Swanage Railway General Discussion

Just on that point: I tend to think that social media should be an "in addition" to publishing such info on a website, not an "instead of". As an example, I just saw what is (presumably) the same Facebook post as @Big Al mentioning 563 in traffic. But it appeared in my feed late this afternoon: too late to have made a decision about travel today had I been so minded.

Social media can be good for grabbing attention, and any railway would be mad to ignore it. But you are at the mercy of the algorithms written by vast faceless corporations who certainly don't have the interest of a little business in ruritania as their number one focus: posting is not the same as being inevitably sure it appears in people's feeds, either in a timely way or even at all.

(Ever seen those "See more / see fewer messages from X" attached to a post? The fact you are being asked if you want to see more is a guarantee that you definitely aren't being shown everything an organisation puts out by default).

The other problem with social media is finding anything you know you saw but largely scrolled by. So a post saying a loco is to steam may not be seen; or else may be glanced at but then be unfindable when you go back to check what it said.

Apart from major galas, I suspect most decisions to visit an attraction like a heritage railway are probably made a few days in advance. That would be the time you might check on a loco roster if such a thing mattered. ("I'm free next Friday, I wonder what is running at Swanage?"). At that point, if the loco mattered, I'd be checking the main website (along with checking timetables, prices, and other visitor info - especially if visiting a line that was unfamiliar). By time I am at the point of being close to a buying decision a day or two in advance, I wouldn't be looking to social media for that kind of detailed information. So fine as an additional source if info, but not I'd suggest as a primary source.

Tom

 

Well, as an in cider ,there is no loco booked for Friday for the rostered turns.

 

Is this a case of Somerset creeping into Dorset?

 

No rostered turns this Friday anyway

 

563 now confirmed as in service Saturday and Sunday too.

 

LSWR T3 No.563 is due to work services on the 14th, 15th, 21st and 22nd of September.

 

Yeehaa, the Swanage Railway are now showing a loco roster for all of September. The link is currently top of the Your Visit section on the website. Shown with the usual caveat about subject to change at short notice, which is something we all must accept can happen.

As well as thanking the SR (and those who have commented here), I have already responded with a modest, gift aided donation - ie putting money where mouth is!

Well done Swanage Railway,

Bryan B

 

Southern Locomotives Ltd | Latest News (southern-locomotives.co.uk)

The BIG NEWS of the year for me at least is the news Eddystone maybe will be going MAINLINE!

This certainly is big news for any steam fan and it looks like it will still be based on the railway. It sounds like the equipment (worth 50k) will be new as in... not taking away the mainline approved U class.

 

Not major news if you are around the railway, would love for Manston in its current quise to venture out into the big world

 

T3 in early Autumn Purbeck sunshine.
I had intended originally to go down to track level but a herd of cows were placed nicely to be in the foreground. Of course proving the never work with animals maxim they all wondered out of shot before the train arrived.

 

I wonder where they wandered

 

Currently, the allocation looks like 31806 up to Friday 20th then change to T3 563 on Saturday 21st. Nothing published for Sunday 22nd onwards as yet.
All subject to loco availability of course.

 

Looking at the website this morning, the planned autumn steam gala for the end of October has now been cancelled.

 

Oh great! We have booked the Cattery for our mog and a hotel booked for the weekend

 

Shame but it makes the decision between that and GWSR much simpler

 

Does anyone know if a normal service will operate instead?

 

I guess it is half term week as there are trains on the Monday and Friday Oct 28 and Nov 1. So would expect Saturday and Sunday trains, Friday 25th wait and see I guess.

 

That is so sad. I had hoped that running a busy service (including a goods train?) with those locos available from 31806, 34028, 34070 and 563, along with maybe a loco like 80078 that, at a guess, would be cheaper to get road-hauled in/out than a tender loco, would have given the SR a net income boost before the winter period. But those running the railway will know far, far better than me whether they have the resources to run such a late October event, and if it would actually give a net income boost to help them through winter 2024/2025.

And let's not forget what the Swanage Railway gave us in early June this year - a most amazing event featuring EIGHT Bulleid pacifcs.

Bryan B