Swanage Railway General Discussion

As shown on RTT
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53293/2020-03-06/detailed

 

One of 2 33s on a railtour London to Devon and back Mar 8th
Then on April 23rd with the LU 4TC London and a 73 to Swanage for the Diesel gala.
https://www.branchline.uk/fixture.hp
Looks like the maroon LU 4TC will stay for the weekend. (But it, neither the DMUs, will not do any Wareham shuttles and there is a special bus)

From "Swanning around" although 2 of Swanage's own 4TC unit blue/grey carriages look complete, seems the 3rd sadly has more rust than thought and needs more funds so will not be back for the gala.

 

Anyone know if the 90 minute or so delay (I suspect in Wallers Ash Loop) was due to a loco problem with the Class 33 or just another lousy day on the Bournemouth Line operationally. I did notice there were some cancellations and at least one turned at Dorchester South today (as usual)

 

Would someone be able to advise which engine is out tomorrow please and which way it faces?

Thanks in advance!

 

80104 was in steam when I went down the town a short while ago, faces Swanage. Had a wreath on the smokebox door, I assume for a member but I am sure someone will know who.

 

Thank you!

 

Wreath is in memory of Ron Bennett (93 yrs young) stalwart of Southern Locomotives painting department in Herston. Sadly passed away recently after more than 20 years volunteering. All current and many past Southern Locomotives engines were touched by his fair hand. See Southern Locomotives Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/413466515364176/posts/3061778850532916/
Sunnie

Sent from my SM-T820 using Tapatalk

 

Looks like the cleaners were really busy on 257 today (compare with yesterday in the background of the image of 80104)

 

Did you post the wrong pictures? Those that I can see are IMG_4806.JPG and IMG_4817.JPG, which both show only 34072, looking much the same in both.

 

Not is was in the background of my in=mage of 80104 posted the previous day post #3705

 

Looks like the Diesel Gala will be postponed to later in the year.

 

Now announced on their Twitter feed
https://twitter.com/SwanRailway

 

And now all services this weekend have been cancelled.

 

https://swanagerailway.co.uk/news/detail/coronavirus-update

Looks as VE day celebrations will be in danger of cancellation though not just yet. Just raise a glass at home!

International Air Tattoo in July has been cancelled. https://www.airtattoo.com/news/2020/mar/20/important-news-about-air-tattoo-2020

and Farnborough has cancelled https://www.farnboroughairshow.com/news-blogs/an-update-regarding-fia2020/

 

The VE celebrations planned for Swanage (the town, not the railway) have already been postponed to 2021.
Assuming that it would have been a busy weekend, the railway will miss extra revenue boost


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

The Railway and Herston Works are closed

 

Currently.
It remains to be seen whether the railway will reopen by 8 May, but even if it is, the VE Day commemorations for that day have already been postponed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I was sent a email from the railway which included this

"Swanage Railway like nearly all heritage railways relies on a mix of fares and other commercial income, donations, legacies and grants to pay its way. Sadly the decision to suspend our commercial operations until the 1st of May at the earliest will place a huge strain our finances. We are therefore stepping up our fundraising efforts and ask our supporters, friends and well wishers to consider making donations to the Swanage Railway Trust to protect the future of the railway we love and cherish."

DONATE HERE

Choose which project on the Railway you would like to help in these very difficult times.

 

We all have our favourite Heritage Railways or Projects . Will however, this great COVID challenge that we face, result in some HR Darwinism. Just as WIBN dreams fade will the sheer financial tsunami
coming up result in the failure and/or consolidation of many current ventures. Supporters of Heritage Railways are generally senior citizens whose assets and disposable income will inevitably shrink(unlike some well informed US Senators) and with that subsequently the amount for giving to our favourite causes Just as we are being urged to stay home we must stay focused on the Heritage Railway or project that is closest to our hearts. In my case it is the SR and the ULS.

 

Latest Swanning Around can be found here DOWNLOAD THE NEWSLETTER HERE