Swanage Railway General Discussion

The core business is Norden - Swanage .
Anything that affects the operation/frequency/income and profit is not in the railways interest.

 

From passing by yesterday it appears some of the track has been lifted (since the last gala) in the Furzebrook site and it has been turned into a car parkin area.

 

That's what I find puzzling about this recent "development". The railway couldn't make a regular mainline connection work, why would a short extension to the middle of nowhere be attractive to passengers? It'll give a longer run, but for what benefit?

 

I would not think the idea is to give a longer run (although I have no knowledge) but purely to serve Blue Pool. That to me means you are looking at those staying in Swanage, HX or Corfe as there would be no reason to park at Norden and go by train and walk when you could just drive there. Although if you are on holiday down here it would likely be with a car and the same argument may apply.
But if you do not try you do not know, and there will be no external operating costs, unlike Wareham.

 

A google found https://bluepooltearooms.co.uk/ - I wonder if there's a tie in deal that would benefit the railway?

 

I am casting my mind back to the London meeting many moons ago hosted by Messrs. Goltz and Svoboda (?), which launched the idea of saving the Swanage branch. Blue Pool was mentioned as an attraction which could be served by the railway.
Pat

 

I do struggle to find custom for this additional service (desperately hope to be proved wrong)
Off peak entrance to Blue Pool per adult is £7.50 Visit - The Blue Pool Nature Reserve & Tearooms
Detrain at Corfe to catch the shuttle, of which the railway must have an additional fare, Get off at Blue Pool halt and walk a distance to the entrance.
Alternatively, drive to Blue Pool, park for free, pay entrance fee, save £20 plus per adult..

 

If staying at Swanage it could be another train trip to a beautiful location. The new lights evening at the pool looks good especially if it could be fitted in with an evening train?. For train and mining history enthusiasts there is also parts of the Furzebrook Railway to find.

 

Unfortunately true, even the satellite view shows some lifted track, and the connection to the site has been severed for several years anyway but that's why I described it as pie in the sky! Unlikely to ever happen, but a fun "What if" to think about.

 

Looking up the Perenco Wytch Farm site
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wytch_Farm
The previous owners BP were sympathetic and donated to the Swanage Railway. They were going to wind down oil operations in 2016 (when the sidings might have been handed to the SR?). But in 2011 sold the oil operations to Perenco, who ,with the oil line pipes, extended the operation to 2037.
If they close the site in 2037 there does not seem to be any agreement in place what will happen to to the sidings and the rest of the Wytch Farm site? There is some who want the site returned to wildlife, Maybe others back to a farm or (developers?) housing?

The Swanage Railway does not currently seem to need the sidings. The current oil operation and new car park extension should not affect plans for through trains from the mainline like the Railway 200 Exhibition Train in Corfe on February 16th, or the proposed new platform for the Blue Pool.

 

Why would something that is not currently part of the railway impact on the link to the National Network?

 

Looking at the satellite maps image there seems to be some points left on the main track leading to the sidings, but the lifted track and new private car park has no impact.
The clay works on the other side of the tracks also has points and track, and they have allowed storage of a loco (31625?).
Neither the oil or clay operations are likely to use rail freight anymore (but not impossible)

 

Belated thanks for the explanation. Much appreciated.

 

Any trial operation to Blue Pool this year is just that - a trial to assess if there's a chance that it is worth investing money to have some form of permanent arrangements in the future.
To keep costs down, I suspect the platform may be of scaffolding and planking to required standards and a Corfe Castle - Norden - Blue Pool DMU shuttle has been mentioned to me.
The public footpath may need improvement but that will be for Blue Pool to sort out I guess as it seems to be over their land.
Whether this DMU shuttle can be fitted in Gala timetables to Bridge 4 has not been mentioned in my hearing so haven't a clue if this is possible or practicable.
Regarding Furzebrook. Perenco have a reasonable number of office workers there. They would not appreciate nor tolerate noisy railway activities on the sidings such as shunting let alone repairs and restorations. The cost of a sound proof building over a useful part of the site would be somewhat horrendous I would have thought - and it's money the railway cannot afford for the foreseeable future.
On another point, Perenco's existing lease [which they took over from BP] from Dorset Council still has a clause in it, I believe, requiring them to clear the site and restore it to heathland once they finish their business there. So far as I can remember this tends to bring all discussions to a shuddering halt. No sign of that vital clause being watered down/removed as yet.

 

It’s not just a longer run though, it’s not the middle of nowhere. Blue Pool is a bit of a tourist attraction, so it gives another destination for visitors to the railway to visit, and potentially generate extra income.

The Swanage Railway is already unique in running from a seaside resort to a tourist attraction. Many visitors already tie their train ride in with a visit to the Sea or Corfe Castle. Adding an extra tourist attraction into the mix is a logical step for the railway.

Will it be successful? Well that’s what the trial will establish. However running to Blue Pool
is a very different kettle of fish to the massive costs involved in running over the mainline in the Wareham trial.

 

S

Since the line is now the Swanage Railway, a larger portion of its business starts at Swanage. Even though customers drive past Norden and park in Swanage, negating what we originally worked so hard to set up. A railway though the Purbeck's, Oh! The Purbeck Line. This was marketed when we ran to Herston and Harmans Cross, yet now that we serve the Purbeck's, we are the Swanage Railway.