Swanage Railway Spring Steam Gala: 24th - 26th March 2023

Couldn't agree more

 

Just noticed an offer on the gala web page
BOOK BEFORE 26.2 and GET 25% DISCOUNT!
https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events/view/spring-steam-gala

 

Since that's over 14 days (the minimum notice period for a rail strike) before the gala, that's not a lot of use to anyone hoping to get there by train.

 

I would have thought the fact there is an offer would imply some attempt to generate sales. It is hardly the fault of the SR, or any Heritage Line or Railtour company to align sales or offers around the whims of striking workers on the national network as tough as that may sound. What about all those theaters or concert venues? They are in exactly the same situation.
In my experience offers are undertaken to generate sales early to kick things off, or late in the day if sales are lower than hoped.
A policy that certainly seems to be followed in the railtour market and has been proven by the airline industry for years.
So are you saying offers should only be made to guarantee there will not be a strike? What about engineering works that may be introduced at short notice, or even the planned ones that clash with other galas? That disadvantages network users as well.
NRE shows engineering work on both Saturday and Sunday with RRB service between Weybridge and Basingstoke. So rail only and good west of Basingstoke anyway.

 

Lets not assume the worst eh?
It's a whole month away now and so far, only a few inconveniences here and there, much better than a full system shut down.

 

What am I assuming the worst of?
Just stating things like they are in the real commercial world.

 

My bad, read it wrong.
I know what you mean, you got works going between Brighton and Three Bridges that weekend too.
Meaning all the Brighton-Southampton trains are going to be all over the place, unfortunately, that's the service I will need to take to get to Southampton.

 

Looking at the Network Rail Engineering Access Statement, the Waterloo - Weymouth service and Waterloo - Portsmouth services will divert via Cobham and the the Portsmouth Direct.
I suspect the Weymouth service will be reduced to hourly with the other half hour being combined with Winchester - Poole stopping services and extended to Basingstoke.
Incidentally, the West of England service is diverted to and from Reading.
Victoria - Brighton services are shown to be diverted via the Arun Valley reversing at Littlehampton. Hopefully the Brighton - Southampton services should be OK and there is no mention of the booked Arun Valley service being revised.

Cheers, Neil

 

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U66125/2023-03-22/detailed
Britannia ( I assume) on a slightly circuitous trip from Crewe to Swanage. Not many moves have 5 run rounds or reverses.

 

I wonder which way it will be facing by the time it reaches the Swanage Railway? I assume it will be chimney first from Crewe to Yeovil Junction but what happens after than depends on whether they spin it on the turntable at Yeovil.

 

I tried to work it out, then thought exactly of that given the time it is there, and gave up.

 

I would hazard a guess (and it is only a guess) that Britannia would be turned on the Yeovil turntable, that would make it chimney first to YPM, Tender First to Weymouth, Chimney first to Poole etc
That would make it the right way round for it's return trip to Crewe via Basingstoke and either Oxford Coventry/Tysley to Crewe or via Southall and take up one of the pathways used for WCR movements.
Have RTT produced any timings for 76084 from Sheringham to Swanage yet?

 

Of course it could have come down that way and either been chimney first into Swanage or via Andover and t/f from Southampton U & DGL to be ready for the return. Nearly 15.5 hours and all those reverses/run rounds just seems excessive.

 

Excessive perhaps but necessary. It will run via Keynsham which is very close to where I live

 

Is 76084 still in ticket for the main line?

 

Looks like the basis of a timetable

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...23-03-24/0000-2359?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

Looks simple and sensible

Andrew

 

Not sure, but I do know it did a crew training run to Cromer and back in May last year.

 

Well it's the 7th March now and I don't see a timetable.
Although they have confirmed there will only be 5 engines, thank goodness.

 

Hardly a surprising comment from WesternRegionHampshireman. Obviously someone who has a chip on his shoulder. <BJ>

 

Little bit out of order that comment, our friend from Hampshire has previously mentioned about various reasons why they are why they are.
Possibly something I should remember myself maybe but slack should be cut sometimes.