SWT Bubble car

SWT's bubble car (960012) was delivered to Swanage yesterday by the rail connection.

It will be going to Ramparts within next 2 weeks to have its doors and seats reinstated.

 

It was straight into service yesterday operating the 'brake van' specials at Swanage station. According to the SR General Manager, after refurbishment the Bubblecar will return to Swanage to join the existing DMU fleet.

 

Will it be kept mainline registered? (i presume it has OTMR)

Chris

 

There was no mention of it going main line in the future.

 

can I ask...from its current number , would this be 55012? if so its a Gloucester rather than pressed steel built unit is it? Pictures would be luvverly

 

I am reliably informed that its 55028.

Have some photos(received via email) of it arriving at Swanage but am unsure how to post them on here.....

Techno phobe me....

 

Some details can be found on the informative railcar website at http://www.railcar.co.uk/his120-129/121non.htm

 

I love SWT livery - But doesn't look right on a Bubble Car (And am I right this being the camera unit)??

 

No it was used by SWT as a route learning unit.

 

it doesnt have OTMR, was not considered a requirement

 

I would have thought that main line would be very unlikely. The one used by Chiltern on the Aylesbury-Princes Risborough services is allowed only on that branch and occasionally to Quainton and with a maximum speed of 40 MPH due to the perceived risk of a mark 1 coach with no barrier vehicle.

 

I asked as i saw something recently that still mentioned using the 117's bought by the council to run a shuttle service to Wareham, for which the 121 could be added for more capacity.

Chris

 

The Dorset purchased 117s are 3 car units which will require extensive work on them before being allowed onto the main line.

The bubblecar was simply a chance not to be missed and will be used singly in our quiet moments or it could boost the 2 car 117/108 if required. We plan to replace about half of the original doors but CDL is not on the radar. Neither of the SR DMUs are planned to go mainline either.

 

I was on crossing duty at Norden and got these images for your entertainment

ex-SWT bubblecar at the Stopboard awaiting clearance to move over the Norden Crossing

Following the 11:50 departure from Norden the bubblecar was cleared to travel through to Corfe Castle

The Swanage Railway 117 passes with the 11:50 Swanage to Norden service

 

It looks very good already! Could I ask, without sounding arrogant, who is John Cameron?

 

Owner of 60009 Union of South Africa and 61994 Thr Great Marquess.
One of the Directors of Stagecoach Rail division.
One time member of Scottish Region Board.

He also runs a major farming operation in Fife. There was a good background article on his preservatioon activities a few months ago in Steam Railway.

I've met him and he is a great character and has got a very good unterstanding of preservation and current commercial railway operations.

Regards, Neil

 

SWT Director
Reference-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cameron_(Scottish_farmer)

 

A very nice chap indeed - he should have been a driver!!

 

Thanks for the reply Romsey

 

I believe he has been known to put a finger print on 60009's regulator from time to time over the decades and is certainly never far away from the fireman's seat on many tours. [Actually, he uses a cloth like the professionals so there shouldn't be fingerprints.]

Must ask if we are keeping the name plates during the Bubble's restoration/repaint at Ramparts or whether they're going back to SWT.