Swanage Railway General Discussion

If it helps this is how it was before work started. Of course it may have been relaid before since the time you were referring to.

 

If this section has never been relaid since reinstatement the concrete sleepers came from the remaining stub of the Northampton Bedford line that served the Piddington MOD depot till it closed. Original rail probably came from LT.

 

Cow Pat has been the official name for the first of the two crossings since the relaying of the line. I’m told that in BR days it had a less coliqual name but it is mostly unknown to current crews. A lot of the sleepers around here have the bolt holes in the middle for the 4th centre rail so I would suggest these are ex LT.

In other news the first engineering train for the new carriage shed ran this week so it looks like that’s definitely going ahead as well.

 

Will this Help or hinder the future operation of Wareham Trains? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/localnews/2636445-Swanage/0#pinnedpost_5e2abc0a7aba58066888ce3f

 

Sure is: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dinos-Take-Away/101719273226206

 

Depends on the outcome but, as I understand the position, if the current (flat) foot crossing is closed eventually then the subsidiary signals can be used [at last] for shunting Project Wareham trains into the sidings.
This would allow scheduling of Swanage trains into Wareham allowing passengers to join SWT services. The DMU(s) would then come out again to pick up SWT passengers wanting Corfe and Swanage.
Currently, SR trains have only a limited time platformed at Wareham, betwen SWT services, before returning to SR metals.

 

It would also make the operation of steam to Wareham much easier. It would be possible for the steam loco to run around its train in the sidings, rather than having to be topped and tailed.

 

Thanks Peter, will have to visit next time I am in Swanage, (other Pizza outlets are available elsewhere in Dorset !) .

 

The immediate solution to the Wareham foot crossing is to sort staff shortage. Long term with new ramps is more problematic as the first proposal had too steep ramps, the 2nd proposal "failed to preserve the character of the Grade II listed structure".
Hopefully a 3rd proposal will be acceptable to all?

 

Quick update from the weeks activity on the Dickers and Herston works.

 

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If they can't sort out ramps for the Wareham crossing maybe lifts is the answer and works at other SWR stations, but might be more expensive for occasional usage?

 

The Oily Roak too Bish.......
1/4lb cheese and chip n dip from Dinos too

 

Gate attendants are fully staffed now

 

Going by that comment im sure we must have both been on the PW at the same time and dined there a few decades ago !

 

Oh yes....... plenty of "dining" experiences and apple juice

 

I hesitate to think how much NR would charge to add in a set of points to create run-round facilities.

 

They'd probably price the work just high enough to dissuade you from having the work done.

 

An awful lot cheaper than the other option of reinstating the bay platform, run round loop and necessary re signalling though!