening Dining – Named Trains – Corfe and Mining Museums open – Trade Stands.

    Further information will soon be released, including Timetable; however keep your eye out for the next VISITOR to the Swanage Railway 2019 Autumn Steam Gala!

    https://www.facebook.com/451807091534527/posts/2310787285636489?sfns=mo


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  9. Morris_mad

    Morris_mad New Member

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  10. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    ''Saturday, 31st August. Yellow timetable with 2 Steam and 1 Diesel locomotives in action.
    Timetable changes due to crew shortage.
    Swanage Railway apologises for any disappointment or inconvenience caused.
    Steam Locomotives Standard 4MT 80104 and Battle of Britain Class Bulleid Pacific 34072 257 Squadron. Diesel Locomotive Class 26 26007.
    All services steam hauled except one round trip''. <BJ>
     
  11. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    80104 came off shed and worked the 12:00 from Swanage, the Class 26 covering the 1000 from Norden and the 10:40 round trip from Swanage.
     
  12. Sunnieboy

    Sunnieboy New Member

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    All one needs to do is check out the SLL website, to see what is needed, regular updates keeping shareholders informed, driving and firing opportunities, regular newsletters etc. Funds to purchase a better milling machine for Herston costing many thousands, was raised in weeks from regular shareholders.

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  13. ady

    ady Well-Known Member

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    Concerning the overhaul of the M7 I happen to be at the the North Norfolk this weekend. Looking over the fence to see if the boiler is around all I could spot was the smokebox which still has her numberplate attached so I'm assuming the boiler is inside the works (although a boiler was nearby it looks too short to be 30053's).

    Near to this unknown boiler was a boiler which seems to be Sidmouth, with lots of chalk writing with what needs to be done...
     
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  14. biggles200

    biggles200 Member

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    On Wednesday 4th September the Signal Regiment will try to pull 80104 the length of Swanage Plat 2 for charity - do not know timing
     
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  15. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    I gather that the timetablers have allowed 6.75 mins.........................
     
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  16. Rumpole

    Rumpole Part of the furniture

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    Will be after the close of service; Swanage signalbox is booked in additionally from 18:00 to 20:00 to cover.
     
  17. biggles200

    biggles200 Member

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    It would be nice to know that there is someone in existance with the responsibilty of the future of the M7 and that there is a an active program of restoration and that it hasn't just been left to rot due to lack of funds and labour.
     
  18. The Black Hat

    The Black Hat Member

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    Having been to various railways over recent years a visit to nearby family gave me chance to head for an area much less frequently visited: The Southern region.

    I have not hidden from the fact that in engines, railways and in operations I have looked for excellence and normally found it more frequently elsewhere. While Southern railways did push the idea of 3rd rail and commuter traffic, other areas such as steam locomotive development I have thought were lacking. Nevertheless, this visit would be a chance to be in different surroundings and enjoy the chance to see things bit that different. Instead of me bemoaning Southern engines like Repton and the S15 up north, this time I was the one off region and my preconceptions were side-lined. Here I was to be amongst, enjoy and immerse myself in all things Southern.

    I arrived at Corfe Castle. The area is very scenic and perhaps the jewel in the crown of the Swanage railway. The Castle forming a gorgeous and almost idyllic backdrop. The station here is very well kept, the staff very helpful and friendly and the goods shed had a nice display on the railway. I spent most of the day in and around the station, while walking to other areas that could post a more landscape picture. Given the service much of this was possible in between trains even if the service on the line was frequent and at well-spaced regular intervals. The morning saw me take a journey to Swanage and see one of the trains arriving there. On the line was Battle of Britain class No. 34027 257 Squadron and BR Standard 4MT No. 80104. The pair put in some good performances even if the heat removed a lot of steam. Firing on the line was done well so that there was good control over exhaust too. While the line is not that steep, nor that difficult it does have some nice views over the countryside. The campsites nearby were all busy and at Corfe throughout the day there was a steady stream of people getting the train while enjoying the well kept and pleasant station, its LSWR building, signal box and canopy all framing the engines matching green stock.

    I had time to check the area around Corfe, the Greyhound having a good pint as well as kindly offering to fill up bottles of water for those needing a drink in the hot summer sun.

    There were several nice vantage points as I framed a lot around Corfe station but having been entertained and enjoyed a day out in different surroundings it was time to head north to the closest thing resembling my understanding of excellence – so I pointed the bonnet of my car back north and the next day headed for – the Western Region!

    https://www.blackhatrailwaypictures.co.uk/f759752003
     
  19. gricerdon

    gricerdon Well-Known Member

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    80104 and 26007 today. We hope to visit on Saturday using the SWR service and hope Swanage is all steam. Anybody know which locos are planned?
     
  20. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    Change of plan Don.

    80104 has been replaced by 34072 on the 10:00 from Swanage.

    26.007 will haul the 10:40 from Norden. <BJ>
     

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