The Purbeck Pioneer...

Notice this has appeared on Past-Time's latest news (along with a few other places...) :smt002

'UK Railtours 'The Purbeck Pioneer' - Wednesday 1st April 2009

The first public railtour to Swanage since closure of the branch by BR in 1972.

DB Schenker Class 66 throughout with Mark 1 Coaches.

First Dining £159/Standard Class £57.50

London Victoria 08.55 provisional - Leatherhead-Effingham-Pompey Direct-Swanage(2hrs)-Southampton-Romsey-
Laverstock-Basingstoke-Waterloo 20.30 provisional.'

UK Railtours, bookings through Past-Time.

 

Shame it couldn't have been with steam - but a momentous occasion non the less.

 

Want to make sure it is possible first - iron out any teething problems with a diesel then, once we've got everything in place a steamer will surely follow.. :-$

 

Presumably DBS can't guarentee the availibility of 37's if they have gone with a mind numbingly boring 66, granted a diesel was probably best choice for this first but wasn't anything more "rateable" availible ?.

Anyone know what the planned load will be, i know Swanage platform/loop isn't that long so is a short formation or a bit of ECS propelling planned ?.

 

UK Railtours have gone for the simplest possible set-up for the first through passenger train to Swanage in 37 years. Which means:-

Mid week
When Swanage Railway isn't running normal trains
Modern traction

There are plenty of other things that could affect this train. So I'm afraid everyone who thinks the first one should be 37s, becuase they like them. Or steam becuase it should be, will just have to put up with this monumentous occasion being boring.

Sorry
Sometimes it makes one wonder why we bother.

Yes, the platform at Swanage is shorter than 12 coaches, but these pesky charter trains often arrive at short termini platforms. And the great thing about Charter trains, is that they have full stewarding. Reducing the risk of a numbskull opening the door where the platform isn't.

NEXT?

 

TWR i think you've missed the point i was making which in effect is - despite it being the first train to Swanage, is a 66 hauling it going to interest enough people to book on it ?, it's all very well lashing out at people questioning it, but you'd look a bit silly if it got caped due to "lack of bookings", i suggest 37's or something more ratable because that's likely to add some of the basher types to your "day out" customers which could be the difference between being viable enough to run and not.

Tours are a different kettle of fish to the preserved line runinng Swanage is used to, if the product isn't right people won't book and youhave no train, NEXT!.

 

UKRailtours always used modern traction (67s etc) and always book well. They are aimed more at daytrippers than enthusiasts. Plus UKRailtours made a promise that they will not cancel due to low bookings.

 

Whatever is on the front am sure it will be well booked.

Just think of the required 66 for haulage and the required track.
Furzebrook - Norden is a required bit of track for nearly everyone......

As a first passenger working its a very good idea to keep it simple.

You never know if it works the next tour will be a steam one..........

 

Sounds good but the date is worrying me.................

 

A major milestone for Swanage Railway. Frankly, motive power is a side issue. It's the through running to Swanage that is the attraction.

But mid-week may reduce the 'pool' of potential customers. And the date worries me a bit. But let's hope this gets plenty of publicity and a successful start to through running. Wish I could make it; not yet retired. Good luck.

Joh

 

I've taken annual leave to go on mid-week railtours before now...

 

Me too, but can't on this occasion, because I have an engagement that very day that I can't get out of! Perhaps they could run this train on the following day for me ... I could then guarantee two seats on it!

It really will be a milestone anyway, and those on the Swanage Railway who have worked so hard on the line should feel very proud when the through train comes down. Let's hope it's the first of many.

John

 

And if it was steam, surely the need to run back to Eastleigh to turn any decent size loco would make it interesting.....(Wasn't Tangmere modified to have a quick release tender last time this was mooted?

 

I think you will find a through steam tour to Swanage "MAY!" not be far behind this train.

 

Believe 34067 was modified soe originally, suppose in the medium term they could do something about the turning problem with the land at Furzebrook ?.

 

:-k :-k :-#

 

May is when the first steam tour is due into Swanage, well according to Pete Watts. PTR are supposed to be the tour operator. Pathfinder due to visit in September.

 

Yes there was talk of doing this, so Tangmere could be turned on the Swanage turntable. I don't think the modification was ever done though.

 

How about using Western Champion on the first run?
I know its easy for us enthusiasts to come up with our favourite locos and I know the tour promotors and Swanage Railway just want the train to run smoothly but D1015 would be nice........

 

I was under the impression that the modifications had been done but I could be wrong. Other alternatives (despite the fact that we are pretty adept at splitting locos & tenders, particularly Bulleids!) are pathways to Eastleigh or Yeovil Jct (via Weymouth for run-round of inevitable support coach) or locos that actually fit our 50' ft turntable, 76079 does but of course we then have to consider the load for Parkstone Bank (short haul / short formation runs Swanage - Salisbury and return?). But also until resignalling of Worgret Jct happens we are going to be restricted on the number of movements allowed with the current ground frame arrangement so they won't be that regular in the short term.