Swanage Railway General Discussion

Maybe No Santa specials but https://swanagerailway.co.uk/events/detail/steam-lights


Maybe while the train waits at Norden for engine to run round, the narrow gauge railway at mining museum could be dressed up to look like Santa and the reindeer and move along the track above the station.

 

Midweek service are now diesel hauled, 33111 on the 15:40 from Norden at Townsend Bridge, plus the result of some lineside work at Afflington Bridge area.

 

Looks like this is going to be an overwhelming success. Took my daughter a few days and constant logging on to finally book seats on additional services after Christmas such is the demand.
I see elsewhere that the railway has bagged over £200k from the governments heritage fund.
Hopefully the railway is safe for the time being........

 

In a non Covid world this would have been Autumn Gala weekend. It seemed not right to let the weekend pass without at least making the effort to photograph one train.
34072 257 Squadron is seen from the hill above Dickers Crossing first passing Cowpat Crossing and the at Dickers with the 15:00 from Swanage on October 11th.

 

Nice photos, in their natural environment. At least you are making the best of a bad job.

 

I really only went out yesterday because of the cloud (after a rain shower passed). But one also from today, is head code BE genuine as I can seem to find no reference to it? Plus the fully cleared embankment at Afflington, just need a no sun diesel day for a new angle (as of course the steam is T/F at that location)

 

BE are the initials and "pet" headcode of a class 33 enthusiast and one-time 71A group participant called Barry Evans who sadly passed away at the weekend.

 

Thank you, very sorry to hear that.

 

A nice tribute.

 

Issued By Swanage Railway today 15/10/20


£300,000

This morning our SOS Appeal passed the £300,000 mark for which I wish to thank all our donors for this splendid effort.

This appeal is the cornerstone of the survival of the Swanage Railway, while the recent grant we received is a boost which does not cover the day to day running costs of the railway. The grant allows us to improve our booking and information systems and ensures that the stations and coaches are Covid safe. The SOS Appeal will help ensure that the railway can survive through the winter and be ready to provide whatever service will be allowed next year.

To do this we need to reach our target of £360,000



16th - 20th October Match Funding
A generous anonymous donor has offered to match fund all donations between Friday 16th - Tuesday 20th October to a maximum of £5,000. That means that we have the opportunity to increase the Appeal by £10,000 and get us on the way to the £360,000 target. This offer will be backed up through our social media platforms and a press release. Please spread the word to family and friends and help the appeal grow. - thank you.

 

Whilst many I suspect were "up the road" at the MHR, as I might have been in normal times, I managed a couple of images from locations (as usual) where I managed to be the only person.
257 Squadron in service today. A couple from the steps at Wilderness Foot Crossing as the loco pulled away from the New Barn TSR and a slip, I guess somewhere around Nursery Bridge, on the 10:30 service and at Herston on the 15:00 passing the Unigate Milk Tank. Nice to see some different headcode discs in use. Shame about that grey box which I think is part of the warning lights for the Quarr Farm Crossing is not on the other side of Wilderness Foot Crossing.

 

Apparently far more than a tribute.

I gather it's more like a tradition. From what I've read, for many years, whenever he climbed into the cab of a 33 the headcode immediately changed to BE.

 

Issued Today

Thank YOU!

The result of our match funding promotion is that, after the 5 days of the promotion, we have received from staff, volunteers and the public a total amount of £8,369.69. Our anonymous donor had agreed to match fund to a maximum of £5,000 but, on hearing of this brilliant generosity, the donor agreed to match fund the total donations received.

The result is that the 5 days, when gift aid was included, increased the appeal total by £18,831.80 to a total of £320,410.92.

With a target of £360,000, this leaves less than £40,000 to go!

Randy Coldham

 

Congratulations and as you Randy say a BIG THANK YOU! To the benefactor.......

 

Looks like another success that will stay around for years to come

https://www.visionmailer.com/t/View...EF23F30FEDED/CEB238153B6E6CD52C69F821C9DCC086

 

Any idea what loco(s) are out this coming weekend (24/25th Oct) and the coming half term week? TIA

 

Hi there,

It’s 34072 257 Squadron out this weekend and for half term week.

Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Being one of my top favorite railways, it's pleasing to see the Swanage Railway managing as well as it has during this difficult time, especially with the dire news I've heard of late elsewhere in the heritage railway world. Real hard times for sure.

Only one slight concern I've had of late with Swanage is their (along with a select few on this forum) less then enthused relations with the Southern Locomotive LTD. Not that I'm saying they've been mean spirited or anything like that you understand, just seems like it's become a somewhat cold and distant relationship in the recent couple years from my perception.

I realize of course it makes sense they would really want two of their engines present at any given time (ideally the 4MT being one I'm assuming), as they require only so many engines and the debate of whether having a big pacific express passenger locomotive is really necessary (especially in the current climate), so that makes sense.

Still I can't help but get the impression at times that those who are supporters of Swanage are not so enthused with the SLL as much. Indeed I can't help but get the impression their been a rather long held resentment against them ever since they sold off their other 4MT, as I recall well how shocking and even angered many were towards the SLL.

The fact the SLL have been getting very chummy with Spa Valley Railway of late, makes me wonder if this is a sign that the divide between the Swanage Railway and the SLL will grow yet further.

Be more than happy if I was wrong of course though, and I am aware that the SLL had been seeking a secondary base for sometime, which makes total sense for them. I mean seriously what railway could honestly host potentially host five if not perhaps SIX bullied pacifics if they do actually go forward in restore their newly acquired Merchant Navy! And this is without counting in their one 4MT and Norman into the mix...

A big list of engines to manage for any group, least of all any railway like Swanage or most other railways for that matter!

Just hoping all in all that relations between the Swanage Railway and the SLL remain a good healthy one, as it would be a shame to see it end considering how far back to the two go.

Again be more then happy if I was wrong in my perception on this matter!

 

As an armchair minor SLL shareholder, my perception is of a maturing relationship, where SLL is no longer an effective offshoot of the Swanage MPD. I get no impression of distance, just of recognition that the two organisations have different interests and need to be able to manage them distinctly.

 

Yes they do have different interests. SLLs main interest seems to be in restoring a large fleet of Bulleids. This conflicts with the Swanage railways aim of having a fleet of sensible sized locomotives for it’s services. This conflict is evidenced by the sale of the 4MT, and comments from the Swanage Railway in the past that they consider Bulleids too big for the line.

Things have changed in recent years. With the arrival of 31806, 31874, 31625, 30120 and 563, the Swanage Railway has been able to significantly reduce it’s reliance on SLL.

SLL has realised it is outgrowing the Swanage Railway with the additional base now being established at the Spa Valley Railway.

However I’m sure a couple of SLL locos will always be welcome/needed at Swanage. So long as they don’t go and sell 80104 as well.