Swanage Railway General Discussion

Presumably you use electricity for more than lighting though? How much does your workshop use?

Again, I’ll refer to our railway, but I believe the electricity bill is higher than, or at least comparable to, the coal bill - food for thought when there is much gnashing of teeth about rises in the latter, yet the electric is just as significant.

Tom

 

Perhaps the answer is to put solar panels on the covered carriage accommodation.

 

And I've a paper in my inbox to read about the possible benefits of installing panels and LED bulbs for a church. From a pure risk management perspective, the prospect is very tempting given how much electricity costs have risen, meaning that if capital is available, measures that will reduce costs will help secure our future.

 

DRC Carriage shed:



It does impact negatively on natural lighting levels within the shed, to the extent it was nicknamed "The Black Hole..." within about five minutes of being fitted.

 

There are now solar pv systems on sale where the 'panels' are virtually indisguishabe from bog standard dark roof tiles. Others share the profile, though in fetching shades of blue. TESLA's is not the only fruit!

Obviously, each type of installation has it's own pros and cons. This isn't really the place to go into detail.

 

Anyone planning to visit on Saturday for the vehicle event at HX may want to be aware that the penultimate stage of The Tour of Britain cycle race has Corfe Castle (by the NT car park) to Wareham as part of the stage. Matrix signs mention possible delays, race due at Corfe around 1300.
Also petrol in HX 159.9, in Sanford 173.9, a somewhat staggering difference.

 

I've been buying my petrol in Foley's for most of the summer, as it has been around 10p cheaper than anywhere else. The HX BP garage appears to be matching Foley's most of the time as well.

 

Nothing wrong with that aspiration. If you read my column you will know that I value heritage diesel locos in their own right. See Issue 297 and forthcoming Issue 298 for some very good class 47 runs.

 

Fair enough Don, but from my user name you do realise Brush 4’s are not exactly a big interest of mine?

 

From the BBC s Sport web page.
The Tour of Britain called off Friday's sixth stage before also cancelling the weekend's remaining stages. "Further to the earlier statement in relation to the cancellation of stage six as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, the organisers of the Tour of Britain can additionally confirm that stages seven (Dorset) and eight (Isle of Wight) will not take place," said a statement.
"This decision has been taken in consultation with stakeholders and partners in light of operational circumstances, including the understandable reassignment of police resource at this time. "The Tour of Britain organisation, alongside the teams, riders and officials involved in the event, send their deepest condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time."

 

https://bppcltd.com/classic-and-steam-vehicle-show/
Event still going ahead although recent rains may have made the field a little muddy.
Take boots/wellies just to be on the safe side I would have thought.

 

Hi, does anyone know which loco(s) are likely to be out this week ?

 

Yes

 

https://memes.getyarn.io/yarn-clip/d8835b28-e78a-40c9-9456-a441f5e23a9c/gif#rXNV17

 

On FB 6th Sept "Great news - steam returns from tomorrow (Wednesday)! One of our magnificent steam locomotives will be running on our Blue timetable, with 5 return trips throughout the day"
The SR may know in advance, but as long as it is steam, does publishing what loco in operation matter?
From the Swanage Railway Unofficial Facebook Group as both Eddystone and 31806 were running at the weekend, good chance it will be one of them through this week?.

 

I was hoping that 31806 might be out one day this week as I've never been behind it and I knew it was out last weekend, but it looks like it's 34028 if today's webcam is anything to go by.

 

The Magazine and a extra update arrived today. Not very encouraging news. 20% down in passenger numbers. Plus all the other problems.

I was a bit frustrated as it was pointed out the lack of updates in the locomotive department in the magazine and someone said "we could include something in the next magazine"

All there is a 3-page feature on the T3. And 3 images in Herston works showing off the M7 bunker and Manston. Not much detail otherwise and nothing about the current operating fleet.

The update is slightly better as it says Manston was delayed thanks to its Bissel truck, and as it might not be ready for Christmas so 80078 is coming back. And a Austerity is coming to handle the intended driving experiences. Not that informative otherwise.

 

I think it is likely that others will be similarly down on numbers. It was never going to be an easy year, that much was obvious as far back as this time last year. That will not have made it easier to deal with though really

 

I'm sure I recall reading SVR quoting a similar percentage down on passenger numbers? About the same on GWSR too, just the way it seems to be this year.

 

The very worrying result of this being that as the vast majority of Heritage Railways costs are fixed (ie very little variable cost which would be reduced by operating less mileage) the profit and loss account will have taken quite a hammering.