Swanage Railway General Discussion

The Santa season is probably the greatest drain there is on heritage railway staff and at a time when there are many other calls on peoples time. I know I always breathe a huge sigh of relief when that last train has run. It's even harder this year with Covid standing ready to pounce and decrease your available staff even more, often on the morning that they are rostered.

 

It is incredibly intensive.

For those not familiar with recent Swanage Santa Specials, the Christmas Dining Train ran as a separate operation and Car 14 was attached to the Santa Special Train to operate the "Christmas Belle".

Having said that, helping with the Santa Specials was incredibly good fun and hugely rewarding. IMHO best time of year on the railway.

 

By pure luck, not planning, I managed to get a shot of the train on Monday evening passing the Harmans Cross Christmas Trees as each coaches lights were turned back on.
I have a attached the set as reduced size images.

 

I have often thought that myself.
The thicker reaming of the corned beef can certainly lends itself to the smokebox cowling.
However, John Wests kippers tins are longer and slimmer yet still retain their air smoothed character.
In hindsight, perhaps the old lineside signs should read 'You're in the John West Country'

 

As the person who suggested running a feeder service (to the then passenger services manager in 2000) and produced a WTT for it, the reason behind it was the car park was run by SR and there was not a lot of parking in Swanage close by. Times change, the council runs the car park, it is unlit and there is plenty of available parking in Swanage.
People voted with their feet and passenger numbers dropped off to the point there was no financial reason to run the service anymore.

 

Hearing various loco whistles in the morning and again in the late afternoon led me to discover (courtesy of the webcam) a non public lunch operation with 80078 and a lights train with 31806 and 34072.
I thought that maybe there would not be many at Quarr Crossing, luckily in the end just me and a couple of Strix aluco in the trees between Quarr and Wilderness. Lovely still evening so the U could be heard basically all the way from Swanage, including one slip which I thought must have been New Barn from the noise, but was obviously way closer to Swanage based on the time it took to arrive.
I have enjoyed these two private runpasts from the "Ghost Trains" this week. I have no idea who or what they were for.
Not being one of the sections where from our trip the train reduces speed for the passengers to view the lights, the images turned out better than I expected.

 

I didn’t know this i always have been look for similar shape tins to it but didn’t think anyone did them. I had a collection when i was younger and idea to make thems into a model but when I went to start they were missing my wive must have found them an throw them out.

 

Blue Bulleid's (well not really)
34028 at Swanage and a unusual view of 257 Squadron at New Barn

 

Had a friend post on Facebook yesterday, his disappointment that; whilst walking round Corfe with his family, they heard a whistle and so rushed to the station to watch the train of lights they had heard about.

They were so miffed because the train was in darkness and apart from the novelty of a steam locomotive (for him and his family) it was a let down.

He has attached a few pics on his post and clearly it is the up dining train passing through Corfe................................................................................. at lunch time, broad daylight.

I thought he was a sound sensible person, I shall now re evaluate!

 

Your friend might be miffed at nightime as well, The lights are turned of between Corfe station and (I assume) Castle view so that it does not distract motorists on the A351 below, The lights are turned back on as the train approaches CC in the down direction.
I don't know if this is a request from the Dorset Police or just common sense, but we were doing the same thing last year as well!

 

They also do this on the North Norfolk and turn off the lights where the Railway runs parallel with the road out of Sheringham near the golf course.

 

Might help The Drivers see the train in the crossing by the Golf Course

 

My contribution...

 

My offering from Bridge 21 tonight. Amazingly I even seemed to miss the numerous cow pats in the field in dark.

 

For the first time this year 257 Squadron was on the front of the train leaving Swanage tonight. Tried Harmans Cross but the masses gathering their led me back to Bridge 21 again.
Also two from last nights first train at New Barn and Afflington Bridge(with the illuminated Castle just visible).

 

Looks like Eddystone at the Swanage end. Assume the U class is always rostered at the Wareham end because of its open cab and the risk of inclement December weather when leading towards Swanage. At least on the rear, the crew can seek some shelter


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31806 on the country end tonight.

 

Knocks my argument out of the water then!
Is there a preference for which end is which?


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You have my gratitude for coming up with this idea as the year no DMUs were available (2014?) and it was top and tail 33s was great. Had a brilliant day of photographing Cromptons, Santas and Christmas diners then some afternoon runs with the 33s with the front window in both directions. One of my favourite Swanage trips.

 

Good to see on Facebook a photo by David Ensor showing Manston - back in Herston works for final finishing.