Swanage Railway General Discussion

I'm in the Canaries from January to March

 

First job is lifting and lining the Purbeck mining museums operating line, before heading off toward Goathorn...................

 

With National Trust allowing Studland Beach to 'change with the tides' now I wondered if the Ferry Road might come under seaward attack.
In which case, perhaps the Museum should be prepared to run a 'Road Replacement Service' between Norden and the chain ferry? This route only has to run across the Arne Peninsula and possibly create a new 'hazard' for Isle of Purbeck Golf Club members!!
Now wouldn't that be fun!

 

The Railway is obviously paying you too much

 

The Bluebell ran a similar brake (C van No 404) with their SR 100 seaters back in the early 2000s. I understand that the yellow on the sides indicate that it has a stove to keep the guard toastie in winter.


Peter

 

They have tripled my wages......

 

Is the restoration of a Maunsell brake coach anywhere on the radar? I realise that Bulleid 4366 is the current focus of attention.

 

Authorised by ORR 2 weeks ago.
Plasser 08-4X4/4S -ORR authorisation letter 15 September 2025
Pat

 

Not sure we have one

 

There are actually three, although I believe only one still retains its body. Only the underframes remain for 2768 (6 Comp BTK, stored in Cripple Creek) and 6697 (6 Comp BCK, stored in Woodpecker). 6699 is stored offsite with several other coaches, and I believe the intention at some point in the future is to have 6699 and 1323 overhauled to form a push-pull set to run with the M7.

 

I seem to remember the body of 2768 was dismantled as in poor condition, but parts retained to enable a potential rebuild in future.

The railway also has a LSWR Ironclad third, which could potentially be a good addition to the Maunsell set.

A long way to go with a lot of these coaches, but look how far the railway has come. From being solely MK1 not so long ago, to the Maunsells, Bulleids and observation car running now.

 

Some of the wood from one of the coaches emerged from an LSWR/SR 8 plank wagon (59342) when that was being emptied to begin its overhaul last year. Not sure where it ended up after that.

 

My bad, of course you are right. The two ex Chipmans coaches are fragile as years of acidic weedkiller has done it's worst on the underframes.

 

That would have been from 6697.

 

Normally with the heritage coaches it’s been a one in one out restoration, with the brilliant news the bulleid brake should be back mid October what is next ?

In terms of easier projects it leaves ONLY the bulleid TSO (which is used as a workshop, and then the maunsell TSO plus brake push pull coaches to restore.

Is the plan to do the 2 car push pull next as the M7 is returning is it 2026 or 2027?

As stated above the other 2/3 maunsell are frames only and will probably only ever be used for parts I’m guessing ??

Extra 3 heritage cars really is all the railway needs and that provides 1 set of coaches with rotation and a 2nd mark 1 set.

What is happening with the pre grouping coaches, are they protected from the weather? Prehaps it’s better to take up abit of space in the carriage shed so at least it’s covered

 

You also have Bulleid Brake 4365 which is currently stored at Margate, and I believe Car 14 is going to have an overhaul starting this winter.

The only bogie pre-grouping coach is the previously mentioned LSWR Ironclad Third, which is currently stored undercover off site. The rest are 4/6 wheel grounded bodies which are in various places around the railway.

 

Does look like the M7 (from the FB page) will return this autumn and be ready for 2026. It could run with the 2 Maunsell coaches to represent the train that ran on the branch line for many years, but will probably be used with 4 or 5 coaches to make it it viable on the heritage SR?
A push pull carriage on a steam train is pictured on the SR trust website.

The Maunsell BCK Push/Pull 6699 might soon start to be restored.
Hopefully have the history right (people like Peter will correct if wrong), push pull operation with an M7 started 1960 with a carriage conversion (to save costs with a turnround?), then was replaced 1967 with a Thumper DEMU till 1972. So steam Push Pull only lasted 7 years?

From earlier discussions the push pull kit on the M7 was removed and scrapped, so will be quite an effort over several years to rebuild with carriage 6699, for it to be used as a push pull 2 coach train occasionally?

 

I think looking at my SR book, M7 push pull didn't last until end of steam and the classic M7 were replaced with 2MT etc which had to run around. Wiki ( which isn't fully trusted) said M7s lasted until 1964? It also stated air push pull were fitted to M7s between 1930-1937 with original push pull from 1913.

Dose anyone know know when the M7 started serving the Swanage Branch. It was opened in 1885 so the branch probably only have a few 2-4 steam engine generations before the M7 ran

 

Back in the mist of time, there was discussion as to the feasibility of a EP braking system and air control.