Swanage Railway General Discussion

Looking forward to see the Halloween train, is this confirmed to be a steam train ?

So far sales are extremely low. Unsure weather it would have been easier, instead of a separate train Nordon - Nordon. To run 2 services like normal but make both of them 'more Halloween themed'. A trip without being allowed off at Swanage at all seems for me, a shame

 

Wow and my wife calls me "Mr Negativity"
So the railway is trying a new experience, it may work, it may not, but if you do not try you will never know.
Good job NASA decided to go into space despite not being able to put the space station up on the first launch.

Were you not one of those complaining earlier in the year that the railway should have been running a daily two train steam service all summer?

Where is Nordon by the way?

 

It will be steam.

 

In Sweden: Nordon North Yacht Harbour, Tjuvkil, Sweden Marina.

Bryan

 

It also reduces any chances of secondary spend in the station shop.

Swanage Railway experimented with a Halloween Specials Week some (many?) years ago. It must have been none-too-successful though as either the event used too many volunteers [and the railway has less now] and/or not enough profit was made. From memory, which was never very good in the first place unfortunately, I do not recall Halloween Specials being repeated until now.
Time, and bookings, will tell no doubt.

 

One of the Maunsell carriages has left the carrage shed, is this now both repainted? Have to say they are looking stunning

 

Just 1381 so far. Went back in after the gala for lining. 1346 has now gone in for a repaint in to lined olive too.

IMG_8690 by Dan Bennett posted Sep 26, 2025 at 3:14 PM

 

Wow! Didn’t realise to they were going into SR livery. Can we have the M7 in green to match please? (And a restored Maunsell brake would be nice to complete the set).

 

"Open your wallet and say after me - HELP YOURSELF!"

 

brilliant news that the engine shed/turntable and the road bridge are now listed as Grade 2 structure :

“Two further sites have been listed at Grade II along the Swanage Railway heritage line: Swanage Engine Shed and Turntable, and Northbrook Road overbridge. The construction of Swanage Railway in 1885 contributed to the widespread use of Purbeck stone, and to the development of Swanage as a seaside destination.”


https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/news/new-sites-listed-200-years-railway/

 

What a silly comment. We can all have our dreams, that’s what this hobby is all about. And who says I haven’t contributed to the SR heritage carriage funds?

 

Yes it was silly deliberately - hence the winking emoji. However, if you hadn't heard of this well-known phrase before so didn't recognise the humorous nature of it, then I'm sorry.
Finally, everyone has dreams and aspirations of course. Unfortunately, as I'm sure you realise, without the influx of substantial funding one's dreams have a habit of remaining unfulfilled.

 

Dreams can come true. The B van at Corfe is also being painted into Maunsell olive green to act as break van for the two TO's.
As for the M7, unfortunately it's membership has already voted on BR black as I understand.

 

Shame. 31 years since it first ran in preservation it has only ever run in black livery. Time for a change surely.

At least we have the T9 in SR green to look forward to one day.

 

Amazing news that the B van is being painted. Is the plan to have a 2 car classic set then?

Also SR Facebook says they need 100 members to vote on Sat 11th October. Does anyone know what this is. Sounds very very important ?

 

AGM and restructuring proposals, plus the usual Trustee elections.

Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk

 

Impressive piece of (brand new?) kit arrived today.
No idea if it is on hire or on test.

 

Agreement has been reached with Balfour Beatty, apparently, for this relatively new tamper DR 73957 (EVN / RIV / POV number:99 70 9123 028-1) to be based on the railway so that staff training can be undertaken without the main line restrictions of Network Rail [Green Zone working in possessions, etc., etc.].
I've been informed that it is a Plasser Unimat 08 4X4 Tamper: https://www.plasser.co.uk/en/machines-sy...-08-4x4-4s which was also photographed on display at the International Exhibition for Track Technology in Munster on 21st May this year in full Balfour Beatty Rail Services livery: https://www.ontrackplant.com/otp/73957 Sorry it's not in SR Olive Green
Seemingly it has all the 'bells & whistles' that any tamper operator could wish for!

 

'B' van S385 had been used as the Heritage Carriage & Wagon group's store.
Once refurbished and repainted [don't think they were ever lined out like carriages - well before my time!] it will enable three vehicles to operate in passenger service all painted in SR Olive Green. A first for Swanage Railway ?
Presumably there will have to be a ticket inspector rostered at all times for passenger safety, etc. as there are no corridor connections on the 'B' van.
Also, let's hope the Guard's compartment has a working radiator plumbed in to the steam heat pipe otherwise Daddsie71b won't be making himself available during it's winter workings

 

No doubt that will be desirable, but several railways operate non-corridor coaches and they seem to manage ok without a TTI in each compartment...