Swanage Railway General Discussion

Sorry I was just trying to help. And for the record, I didn't say that the rules would be less stringent.

Keith

 

Last week (and yesterday) were one of the few times you can get to ride on a service train in the dark (ie not a dining service or at a gala).
Could have been better with some leaking steam heat, but a couple from the last service yesterday, and SKP on the Dorsetman.

 

Following on from the "Vertically Challenged Fireman" comment it (for no reason really other than it chucking it down all day Saturday) it made me look back through my images of Dorsetman and Santa Specials.
Dorsetman of course have two styles of headboards the "Standard BR" shape and the ACE shape. Disregarding the normal top lamp bracket on either the smokebox or tender here are some alternatives. I will say that personally the ACE style headboard looks wrong on a tank loco, especially the Standard 4.
I personally like those headboards in lamp positions 3 and 6. However not sure about on the back of the train when it was T &T by the two 08's during the loco shortage.

 

No offence intended. Just making the point that ‘non mainline safety case’ is just a technical term, and doesn’t actually mean you can’t run on the mainline, or mean any real change in the rules and regulations required. Confusing I know!

 

The sensible fireman uses both headboards, putting one on the front of the loco and one on the back thus avoiding having to move it from end to end every time you run around. Lazy? - probably. But then you can make the effort to get it on the right lamp bracket once and avoid the daft looking lopsided look.

 

And have a headboard facing the carriage vestibule end? That’s almost as bad as leaving discs both ends!

 

They seem to do that just across the Solent from you

Surely the answer is just diagram enough time at run rounds to do it right?

Tom

 

I usually do the lamps and headboard whilst the fireman is uncoupling if we don't have the luxury of a cleaner so surely time shouldn't come into it. Having sufficient time to get the tea is a different matter, though.

 

34053 hauled the green mk.1 stock from Swanage to Corfe Castle this morning. Could this be for a charter train? TIA <BJ>

 

Southern locomotives annual shareholder driver and fireman trips.

Yesterday, today and tomorrow, well worth becoming a shareholder to do.....

Andrew

 

And at Swanage its even easier; untie and drop off the train, and while the Signalman is setting the road to the Loop you’ve got both time to do it and the platform to do it from. And you’re outside the staff room for tea as well!

 

How long does it take to set the road to the loop? Swanage box must be quite complicated if it takes more than a minute.

 

We roster a dedicated AR crew for that task

Tom

 

It doesn’t take that long, it just provides a convenient moment to do it. It also means that while the Fireman’s uncoupling there’s the chance of members of the public getting a look on the footplate, which is an underestimated part of what we do.

 

The clever ones radio ahead to have it delivered to the footplate.

 

And the old timers have a billy can on the warming plate so it’s always there

 

I hear 31625 was on the road interchange siding at Norden today. Off to Herston?

Also I believe the construction of Herston carriage shed has been put out to tender. Good to hear this project is finally progressing.

 

Actually it appears 31625 is there for a boiler lift. I would presume so that the boiler can be overhauled ready to get 31806 back in traffic ASAP once it’s boiler ticket expires.

 

Three days, 24 round trips and 48 happy campers! Many thanks to all the Swanage Railway staff who did such a good job for us. Lots of new faces this year as we give new shareholders priority.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/eKgxiPrMBw2YS3Qr7

Nick

 

34072 hauling service trains today facing Norden. Diesel service tomorrow …..errrr , with presumably 34072 on the diner. <BJ>