Swanage Railway General Discussion

Looking at the Google map the Herston loco works are quite close to where the Herston carriage shed will be, just a smallish field in between. If the field could be brought, a siding to the Herston loco works (along near where the old gas works siding was) could be feasible.
But a long way off as there are several projects, loco and carriage restorations to be done. Also as the loco road movements to and from the works to the track are currently not too frequent.

 

The problem with that field is that it has the high pressure gas main that supplies the town running through it. Then the workshop was first put into use (early 1990s?), plans were drawn up for rail access into the workshops - but several factors militated against it:
- the curvature required to get far enough from the main running line before swinging back to get between the gap between the workshops and adjacent building;
- the need to have pointwork etc and a headshunt tramwayed well across the parking area in front of the workshops and well beyond the area within the railway's control (and the curvature resulting from the angles needed); but, most significantly,
- the sheer cost of bridging the gas main, which because of the way that it is routed would require either crossing twice, or a huge raft

In terms of cost:benefit the expenditure required would take eons to recover compared to paying for a road-rail trip every so often (and often done in combination with other moves to reduce the cost).

 

I seem to recall at one time there was a plan to install a link to the branch, going behind the works with the Old Oak turntable installed and accessing the works from the field side, sure i saw some plans somewhere a few years back.

 

Yes I remember plans to install the turntable at Herston. Didn’t realise it was to serve the purpose of accessing the works as well, but that would make sense.

The question is does Herston works have a long term future, or is it hoped to build a new works elsewhere (Furzebrook sidings?) in due course.

 

Yes I did pull the plans off the Purbeck Planning website a few years ago. I cannot find the planning application on there now, but drawings are dated 2013 and I seem to remember it was approved. However the approval will have expired now as work has not commenced.

 

Pretty sure the planning was renewed before it expired.

 

Swanage station at 4pm this afternoon:

BR standard class 2MT 78018 arrived hauled by 33.111.
Soon after, 34028 Eddystone arrived (in steam) hauled by the class 08. <BJ>

 

Didn't know 78018 was paying a visit - apologies if I missed a post in this thread! How long is she staying for?

 

News to me too until I noticed going past the park.

 

With the expiry of 80104’s boiler certificate imminent, and 34072 transferred to Herston Works for some attention, that only leaves 34028 and 31806. 34028 probably still needs some running in and final fetttling before it can enter service. So no surprise that an extra loco has been hired in to help for now.

Maybe they shouldn’t have been so hasty in letting 34053 go.

 

Nice to see a visiting loco, look like Swanage plan a two steam engine timetable during may half term so guess that one of the reasons its been brought in.

 

78018 is expected to remain at Swanage "for several weeks" according to GCR Rail Mail.

 

Need to get rid of that tender and fit side tanks. Surprised no one thought of that!

 

Thought it was also to enable the turning of visiting mainline locos

 

Yes that as well.

 

Naughty!

 

But didn't the WSR take a tank engine and add a tender to it? Perhaps a tender is best after all.......

 

Bluebell Railway are already doing that converting 78059 to 84030,

 

Funny thing was not knowing it was coming I only opened the office blinds when I heard the Class 33 horn. The wife said what was that, and I said don't know looked like a Jinty (as it disappeared behind the trees). Yes I do need an eye test, but I am waiting until my second jab kicks in at the end of the month.

 

Managed to get to the railway today. Had to see the old girl one last time.