Swanage Autumn Steam Gala 12 - 14 September

I guess not Repton as it will be of to the E & OR (along with 34072) as part of this years new "rolling gala" idea. Stop after that Grosmont.

 

926 definitely won't
Its at Epping the Friday-Sunday the week after

 

I've heard a rumour that 926 is currently en route to Swanage and that one of the lorries (engine and tender) will take 20066 back to Barrow Hill now that 33053 has settled into work at Swanage.

 

Just a bit of background as to why the visitors don't do much on the freight, each freight trip between Norden, Harmans Cross and return takes a loco out of the main circulation for several hours, by the time it has put away in the sidings at Harmans Cross to let other trains pass and then subsequently run round and gone back to Norden. As such, in order to maximise the potential for people to ride behind the visiting locos, it was decided that we would focus the visitors on the various passenger trains.

Where the visitors do work the freight, it is either the initial collection from Harmans Cross or the last half trip to drop it back there, which occupy the loco for a lot less time, but give less opportunities. Unfortunately, with the other set pieces and workings that were desired, getting 30506 on the freight chimney first just didn't slot into place.

 

Having just had a check on the Gala webpage I notice an omission.
Although it states "The Book Stall will be open each day of the event on Corfe Castle Platform, who knows what gems you might find there!" it doesn't mention "The Book Wagon" - which will be open on all three days of the Gala.
This ex-LSWR van resides adjacent to the former Cattle Dock area between the Railway Museum (former Goods Shed) and buffet coach at Corfe Castle station.
Cash or Card are accepted for all those railway books that you have been seeking for a while.

 

Many thanks for explaining that. With my main (only?) focus being shots of 34070 and 30506 coming past the loco shed chimney first into Swanage I'm facing a very long day for one possible photo. Plus seeing both unrebuilt Bulleids running of course.

Coupled with me clearing my designer's latest work on my BR SR Steam book and getting the next section checked to go to her, and other book stuff, it rather sadly looks like I'll give the event a miss. This ageing thing is a right pain at times, starts to limit how many things you can do in a week! But of course I hope it goes really well for all at the Swanage Railway and all the visitors.

Bryan

 

Interesting as I only recognise the terms "Book Barrow", or "Book Wagon" for Corfe. Both are technically on the platform so maybe a generic term like a Hoover for every vacuum cleaner.

 

It's good to see that 926 Repton has arrived safely at the Swanage Railway. It faces Wareham.

Update: At 16:10, it was towed into the bay platform at Swanage behind 33.053. 10 mins later it was sat on the shed. <BJ>

 

What I call my £90 image, as that is how much my visit to the hygienist had cost a few minutes before. Goes up every time I visit, add that to £450 for new varifocal lenses yesterday it is turning into an expensive week. Pure luck that I noticed the 16:00 did not even have the road at just after 16:00, so guessed with the absence of 33053 (which the railways Facebook page was on the service train today) something may be arriving, although at that time nothing was signalled. so guessed with the absence of 33053 (which the railways Facebook page was on the service train today) something may be arriving.

 

The Book Stall will be open each day of the event on Corfe Castle Platform refers to a two (large) wheel luggage/parcels barrow on which is a small range of DVDs as well as a few railway books and some paperbacks.
The Book Wagon I referred to is not sited on the platform but at the nearby ex-Cattle Dock alongside the former Former Goods Shed - converted now to Swanage Railway Museum.
The Book Wagon has a MUCH larger selection of Railway books; DVDs and related leaflets/catalogues/official notices/etc. The Book Wagon is about 20 yards/metres or so walk away from Corfe platform so I would tend to think the description "technically on the platform" as stretching things just a little.
Two distinct outlets - although both raise funds for the Railway's Museum at Corfe.
Just now having to pray for better weather for the Gala than the current 'moist' atmosphere.

 

Despite all my many visits I have never seen this even when munching a bacon roll from the buffet coach!

 

Hi Rumpole. Will an updated timetable be published before Friday? The one on the website is the original one with the error. Also have the stock allocations changed? We plan to visit Friday whatever the weather and I have planned an easy day. Just hope the SWR isn’t having another duvet day. Thanks Don

 

Unfortunately it suffers from the seemingly countrywide problem of lack of volunteers.
Currently the (LSWR Brown) Book Wagon, next to the Buffet coach at Corfe, is open only on one day at weekends due to only two volunteers [both in the one family] running it.
However, other people have been 'dragged kicking and screaming' [] to ensure all three days of this Gala are covered.
Just hoping the poor-ish weather forecast is wrong though as, to some extent, Purbeck does seem to have it's own micro climate which can make National forecasts for the area seem somewhat risible at times.
Shortly after The Swanage Belle returned through Corfe Castle this afternoon, 33053 towed 30506 towards Swanage which means both visitors 'have landed' and will be prepared with warming fires in readiness for the weekend's activities.