Swanage Railway General Discussion

It is what it is. The carriage shed at Herston is absolutely essential and a massive step forward for the railway.
Vandalism at Herston has decreased dramatically over the years and whilst this isn’t a secure shed, will be a roof over the carriages with side protection going down.

The site is tight but the railway has gone through exhaustive consultations and has finally hit the go button at Herston. It has been debated to death and I’m finally absolutely delighted we are cracking on with this.

The KWVR have a half side carriage shed and they seem pretty happy with it.
This shed should of been built decades ago, the fact was the railway was so preoccupied extending the line.
These sheds (there will be more than one) are the first step to make the railway truly sustainable.

 

I wonder if you are making the pursuit of the perfect the enemy of the good that is available. One would assume the SR have done their research and concluded that, while a Herston Carriage Siding may not be flawless, it is the best option available to them within the constraints of their line, and so they've gone for it. If every railway was to put off going for a good option because they felt it was not perfect, very little would actually get done...

 

Out of interest, are the architects the same as the one who did the KWVR carriage shed?

 

It’s good to hear of a positive development. Lots of railways favour this type of design, partly to reduce construction costs and partly for the ventilation. An enclosed shed is rarely truly secure and there’s an argument to say that if people get inside they then have the run of the place, unfortunately. A modern security system is a wise investment.

 

Why not buy one of those old SLEP coaches from Okehampton and park it at Herston. Volunteers (or adventurous Members!!) get accommodation. Railway gets most important part of any security equation. Humans in Place!

 

That depends, on whether the railway already has suitable accommodation, or if it doesn't, whether Herston is the best place to put it. I'd imagine those who are most likely to make use of the accommodation are crews with an early start, so if Herston isn't well situated relative to where locos are going to be prepped and brought into steam, it probably doesn't makes sense to install your volunteer accommodation there. Also, even if it would make sense to have volunteer accommodation there, is there space?

 

CCTV systems record facts in progress and IMHO do not have the deterrence factors of humans on site. Reading articles over the years the HR movement is very much prone to vandalism particularly in remote locations.
An ounce of prevention is worth 10,000 pounds worth of cure. Of course there would be logistics and movement problems but when one sees countless hours of volunteer labour trashed in a relatively short space of time
the inevitable question is, and not just from enthusiasts, Why are they not doing a better job of preventing such occurrences?

 

I think at the end of the day, you won't ever stop people vandalising, but you have to weigh up the risk and mitigate it to the best of your ability.
The primary purpose of this shed is to protect coaches from the daily risk of the elements, namely rain. It will do that 365 days of the year and allow coaches to remain properly dry and ventilated.
Its an extremely worthwhile development and although there is risk, the benefits of this, far far far outweigh the risk.
The moors carriage stable, although on a vastly bigger scale, is exactly the same.

 

A couple of reasons why that may not be the best solution: 1. You're reducing the capacity of the shed by 1 full carriage right from the start. 2. You are assuming that there are enough volunteers to stay there every night that the shed is in use. I would suggest that this is highly unlikely. 3. Assuming you can get volunteers to stay there, you have to think about logistics and welfare - is there car parking, electricity, water, toilet facilities?

 

Is the plan to use it for the operational carriages, or the “to be restored”?

Tom

 

Operational I believe. Primarily the two restored Bulleids, restored Maunsell TO plus the second Maunsell TO when finished. Also the observation car. The rest will be filled up with MK1s. Although stock will rotate depending what’s needed in service.

Other carrriage sheds planned in future to accomodate more of the collection.

At one point three Pullman cars at Carnforth were due to come to Swanage once covered accommodation was available. Not sure if that will still happen?

 

There are plenty of people who think the NYMR's so-called stable is not the best solution to carriage stabling and protection from elements of all types.

 

More important nearest pub / fish and chips / curry house etc etc

 

Actually it would meet those three criteria, but not so handy for the shed and no parking or room to make any.

 

It was lovely to see steam rising from the Station Area today. Things must be progressing.

 

Get a large dog also , that will keep intruders at bay

 

1) Agreed, as there are no plans to extend a siding by 75 feet that I know of; 2) Herston Halt is just under 1 mile from Swanage and there is no safe walking route [nor room to build one I venture to suggest; and 3) there is no car parking, no electricity, no mains water and no toilets due to no sewerage system anywhere nearby.

 

Saw 80104's fireman in action this afternoon whilst it was stabled on the Coal Dock road.
Also, saw wisps of heat haze emanating from 31806's chimney, whilst it is stabled on Swanage Goods Shed road, so not sure if it's still in steam or now cooling down.

 

Good facebook update on the 3rd 4TC carriage at Barrow Hill. Presumably lots of interior work to do.
May not be long till a 3 carriage unit is working with a 33 loco?

 

It was also lovely to see a row of hard working volunteers on the station cleaning outside of carriages this morning