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Swanage Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Rumpole, Oct 10, 2012.

  1. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    To go back to this. The excellent S&DRT calendar has as its image for September - 76013 on the 9.37 Bournemouth Central to Templecombe on the last day of regular passenger services over the S&D.
     
  2. 80104

    80104 Member

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    Stonehenge is in the top 20 paid for visitor attractions in the UK with C315K visitors per annum about the same as the Roman Baths in Bath and Longleat gets nearer 500K per annum.
    The excursion organisers obviously want to offer attractions with appeal and as long as it is doable from the port then they would offer those rather than say Swanage Railway.
     
  3. torgormaig

    torgormaig Part of the furniture Friend

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    I received my copy of the latest "Pines Express" today and by coincidence that too includes a picture of this train, stating that the loco was 76011. Checking other sources confirms that this is the correct identy not 76013.

    Peter
     
  4. DcB

    DcB Well-Known Member

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    Does the Swanage Railway have someone to promote itself as a tourist attraction who can liaise with tour operators and coach companies?
    Also in 2015 there were several events and galas to increase visitor numbers with families in mind, which hopefully will return in 2022 (Of Covid is under control) along with dining trains and project Wareham.
    https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/ne...swanage-railway-during-2014-than-ever-before/
     
  5. Colin Morgan

    Colin Morgan New Member

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  6. Colin Morgan

    Colin Morgan New Member

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    Swanage Railway pre- Covid was regularly carrying 200-220k passengers each year, Corfe Castle had similar number of paying visitors. There is some overlap between the two figures but the combined figure is still likely to be 300+k per annum, so very similar to your figure for Stonehenge. That is without the growth in passengers that will arise from a proper service connecting to the main line at Wareham. This could include travel by train from both Weymouth and Poole.
    I believe there has been interest in the past in providing excursions for cruise passengers from Weymouth to Corfe Castle, travelling by coach, which did not progress because of the problems of coping with a group of coaches arriving at Corfe Castle at the same time.
     
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  7. oliversbest

    oliversbest Member

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    Building back better; get the DMU rolling Wareham to Swanage 2022!!!
     
  8. 80104

    80104 Member

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    The post of Sales and Marketing Manager was made redundant at the end of last year as one of eight posts lost at that time due to the financial situation that SR is in.

    I understand that marketing is being done by the Passenger Services Manager with volunteers managing social media.
     
  9. 80104

    80104 Member

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    Full size coaches must not under any circumstances use Corfe Castle as a dropping off / picking up point. They can not access Station Road or the Car Park due to their lack of manouverability (for turning round or for negotiating the narrow roads in the village.)They could in theory use the Bus Stops on the main road but the time taken to embark / disembark 50 plus could cause major hold ups.

    They should of course either use Norden - where there is the large turning circle and dedicated parking bays - or Swanage - where there are the dedicated drop off and pick up points in Gilbert Road plus the coach parking bays in Victoria Avenue Car Park.

    The key to attracting main line rail use will be competitive through fares which do not undermine the existing fare structure.
     
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  10. 80104

    80104 Member

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    Swanage Railway used to attend the British Travel and Tourism Fair in Birmingham (this annual event has had various names over the years) the Groups Show (also in Birmingham but last in Milton Keynes) and various events aimed at group travel organisers at Alexandra Palace, Olympia, The London Stadium, Kempton Park Race Course and elsewhere.

    Swanage Railway is afaik a member of the coach touring association (CTA) which is a trade body bringing together coach operators, destinations, attractions and group organisers to promote the industry,

    It is also afaik a member of Visit Dorset, the Dorset Tourism Association, the equivalent body in the BCP council area as well as being a member of Visit England.

    It has previously hosted fam trips for event organisers.

    Whether these memberships / activities will continue given the loss of the post of Sales and Marketing Manager remains to be seen.
     
  11. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    In case anybody planning to visit in the next few days missed the Twitter update or the revised timetable on the website, the railway reverted to a one train service today and a two train one steam one diesel service for the Classic Transport Rally weekend. I do not know if the diesel service is the DMU or 33111.
     
  12. DcB

    DcB Well-Known Member

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    Realtime trains have the diesel service listed as 33111 with 5 coaches (but do not have an icon for 33111 yet!).
    33111 been busy with works trains, but as the steam locos have behaved not had much chance to earn passenger train or rescue duty revenue for its owner, the 33/1 Preservation company.
    https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-pt:922/2021-09-10/detailed
     
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2021
  13. Jupiter

    Jupiter New Member

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    —deleted— awaiting clarification from SR as to whether the evening DMU service is for the rally only, or is available to the general public as well.
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2021
  14. buzby2

    buzby2 Well-Known Member

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    Not sure what's wrong with 78018 to cause it to cease service operation. Hope it doesn't take too much to get it back in service.
     
  15. buzby2

    buzby2 Well-Known Member

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    Most of the events listed above were attended as part of the [then] Poole Attractions Group (now Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Attractions Group). This helps spread the high costs involved.
    Like most tourist businesses the emphasis will, inevitably, fall on restraining expenditure. I'm not aware which travel trade events will be held next year nor if the BCPAG members are intending to attend. Whether Swanage Railway intends having a 'share' in as many events as 2019 I have no idea.
    Currently there is a vacancy for a Volunteer Commercial Director so if you're interested please contact: Gavin Johns, Chairman, Swanage Railway - gavin.johns@swanagerailway.co.uk to discuss the role.
     
  16. DcB

    DcB Well-Known Member

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    An evening DMU service would be good for visitors to the classic transport rally, but so far it is not on the SR or realtimes website timetables.
     
  17. 80104

    80104 Member

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    I was under the impression that the evening service for the Friday and Saturday of the Transport Rally was a sort of quid pro quo to allow the exhibitors at the rally - who are camping on site - to visit the hostelries etc of either Swanage or Corfe Castle.
     
  18. DcB

    DcB Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, so just for the exhibitors which is why the evening DMU is not on the timetable or has any publicity. Sadly my car is not quite 20 years old or a classic!
    https://bppcltd.com/classic-and-steam-vehicle-show/
    Hope the event goes well and beats 2019's fundraising total for the railway.
     
  19. 80104

    80104 Member

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    I double checked the online timetable and it doesnt show the Evening Diesel service but it is in Weekly Operations Notice. I have to confess to being confused as in previous years the evening diesel for the Transport Rally has been available to all not just the exhibitors. If you are running a service then why not allow all to use it? The service has to have a guard, many of whom are happy to act as a TTI. If you cant sell tickets then ask people to use the donation box at Swanage Station.
     
  20. Gladiator 5076

    Gladiator 5076 Part of the furniture

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    The kids are back at school and "old people" rule at Corfe Castle once more! IMG_7101.JPG
     
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