Swanage Railway General Discussion

TBH I was talking generally, across opps we could do with more volunteers. Who would not want to volunteer (unless you lived in Strathspey) at our beautiful railway in Dorset?

 

I wasn't saying we don't need more volunteers. Im simply saying that there are currently only just enough steam turns to go round.

 

Is there a chance, assuming normal July not so high temperatures, the yellow timetable could run some 2 steam trains services again, or are other restrictions, like coal price?, a factor?

 

Water quality is currently a big issue as it's becoming very variable.

 

Good to see 31806 in action today!! It's now cooler for the crews but very warm temperatures predicted again at the end of next week. <BJ>

 

Yes I was somewhat surprised to see it leave this morning. If the last two days were diesel due to fire risk, is the U a "safer" loco?, the wind is way stronger today. The U only returned yesterday or Thursday, do not know which, but I did see it on the shed yesterday afternoon.

 

Last chance for those of us that like non shiny locos it seems.
Latest update from the SLL site.

"Manston continues to give sterling service but the time is coming when we believe her dirty state may start to compromise the cladding. It could be that it will be time for some TLC which won't please a lot of photographers!"

 

Manston has been cleaned and polished for a number of weeks now.

 

But not quite up to showroom finish of course. "Well kept, well used condition" perhaps?

 

But not to the level of 34072 or 34028.

 

Pete, I think you have nailed the middle ground, whilst I and the 5% loved the '60's look, our core customers looked at it as negligence. Sad but right

 

It has been truly wonderful to have Manston in that 1960s external condition. But I fully understand the way your normal customer base have looked at it.

Maybe time for another SR heritage line to do the same with one of their locos . . . . . .

Bryan