Project Wareham

There might be a chance online to take an upgrade to Freedom of the Line tickets so day visitors can also use the steam trains?.

 

The thought had crossed my mind as those that just wanted to ride the steam service would have to pay another £18 or £25 depending on the number of trips planned. I suspect the commercial team will have given this some thought.

 

In the 2017 trial, you were allowed to get off the Wareham diesel service and make part of your journey on the steam service instead, at no extra charge. I’d imagine there would be similar provision this time.

 

Outside operator who will pass out SR traincrews through the year.

 

Not strictly true, but an outside operator.

 

But using the Swanage DMUs?

 

Yes

 

It’s official. Now on Swanage Railway Facebook
Site. Wareham services running 4 days a week from April to September.

 

And operated by WCRC again. Must means some WCRC drivers have had to pass out on the DMU as I guess none had that type before.

 

Meanwhile at Poole station just now, strange routings are taking place on the Weymouth line.

 

That's what the press release says, maybe they will also train some SR staff and volunteers to run the service?
I see it also says
"South Western Railway’s regional development manager, Andrew Ardley, said: “SWR is proud to support the Swanage Railway by giving customers the ability to buy tickets through to Corfe Castle and Swanage from any one of the 189 stations on our network. This is an historic moment for the Swanage Railway and we look forward to seeing the results of this highly anticipated trial.”"
So can go to my local SWR station and have a day trip to the SR.

 

I’m delighted that the Wareham service will be starting next month and I really hope it’s a rip-roaring success!
I’m sure there will be good reasons for it, but sadly, if the timing of the first Wareham departure really is as late as 11.19, I will have to continue to travel to Swanage by train and bus. I like having a full day at the seaside rather than just an afternoon. I’m sure to travel on the dmu occasionally but not as a means of getting to Swanage.

 

There was of course this back in 2017, in reality an RTC DCE

 

I agree an earlier train will be better.

 

It will be intriguing to see what the fares look like from say Brockenhurst or New Milton. I wonder how they are going to manage railcard discounts and other features of mainline ticketing.

Hopefully it will be hugely successful and put SRC "back on track".

 

As per the 2017 trial I believe the timetable is designed to enable all 4 trips to be done with one crew, you can’t really extend the operating day without massively increasing costs, sadly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Remember this is only the 2nd (and final) year of test service gauge demand and finances.
While regular steam is defo a difference type of service, hopefully this year proves that a regular cheaper (£25 is still rather expensive) service for family and travellers to get to Corfe and Swanage without driving. Though I would agree a later service would be great during the high peak

 

Indeed, although there is an argument that you can’t properly gauge demand if the timetable only
allows an afternoon in Swanage. There might be much greater demand if the timetable allowed a whole day in the area.

 

And that is another instance where you can find out about the people who do come but can only guess about the people who might have come.