Swanage Railway General Discussion

I don’t care about the colour, but I’d like to see the wheels swapped around. It’s been running with that weird back-to-front configuration for far too long…

 

50% of the time it's right ... Just be selective about the videos you choose to watch

Tom

 

Oh riiight, you’re one of those glass half-full types!

 

As long as it's not the gauge glasses, otherwise dependant on where you are, what way round your facing, you could come unstuck very quickly if the gradient were to change

 

I thought that a loco roster would be very helpful in drawing in more passengers.

Unfortunately not updated since 25th Sept. Final loco rostered 29th Sept. <BJ>

Planned Locomotive Roster* (swanagerailway.co.uk)

 

Totally agree

 

With finite volunteer resource is better than whatever else the volunteers are doing?
Is it really that good at pulling in extra people? If say 75% of the railway's pool (ie people who might go) are not enthusiasts, and 25% enthusiasts, how many of that 25% will be tipped into going by that?

This of course is simplistic analysis, but as an enthusiast, I'm outnumbered by non-enthusiasts, so my decision to visit will be based on whether I can fit it into a holiday.

But if the (say) 2 volunteer hours spent doing that means that fewer toilets get cleaned or carriages washed, or whatever, the uptick in enthusiasts (which is a subset of a subset) may be cancelled out by a number of future non-visitors put off by dirty coaches.

 

I think that is somewhat naive, since it seems to treat volunteers as simply being an amorphous resource that can be deployed wherever the need is greatest. But that isn't how things work in practice: you'll have people with the skill (and motivation) to clean carriages, and others with the skill (and motivation) to update a website, but it is very unlikely that you will be faced with the decision "I have a volunteer looking for something to do - now what is the highest value job I can give them, carriage cleaning or website updating?"

Realistically, updating the loco roster is something that will either be done by paid staff; or else needs to be a motivated volunteer in the loco department as an addition to what else they do. If the latter, it is very unlikely that the choice is between "loco roster or carriage cleaning"; it would be between "loco roster or I've already done my bit for the railway shovelling pits out today".

Tom

 

Manston was in light steam today, but that means nothing. Was told it will work next Thursday. So, hopefully, an extra 10,000 passengers now that people know which loco is being rostered

 

Oh no, that means six coaches and a 33 at the back

Only joking .... <BJ>

 

Seems someone must have heard you as the roster has been updated to the 20th Oct now, with it showing Manston running from today (5/10) for the coming week.

 

With some rear end assistance for the true mainline experience at least on the first train, which did not leave until 10:45, and is load 5 as usual. I assume there was an issue with the Manston.

 

I remain unconvinced on that. Even as an enthusiast it would probably only decide which day I go, rather than if I went, so unlikely to cause more visits (SR excluded as I can walk up and look of course). It may however give me a decision on which days not to go if it is a loco I am not keen on.
Looking at the pax demographic (although I am sure the railway has better data) I think @Bikermike is very generous with his 75/25 split. Certainly from my viewings whilst wandering past weekdays and certainly Tuesday to Thursday at the moment, is probably more 90/10. Still seem to be a number of reserved signs so I guess they are coach groups.
Yes any extra farebox is good but I would be surprised it has little impact having a roster for a wet Thursday in October. Especially as when I walked back from the town the other afternoon about 15:00 on a sunny day I counted 20 cars in the car park.

 

No issue with Manston, more with road users who appear to not be aware of the height of their vehicle.

 

Bridge strike I assume, which one this time?
Having had to drop the wife off at Herston Village Hall at 09:40 thought I would wait to photograph the 10:00. Glad I gave up after 10:15.

 

Corfe Viaduct?

 

Have to be something pretty high! I can only think of Sandy Hill lane at Corfe, or New Barn bridge.

 

or Woodyhyde

 

The Bath Railway Society Newsletter states an underbridge between Norden & Frome River bridge has been badly damaged by a skip lorry