Swanage Railway General Discussion

The Swanage Railway has just spent a not inconsiderable amount of money on overhauling 4 cars worth of DMMU with a view to operation to Wareham. I suspect if it gave those up now and decided to use Pacers, they would have some very ‘interesting’ questions to answer from those public bodies that have assisted with those overhauls!

 

Very True. The inescapable fact is that the majority of HR cannot subsist from the fare box. The SR magazine,in practically every issue that I have read, is constantly bemoaning the fact of lack of capital to pursue major objectives. Appeals are all very well but lets remember that both on and off the line demographics point to a constantly dwindling resource in that regard ,A travel writer once described how the UK has a particular love of its "Railways in Aspic" If HR are to survive how about opening up transferable Life Memberships" within family groups. could be a good way to raise capital and encourage continuing interest. As to Pacers they are a lot younger than the SR DMUS.Spares would not be a problem(Are they going to be with our DMUS?) and were probably retired for political reasons

 

Forgetting for the moment that as Rumpole has said Pacers are not coming, as has been said before what would be the business proposition of any service (let alone a Pacer) to Bournemouth? Wareham is the interchange to the National Network, Swanage residents (in vast numbers) have bus passes so the 50 would beat an expensive rail ticket, and Bournemouth Station area is not much use unless you want Asda or lots of bars and restaurants that seemed to be aimed at the student population.

 

Coronavirus changes everything,including,believe it or not,HR. If you do not want things to work then of course they will not.Writing ss an original SR member do you honestly think that the pioneers were concerned about what particular type of vehicle on rails connected Swanage to Wareham?? Have objectives and aspirations changed over nearly fifty years. One would hope so. HR are going to have to adjust their models post COVID. The ones that survive that is!!

 

But you were talking about a service to Bournemouth not Wareham

 

I just think they need to fix the loop so that can run a steam to Wareham and run round as people will just see a pacers and keep going to Weymouth where as if it’s steam they will stop and get off

 

Railways in Aspic? That’s an LP of chuffing introduced by Bob Symes....

 

With regards to the Pacers, I've now been advised that they have been purchased and will be retained in Eastleigh for sublease and not be heading to Swanage (Phew!). There are also 3 more heading there on Monday.

 

Interesting, but sub lease to who I wonder? I thought they were being banished from the national network. Only of use to heritage lines or overseas perhaps.

 

Oh, I’d so love to go out and photograph them going through Salisbury, if only it wasn’t for this lockdown

Tom

 

Is the grocery store anywhere near the station .....hint !

 

what is the economic argument for continuing third rail electrification west of Poole. /

 

That was done in 1988......

 

Not having to maintain multiple fleets for the benefit of a 30 mile stub of line. Benefits that are much more significant than easing matters for the SR at Wareham.

Besides which, two points to note about Pacers in this context. First, Pacers aren’t barred from 3rd rail lines, and have worked over them at places like Southport and Bidston. Second, the Pacers at Eastleigh aren’t destined for Swanage in any case.


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It's in the opposite direction ... And also I'm washing my hair that day. It's really tragic, but life just seems to be conspiring against my ability to take a photograph of a pacer ...

Tom

 

I think I’ve worked out what you said.

I think you are suggesting ripping up the juice rail west of Poole, just so that Swanage Railway can use Pacers between Swanage and Wareham!

This is definitely silly season.

 

Tsk Tsk and you sound so upset.

 

SWR now seem to be using modern Desiro EMUs on the Weymouth main line, the 32 year old refurbished 442s seem to be just used on the Portsmouth line (so far)?
https://www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey/our-network
the latest SWR map includes Corfe and Swanage, presumably done when before the lockdown?

When the lockdown is over, although many pensioners will still use bus passes between Bournemouth and Swanage, there should be enough daytrip and rambler passengers for the railcars from other parts on the SWR network, if well promoted?
Hopefully the 2 refurbished railcars will be reliable and 31806 or 31874 might do occasional Wareham runs. without the need for rented Pacers.