Swanage Railway General Discussion

Balfour Beatty tamper DR 73955 (nearest the camera) arrived only recently and has yet to undergo much of it's 'snagging and commissioning' work.
DR 73957 (furthest from camera) arrived late last year and has completed it's 'snagging, commissioning and staff training' work over the ensuing several weeks. With training of staff completed in large part using DR 73057 it is hoped that DR 73955 can be finalised quite quickly.

Whether Balfour Beatty's two other new tampers [they bought four !] will be coming to Swanage I have no idea at the moment.

As it has yet to receive the necessary bogie modifications, DR 73957 is being towed back to Plasser & Theurer in West Ealing tomorrow.
0Z60 0632 Eastleigh TRSMD to Norden/Corfe Castle https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R30503/2026-01-26/detailed
After a crew PNB - 6Q60 0928 Corfe Castle to Plasser & Theurer West Ealing Sidings https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R30504/2026-01-26/detailed Presumably two DB Class 66s top 'n tail will be used just as happened when it arrived on the Swanage Railway way back on 29th September 2025.
Once uncoupled from DR 73957 the DB locos form 0Z66 1741 Plasser & Theurer West Ealing Sidings [light engines] to Acton T.C. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R30506/2026-01-26/detailed

Incidentally, Car 14 was scheduled to journey to Ramparts' site, at Barrow Hill, on 19th January for Winter maintenance and refurbishment before return and entry into service. Any idea on which way round it will face this time?

 

A 50% guess, but I think it will stay the way it is as, it is facing away from the sun in the afternoon when used for cream teas. If you remember they were nicknamed glass houses for a reason

 

A couple of images charting the progress being made on the embankment at HX, despite the less than helpful weather down here.
First image January 22, second one this morning.

 

Blimey, are they digging a canal?

 

No, essential canal material is being air dropped on the site

 

67.027 due to run tomorrow (3rd Feb) for ETH testing on the Swanage Railway. <BJ>

0Z67 07:05 Westbury Down T.C. to Swanage
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R31780/2026-02-03/detailed

 

Seen on a miserable day at Corfe Castle.
The on loco "branding" was a surprise.

Going back tomorrow
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R31994/2026-02-04/detailed

 

That «Operations Response» graphic looks like it’s been applied at an angle.

 

Forthcoming visit of the "INSPIRATION" train to Corfe Castle for three days:
Sunday 15th
Light engine move to Derby R.T.C. to collect 5 coach rake: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service...5/detailed
Train to Eastleigh East Yard (top and tailed GBRf Class 66s ?): https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service...5/detailed

Monday 16th
Eastleigh East Yard to Corfe Castle (Swanage Railway) [original intention had been to bring it in Sunday night I believe): https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service...6/detailed
After stabling stock, Light Engine movement back to Eastleigh: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service...6/detailed

Wednesday 18th
Light Engine movement to Swanage Railway: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service...8/detailed
Train to MHR Alton : https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service...8/detailed

In addition to planned steam trains there will be DMU shuttle services on all three days, between Norden and Corfe, so that visitors can park at the adjacent Purbeck Park car park [no parking available at Corfe station]. Just click on one of the 3 days [16/17/18 Feb] for the public timetable : https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/calendar
Ticket price includes free entry to exhibition.

 

The old Wessex Bell bar car has just arrived at Midsomer Norton. I am led to belive now only the Kitchin (which they use during Galas) and the brake car are the only coaches remaining from the Wessex Bell?

Any news on anything else they will be sold this year? Looking at the Fleet list x-Norden RMB Mk 1 1865 looks to be in a very bad state at Harmans Cross.


We are now nearly mid-way through Febuary 2026, any further updates with the 3TC set which was ment to be starting 'late 2025-early 2026'?

 

Have they removed return tickets for 2026?

I see £14 single tickets and the £27 freedom of the line.

The 'Half price# tickets for Dorset people this weekend are £13.75, so half of the £27 ticket. If they have removed the £20 return that is a HUGE price increase and clearly not aiming for increase passenger flow

 

Driving trailer 76725 is as far as I know still at Barrow Hill, along with 33111, Does anyone know the current status of either of them?

 

As far as I remember a return ticket was £22 last year and a freedom was £32.50.
Proving my memory correct this seems to confirm it. No idea what the on line prices were as 1) pre booking never interests me 2) I have a season ticket anyway.
So some may have gone up some may have gone down, or the website may not be fully up to date as it does not say if these are on the day or in advance prices anyway.
Still it gave you another stick to beat the railway with, something you seem to enjoy.

 

Has Manston been tarted up over the winter or is it still weathered?

 

Taken on Jan 22 and still visible in the same location on the Swanage webcam this morning.

 

Has been clean for nearly a year now

 

Is there any chance of the loco being allowed to weather again? Many of us enjoyed seeing a loco that gave a true feel to the rail scene of the 1960s. [BJ]

 

Although I would argue but the modern standard of "museum look" locos Manston is still the most genuine looking loco to reflect the end of steam era (or as I remember it steam generally).

 

I assume the DMU is having a bit of an "off day" today as it seems to be losing time on every trip.