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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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    It would seem that every Class 701 is being tested between Wareham and Weymouth in the early hours. To do this the diesel pulled train enters the Swanage branch line where there is no 3rd rail and it is safe to lower the pick up shoes to their operating position. This requires communication between Corfe and Basingstoke signal boxes and a Swanage Branch qualified driver to be in attendance who is responsible for collecting the token from Wareham Station. All this is done several times a week. I would hope that Swanage Railway is receiving compensation for these activities.
     
  2. torgormaig

    torgormaig Part of the furniture Friend

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    Compensation? I doubt that that comes into the equasion. Swanage Railway will have agreed a level of payment for the service that they are providing. Heritage Railways provide all sorts of facilities to the wider railway industry and get paid accordingly. At a time like this it will be a very welcome income stream for very little outlay.

    Peter
     
  3. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    That all makes sense except -- why not lower the shoes before the train leaves the depot and test it from there, rather than diesel haul it all the way to the SR first?
     
  4. Shaggy

    Shaggy Part of the furniture

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    Because they are being tested on one particular stretch of line closed for that purpose. Part of the tests will be the power drawn. If it draws too much power with other service trains in the area, there could be a short. There is also a risk of an interference with the signalling hence diesel haul the unit to the testing area.
     
  5. DH34105

    DH34105 Member

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    My understanding from various sources is that the first unit to run on South Western was earmarked for testing on the section of track between Wareham and Dorchester /Weymouth that is set up for those purposes. It was brought from Eastleigh Works at the beginning of the week or period of testing by the pair of 66s and barrier wagons and not under its own power. It was then taken onto Swanage branch to have the electrical system set up and dragged back to Wareham for testing to begin. The first week this was problematic and was taken to Weymouth by the 66s. It was tested either in the compound at Weymouth and/or on the main line. It was taken back to Eastleigh at end of first period of testing by the 66s. I understand that the same process was followed for the second session with more success and the unit worked on test opposite a class 444 on the test section to sort out any issues.

    Whether more units will follow to Wareham I dont know but the barriers are going to be in regular use collecting new Class 701s from derby and the second unit was dragged from Derby to Wimbledon Depot today. There have been reports that the first tested unit has worked from Eastleigh to Basingstoke at least since it was used in Dorset on test.

    Watching with interest to see what happens next!

    DH
     
  6. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    There had to be a reason so thanks for explaining it.
     
  7. Mogul

    Mogul Member

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    SR Staff, paid & volunteer, are required to facilitate these movements and this is a chargeable service that the SR is happy to provide for the right amount. Although I doubt its a game changing sum of money I'm sure its a worthwhile sum, more than covers costs and also helps with the relationship between SR and our main line partners. It also gives volunteers some well needed turns to keep their competencies current.
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2020
  8. biggles200

    biggles200 Member

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    Mining Museum will not be opening this year. Not enough volunteers to ensure compliance with Covid rules.
     
  9. biggles200

    biggles200 Member

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  10. DcB

    DcB Well-Known Member

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    Sad to hear a lack of volenteers, but understandable if there are still concerns.
    Diesels require less staff and it may not be long till steam trains run.
     
  11. Alan Kebby

    Alan Kebby Well-Known Member

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    The T9 got a washout and exam today. So maybe thoughts are turning to using steam at some point.
     
    nine elms fan likes this.
  12. nine elms fan

    nine elms fan Part of the furniture

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    I notice on Railcam this morning that coaching stock has been moved in position at Swanage and the T9 has been moved, all looking promising.
     
  13. biggles200

    biggles200 Member

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    U-Boat as well
     
  14. andykeithharris

    andykeithharris New Member

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    Class 33 plus consist just pulled out of Swanage. A possible test run/crew requalifying?
     
  15. LC2

    LC2 Member

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  16. LC2

    LC2 Member

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  17. LC2

    LC2 Member

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  18. LC2

    LC2 Member

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  19. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    The 33 sounded really good going out on the runs this morning. Although to those who say they would not get out of bed for a diesel, I did not! Although I did see what I think was the third trip coming back into Swanage around midday.
     
  20. Mogul

    Mogul Member

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    Today was the start of a week of crew re familiarisation, requalification and ironing the kinks out of a railway that hasn't been used in anger since Feb half term. All in preparation for the commencement of public services on the 11th. Lots of rusty things like rails, skills, signal leavers, loco sare starting to get a polish up.

    Really hope the public are going to want to come to ride on the class 33 services on offer. The railway desperately needs it.
     

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