The Purbeck Pioneer...

Didn't think I'd ever say this, but good on The Daily Mail! They seemed to have printed quite a few sympathetic railway stories recently and written them very well. The fact they got the photo up within a couple of hours is pretty impressive.

But the real praise should of course go to all the Swanage Railway volunteers - well done!

Once the signalling issues are sorted I hope to be able to travel on a regular scheduled service to Swanage - it is a great destination.

 

Shame they have decided that the branch was closed by beeching, think they need to do a bit more research

 

Hope you enjoy these

 

Thanks for the pictures - brilliant (and red!).

Its all going to happen again tomorrow, although I don't know if we will keep the shiny red shed for a second outing...

 

where do you store the stock, assume none of your loops are long enough so does it go back to just beyond Norden?

 

Yes - very much. Thanks for posting the pics. A sight worth waiting half a lifetime for. Well done everyone at the Swanage =D>

Steve
(WSW)

 

It stayed in the platform

 

An excellent trip. Pretty much ran to time throughout, lovely weather too. I'll upload a couple of photos tomorrow if I get a chance. Congratulations to Swanage Railway.

 

I might be wrong,but didnt a Virgin Voyager (empty) run through a few years ago?

 

Indeed it did, in September 2002, http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/news159.htm but as you say it was an empty stock working and came through at 5mph. The stub has been used since, to bring the diesel fleets through for 2008 & 2007 galas (as well as this year's gala on 8-10 May plug plug). We've also had some ballast arrive and various other empty workings in recent months.

Yesterday was, however, the first fully laden fare paying passenger trip since 1972.

 

http://nr.fotorail.com/#/content/BLatest/Copy%20(2)%20of%20Purbeck%20Pioneer.JPG/

A picture of yesterdays run going back

 

That is the plan for the Tangmere charter in May so I am told

 

http://nr.fotorail.com/#/content/BLates ... rgret.JPG/

At Worgret Junction at 1700 ish.


Looking forward to the kettle trip on Star Wars day =D> Should be fun.

 

All congratulations gratefully received - our respective sprains, callouses, etc achieved over the past 37 years have all been worthwhile when you see two train loads of passengers direct from London. The weather was very kind to us too \/
When will "the Media" accept once and for all that Beeching did NOT close our branch ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) He reported that in Winter it lost money, but provided an essential service (!), but made pots of money in Summer. I think it was Labour Transport Minister Richard Marsh who signed the Closure Order during 1971 that closed the branch on 3rd January 1972.
As we weren't running services yesterday and today we were able to leave the stock in Swanage Station. However, on 2nd and 4th May (Tangmere in 2nd, and then Tangmere out 4th) will be totally different. Trying to slot in these tours between our 40 minute interval service will be tricky to say the least !

 

A 10 minute featurette for your delectation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siUsND4xt1U&feature=channel_page

 

A lovely little video telling a good story. Well done. =D> =D>
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Finally got round to sorting out my photos from 1st April.

http://5944.fotopic.net/c1683161.html